Boost your ecommerce checkout with Shopify Checkout Extensibility

If your Shopify Plus shop is looking to offer a seamless and personalised checkout experience, then Shopify Checkout Extensibility is the perfect partner for you! This innovative tool allows you to create unique checkout experiences tailored to your brand, without sacrificing security or compatibility with Shopify updates.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is Checkout Extensibility?
• How do I get started with Checkout Extensibility?
• Best practices for maximizing the benefits of Checkout Extensibility
• Additional information for developers

What is Checkout Extensibility?

Simply put, Checkout Extensibility is a set of tools that gives you more control over the look and feel of the checkout process in your Shopify shop. Unlike previous methods such as checkout.liquid, Checkout Extensibility is app-based, which offers several advantages:

1. Secure and tailor-made personalization

• Goodbye code: Say goodbye to complex code editing. With Checkout Extensibility, you customize payment through easy-to-use applications.
• Upgrade protection: Forget about losing your customizations with every Shopify update. Checkout Extensibility keeps them intact.
• Unlimited flexibility: Enjoy a wider range of options to customize your checkout, from design to functionality.

2. Smooth and consistent payment experience

• Multi-page applicability: Implement your customizations on Shipping, Information, Checkout, Thank You, and Order Status pages (for Shopify Plus shops).
• Seamless integration with Shop Pay: Deliver a seamless checkout experience for customers using Shop Pay.

3. A future of possibilities

Checkout Extensibility represents the future of checkout customisation on Shopify. With constant updates and new features on the horizon, the possibilities for creating unique and memorable checkout experiences are endless.

How to get started with Checkout Extensibility?

If you're already a Shopify Plus user, you can start exploring Checkout Extensibility today. Visit Shopify's developer site for guides, resources and examples of how this tool can transform your checkout.

Best practices to maximize the benefits of Checkout Extensibility

Optimize checkout design to improve conversion

• Simplicity first: A simple and clear payment process is the key to a high conversion rate. Eliminate unnecessary fields, use clear language and minimise distractions.
• Attractive visual design: Create a checkout that is visually appealing and in line with your brand identity. Use colours, fonts and images that convey trust and professionalism.
• Optimization for mobile devices: Make sure your checkout is optimised for mobile devices, as a large proportion of purchases are nowadays made from smartphones and tablets.
• A/B testing: Conduct A/B tests for different checkout designs and functionalities to identify what works best for your audience.

Which functionalities to customize first

• Required fields: Start by customising the required checkout fields, such as shipping and billing information. Make sure they are easy to find and complete.
• Payment options: Offer a variety of popular payment options so customers can choose the one that works best for them.
• Personalized messages: Add personalized messages throughout the checkout process to guide customers and build trust.
• Offers and discounts: Leverage Checkout Extensibility to display relevant offers and discounts at checkout, which can increase conversion rates.

Additional advice

• Stay up to date: Shopify is constantly adding new features to Checkout Extensibility. Make sure you stay up to date to take advantage of all the possibilities.
• Use third-party apps: There are a variety of third-party apps available in the Shopify App Store that can help you further customise your checkout.
• Analyze data: Track your checkout data to identify areas of improvement and optimize your personalization strategy.

Remember: The key to getting the most out of Checkout Extensibility is to focus on user experience and improving conversion rates. By following these tips and best practices, you'll be able to create a custom checkout that drives sales for your Shopify shop.

Additional information for developers

Add additional scripts to the checkout

• Shopify Plus only: Adding additional scripts to the checkout process is only available to Shopify Plus users.
• Use cases: Additional scripts are commonly used to:
  • Adding dataLayer
  • Connect GTM
  • Measure pixel events such as Meta and TikTok
  • Add other custom scripts

Changes with Checkout Extensibility

From August 2024, Shopify Plus users will migrate to Checkout Extensibility, which means changes to the way additional scripts are added.

• Connect GTM: GTM code is no longer pasted into checkout.liquid. This must be done via Configuration > Client Events > Custom Pixels > Add Custom Pixel.
• Add dataLayer: This can no longer be done from checkout.liquid.
• Available events: There is a list of available events that can be measured with Checkout Extensibility.
• Debug mode: Currently, there is no debug mode (preview) available when connecting GTM to the checkout with Checkout Extensibility.

Resources for developers

• Checkout Extensibility Documentation
• Checkout Extensibility Migration Guide