Note: This article covers BASE, an e-commerce platform available only in Japan. This will not be relevant if you are not evaluating platforms for the Japanese market.
"BASE" is a popular service that lets you start an online shop for free. Beyond shop design and product management, it offers plenty of features that are convenient for sellers, including a "blog feature," a "pre-order feature," and a "launch announcement feature."
This time, we've put together an easy-to-understand summary of each feature's characteristics, what it can and can't do, and the specific setup steps.
About BASE's Blog
What You Can Do with BASE's Blog Feature
Scheduled Posting (Timed Publishing) Is Possible
You can schedule the publish date and time for a blog article.
Pinning a Specific Article Is Possible
By checking "Pin this article," you can pin the article's title to the top of the article list or to the shop's top page.
Text Formatting and File Insertion Are Possible in the Article Body
BASE's blog feature allows for the following types of formatting and file insertion.
Emphasis with Bold or Italic Text
You can make selected text bold or italic to emphasize it.
Setting Headings
You can add headings within an article using the h tag.
Embedding Videos
You can embed YouTube or Vimeo videos using their URL.
Embedding Images
You can insert any image you like.
Setting Text Links
You can turn specified text into a hyperlink that links to any page.
Pasting in Products
You can paste shop products directly into a blog article.
What You Can't Do with BASE's Blog Feature
Only the h3 Tag Can Be Used for Headings
The only heading tag available in the blog feature is h3 — you cannot freely choose and set any heading level from h1 to h6.
Not All Features Are Available from a Smartphone
From a smartphone, you can only post a photo with a short comment, or text-only posts; everything else can only be done from a PC.
You Cannot Write Blog Articles Over 10,000 Characters
There is a character limit of 50 characters for the title and 10,000 characters for the body text.
You Cannot Upload Images Over 4MB
Each image has a size limit of under 4MB.
*There is no limit on the number of images you can include.
You Cannot Set a Thumbnail Image on Its Own
The thumbnail image for a blog article is automatically set to the first image inserted into the body text.
You Cannot Edit HTML Directly
Unlike WordPress or Shopify's blog feature, you cannot create blog articles using HTML directly. As a result, you cannot display tables, buttons, quotes, blog cards, tables of contents, and the like.
You Cannot Change the URL of a Blog Article
A URL is automatically generated for blog articles created on BASE. The generated URL cannot be changed.
How to Create a Blog Article on BASE
Step 1. Install the Blog App
To create blog articles on BASE, you need to install the Blog app (free).
Step 2. Write the Blog Article
Once you've installed the Blog app, hover over "Apps" in the header menu, then click "Blogs" from the menu that appears.
Once you open the Blog app, click "Create Article."
Once the editor screen appears, enter the title and body text of your blog article.
Step 3. Publish the Blog Article
Once you've finished writing the blog article, publish it by choosing "Publish Now" or "Scheduled Post" from "Post."
With that, creating your blog article is complete.
About BASE's Pre-Order Feature
What You Can Do with BASE's Pre-Order Feature
You Can Display the Expected Shipping Date
The expected shipping start date and expected shipping completion date entered when configuring pre-order settings are automatically displayed on the pre-order product's product page.
You Can Change the Cart Button to "Pre-Order"
For products with pre-order settings applied, the cart button automatically switches to the wording "Pre-Order."
What You Can't Do with BASE's Pre-Order Feature
You Cannot Set Pre-Orders by Variant
For example, if a product has size variants S, M, and L, you cannot set up pre-orders for only the size S variant.
You Cannot Set Conditional Pre-Orders
You cannot run pre-orders based on conditions such as being out of stock or a specific time period. Once pre-order settings are applied, the product is always treated as a pre-order.
You Cannot Change the Wording
The expected shipping date and cart button wording that are automatically displayed on a pre-order product cannot be changed.
How to Run a Pre-Order on BASE
Step 1. Install the Pre-Order App
Source: Pre-Order App | BASE Apps
To run pre-orders on BASE, you need to install the Pre-Order app (free).
Step 2. Configure Pre-Order Settings
Once you've installed the Pre-Order app, hover over "Apps" in the header menu, then click "Pre-Orders" from the menu that appears.
Once you open the Pre-Order app, click "Register Pre-Order Settings."
Once you access the pre-order settings screen, select the products you want to run pre-orders for from the product selection section, and set the expected shipping start date and expected shipping completion date (optional). Once all settings are complete, click "Save Settings."
With that, your pre-order settings are complete.
Once you've configured the settings in this section, the relevant product will, as shown in the attached image below, display its expected shipping date and have its cart button changed to "Pre-Order."
About BASE's Launch Announcement Feature
What You Can Do with BASE's Launch Announcement Feature
You Can Display the Expected Launch Date
The launch start date and time set in the Selling Period Settings app is automatically displayed on the product page.
You Can Change the Cart Button to a "Notify Me at Launch" Button
For products with a launch announcement applied, the cart button automatically switches to a "Notify Me at Launch" button.
What You Can't Do with BASE's Launch Announcement Feature
You Cannot Set a Launch Announcement by Variant
For example, if a product has size variants S, M, and L, you cannot set a launch announcement for only the size S variant.
You Cannot Change the Wording
The expected launch date and "Notify Me at Launch" button wording that are automatically displayed on a product cannot be changed.
How to Run a Launch Announcement on BASE
Step 1. Install the Selling Period Settings App
Source: Selling Period Settings App | BASE Apps
To run a launch announcement on BASE, you need to install the Selling Period Settings app (free).
Step 2. Configure the Selling Period Settings
Once you've installed the Selling Period Settings app, hover over "Apps" in the header menu, then click "Selling Period Settings" from the menu that appears.
Once you open the Selling Period Settings app, click "Register Selling Period."
Once you access the selling period registration screen, select the products you want to run a launch announcement for from the product selection section, and set the launch start date and time.
In the product page's publish settings, select "Publish in launch-announcement status," then click "Register."
With that, your launch announcement settings are complete.
Once you've configured the settings in this section, the relevant product will, as shown in the attached image below, display its expected launch date and time and have its cart button switched to a "Notify Me at Launch" button.
Summary
BASE offers three convenient features: a blog feature, a pre-order feature, and a launch announcement feature. Each has its own characteristics and limitations, but simply installing the app and completing a few easy settings can significantly broaden the scope of your shop operations. In particular, "pre-orders" and "launch announcements" let you control the timing of product sales and are effective for building anticipation among your fans. Be sure to make use of them to expand what's possible with your shop.
The blog article below goes into detail about the differences between BASE, Shopify, and STORES. Please use it as a reference when choosing a cart system.
For a comparison focused on just BASE and Shopify, see the following article.
