Shopify Plus Launchpad Guide: Schedule Sales and Product Drops Like a Pro
Running a sale or launching a new product takes a lot of work. You need to change prices. Update your theme. Publish products. Track results. And you need to do it all at exactly the right time.
Shopify Plus Launchpad handles this for you. It schedules everything in advance. When your event starts, changes happen automatically. You can focus on marketing instead of clicking buttons.
This guide shows you how to use Launchpad. You will learn what it can do, see use cases, and discover best practices.
What is Shopify Plus Launchpad?
Launchpad is an automation tool for Shopify Plus merchants. It schedules events like sales, product launches, and campaigns.
Think of it as a command center for big moments. You set everything up ahead of time. Launchpad executes it perfectly on schedule.
Key things Launchpad does:
- Changes product prices at a set time
- Publishes products to sales channels
- Switches your store theme
- Updates inventory quantities
- Applies collection discounts
- Locks your store before events
- Tracks results in real time
Launchpad is included with Shopify Plus at no extra cost.
Common Use Cases
Here is how stores use Launchpad:
Flash Sales
Flash sales create urgency. Prices drop for a limited time.
With Launchpad:
- Set sale prices in advance
- Sale starts and ends exactly when planned
- Prices return to normal automatically
- Track sales during the event
No staying up late to start the sale manually.
Product Launches
New products deserve a big moment. Launchpad makes launches smooth.
What you can do:
- Hide products until launch time
- Publish across all channels at once
- Switch to a launch theme
- Increase inventory when live
Everything goes live together for maximum impact.
Holiday Campaigns
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holidays need coordination.
Launchpad helps:
- Apply holiday discounts
- Change to holiday theme
- Schedule start and end times
- Run multiple events back to back
Plan your holiday season in advance.
Limited Drops
Exclusive product drops build excitement. Launchpad handles the timing.
You can:
- Lock your store to build anticipation
- Release products at exact time
- Manage high traffic moments
- Track how fast things sell
Create the hype your drop deserves.
Anniversary or Themed Events
Special events for your brand or cause work well with Launchpad.
Example: One store ran a Moon Landing anniversary campaign. They automated theme changes, styling updates, and branding. The result was 40% more traffic and 82% more revenue.
Setting Up Your First Event
Here is how to create a Launchpad event:
Step 1: Open Launchpad
In your Shopify admin:
- Go to Apps
- Find and open Launchpad
- Click Create Event
Step 2: Name Your Event
Give your event a clear name like:
- Summer Flash Sale
- New Collection Launch
- Black Friday 2026
A good name helps you find it later.
Step 3: Set Start and End Times
Choose when the event begins and ends:
- Pick a start date and time
- Pick an end date and time
- Use your store timezone
Events must be at least five minutes apart. Leave buffer time between events.
Step 4: Add Products
Select which products are part of the event:
- Click Add Products
- Choose individual products or collections
- Do not add collections with more than 1000 products
For large catalogs, break things into smaller groups.
Step 5: Set Event Pricing
Decide how prices change:
- Fixed Discount: Set exact sale prices
- Percentage Off: Apply discount across all products
- Collection Discount: Discount a whole collection
Prices change when the event starts. They return to normal when it ends.
Step 6: Choose Optional Features
Add extra elements if needed:
- Theme Switch: Use a different theme during the event
- Password Lock: Lock the store before the event
- Inventory Increase: Add stock when event starts
Not every event needs all features.
Step 7: Save and Schedule
Review everything. When ready, schedule the event. Launchpad shows you what will happen and when.
Key Launchpad Features
Let us look at each feature in detail:
Price Changes
This is the most common use. Prices change at event start and revert at event end.
How it works:
- Set discounted prices for products
- Prices update exactly on time
- Original prices return when event ends
- Works with collections or individual products
No manual price editing needed.
Theme Switching
Your store can look different during events.
What you can do:
- Create an event-specific theme
- Use different home page layouts
- Change navigation and menus
- Add campaign-specific images
When the event ends, your normal theme returns.
Product Publishing
Control when products are visible:
- Hide products until launch
- Publish across all channels at once
- Make products visible only during events
- Coordinate with other event elements
Great for product launches and exclusive drops.
Inventory Updates
Manage stock for events:
- Add inventory when event starts
- Track stock during the event
- Plan for high-demand items
- Coordinate with fulfillment
Especially useful for limited releases.
