Yes, it is quite common for entrepreneurs and businesses to launch a website and test the market before placing a large inventory order. This approach allows them to gauge customer interest, validate their product or service, and minimize the risk of investing in a large inventory that may not sell.

Here are a few examples and references to support this strategy:

1. Dropshipping: Many e-commerce entrepreneurs start by dropshipping products. Dropshipping is a business model where the seller doesn't keep the products in stock. Instead, they partner with a supplier who fulfills the orders directly to the customers. This allows the entrepreneur to test the market and generate sales without investing in inventory upfront. Once they identify the demand and validate their product, they can then consider placing a large inventory order.

2. Kickstarter and Indiegogo: Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo are popular for launching innovative products and testing market demand. Entrepreneurs create a campaign, showcase their product idea, and offer pre-orders to potential customers. If the campaign is successful and reaches its funding goal, the entrepreneur can then proceed to manufacture and fulfill the orders.

3. Pre-sales: Many businesses offer pre-sales or pre-orders to gauge customer interest before investing in inventory. This approach is commonly seen in the fashion industry, where designers showcase their upcoming collections, take pre-orders, and produce the items based on the demand received. By doing so, they can avoid overstocking or producing items that may not sell well.

4. Minimum Viable Product (MVP): The concept of an MVP is widely used in the startup world. It involves launching a basic version of a product or service to test the market and gather feedback from early adopters. By doing this, businesses can validate their idea and make necessary improvements before investing heavily in inventory or scaling operations.

It's important to note that while testing the market before buying large inventory can be beneficial, it also comes with its own challenges. Some potential drawbacks include longer lead times for customers, managing customer expectations, and the need for efficient supply chain management. However, by carefully planning and executing this strategy, businesses can minimize risks and make informed decisions based on real market feedback.

References:
- Shopify: How to Test and Validate Your Product Ideas Before Going All In - https://www.shopify.com/blog/validate-product-ideas
- Oberlo: How to Start a Dropshipping Business in 2021 - https://www.oberlo.com/blog/what-is-dropshipping
- Kickstarter: How It Works - https://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter%20basics