Password Protection
Build anticipation before big events:
- Lock your store before launch
- Show a coming soon page
- Let customers wait for the moment
- Prevent early cart-filling
When the event starts, the password lifts automatically.
Real-Time Analytics
Track how your event performs:
- Total orders during the event
- Revenue generated
- Average order value
- Sales per minute
Watch results as they happen. React quickly if needed.
Best Practices
Use these tips for better events:
Plan Ahead
Do not set up events at the last minute:
- Create events days or weeks early
- Test everything before going live
- Have time to fix problems
- Reduce stress for your team
Rushing leads to mistakes.
Test Your Themes
If you use theme switching:
- Preview the event theme carefully
- Check on mobile devices
- Test all important pages
- Make sure checkout works
A broken theme ruins the event.
Mind the Limits
Know the boundaries:
- Collections should have fewer than 1000 products
- Events must be five minutes apart
- Gift cards cannot be discounted below value
- Some apps may not work with Launchpad
Plan around these limits.
Handle Discount Codes
Customers can still use discount codes during events:
- Codes apply on top of sale prices
- This can lead to deeper discounts than intended
- Consider disabling codes during big sales
- Or accept the extra discount as planned
Decide your policy in advance.
Coordinate with Marketing
Launchpad handles your store. Marketing needs timing too:
- Schedule emails to match event start
- Plan social posts
- Coordinate with paid ads
- Brief customer service on the event
Everything should work together.
Have a Backup Plan
Things can go wrong:
- Know how to cancel an event
- Have someone available during launch
- Prepare customer service responses
- Test high-traffic scenarios
Hope for the best, plan for problems.
Launchpad and Shopify Flow
Launchpad schedules events. Flow adds logic. Together, they are powerful.
What Launchpad Does Well
- Scheduling based on time
- Changing prices and themes
- Publishing products
- Tracking event performance
What Launchpad Cannot Do
- React to real-time conditions
- Make decisions based on stock levels
- Adjust during the event
How Flow Helps
Flow can extend Launchpad:
- If stock runs low, send an alert
- When event ends, trigger follow-up emails
- Tag customers who bought during sale
- Update CRM after event
Use both tools for complete automation.
2025 Updates
Launchpad has improved recently:
- Cleaner Interface: Easier to set up events
- Better Automation: More control over what happens
- More Campaign Control: Finer settings for each element
- Improved Performance: Handles larger events better
Shopify continues to improve the tool.
Important Deadline
The Script Editor is being removed June 30, 2026. If you use scripts with Launchpad:
- Review what scripts you use
- Plan migration to Shopify Functions
- Test replacements before the deadline
- Do not wait until the last minute
This affects checkout scripts especially.
When Launchpad Is Not Enough
Sometimes you need more than Launchpad offers:
Real-Time Decisions
If you need "if this, then that" logic during events, Launchpad alone will not work. Combine it with Flow.
Complex Discount Logic
For discounts that depend on cart contents, customer tags, or other conditions, you may need Shopify Functions.
Multi-Store Events
Coordinating events across multiple stores requires planning. Launchpad works per store.
Highly Custom Experiences
If you need very custom event experiences, development work may be needed beyond Launchpad.
FAQ
Is Launchpad free?
Yes, Launchpad is included with Shopify Plus at no extra cost.
Can I run multiple events at the same time?
Events cannot overlap. Schedule them at least five minutes apart.
What happens if I need to cancel an event?
You can cancel a scheduled event. Already-running events can be ended early. But changes that happened cannot be undone.
Can Launchpad change prices on all products?
Yes, but keep collections under 1000 products. For larger catalogs, split into multiple collections.
Does Launchpad work with discounts codes?
Yes. Customers can use discount codes during events. The code applies on top of event pricing.
Can I preview an event before it goes live?
You can preview theme changes. Price changes and other elements show in the event setup.
How far in advance can I schedule events?
There is no limit. Schedule as far ahead as you like.
Conclusion
Shopify Plus Launchpad takes the stress out of big moments. Flash sales, product launches, and campaigns run smoothly. Everything happens on time, automatically.
Setting up events is straightforward. Choose your timing. Select products. Set prices. Add optional features like theme switches or password locks. Schedule and you are done.
For best results, plan ahead. Test everything. Coordinate with marketing. Have backup plans ready.
Combine Launchpad with Shopify Flow for even more power. Flow handles the logic and conditions. Launchpad handles the scheduling.
Your big events deserve to go perfectly. Launchpad makes that possible. Start planning your next event today and see how much easier it can be.