Contact

About

Shopify Plus Agency

Ready to elevate your ecommerce brand?Get in touch with us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@underwaterpistol.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">info@underwaterpistol.com</a>or call&nbsp;<a href="tel:+442034677614" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">+44 203 467 7614</a>.<h4> </h4>

Shopify Plus

Work

Blog

Design

Development

Shopify Plus migration

Subscription

AI consultancy

Branding

Loyalty

Tech stack consultancy

Charlie Semmence

In August 2024, Checkout Extensibility will replace checkout.liquid as the exclusive method for Shopify Plus merchants to customise their checkout experience, offering enhanced security, improved conversion rates, and a more streamlined user experience. To make the most of this opportunity, maintain existing customisations, and avoid disruptions that could impact conversions and customer satisfaction, merchants need to carefully manage their migration to Checkout Extensibility. This guide is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools to make a seamless transition, and to make the most of the conversion-boosting features Checkout Extensibility enables.
 
<h3>Contents</h3>
 <a href="#why-checkout-extensibility">Why Checkout Extensibility?</a> <a href="#features-of-checkout-extensibility">Key features of Checkout Extensibility</a> <a href="#essential-deadlines">Essential deadlines</a> <a href="#step-by-step-guide">Step-by-step transition guide</a> <a href="#key-takeaways">Key takeaways</a> <a href="#conclusion">Conclusion</a>
 
<h2 id="why-checkout-extensibility">Why Checkout Extensibility?</h2>
 Shopify's Checkout Extensibility addresses several critical limitations of the older checkout.liquid method, providing a modern solution for advanced functionalities and checkout aesthetics. Here are some key reasons why transitioning to Checkout Extensibility is essential for <a href="https://www.underwaterpistol.com/shopify-plus-agency" target="_blank">Shopify Plus merchants</a>: Overcoming limitations of the old system: checkout.liquid allowed for a certain degree of customisation - but at a cost. It required direct coding, which limited merchants without in-house technical resources. Moreover, maintaining these customisations was cumbersome, as they needed frequent updates to stay in sync with Shopify’s evolving platform. Enhanced customisation capabilities: Checkout Extensibility opens up a wider array of customisation options, from visual enhancements to functional upgrades. Merchants can now tailor the checkout experience to better align with their brand identity and meet specific customer needs, without deep technical expertise. Streamlined user experience: Shopify prides itself on its persistent focus on maximising conversions at checkout, which is why the platform converts <a href="https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/blog/shopify-checkout" target="_blank">up to 36% better than its competitors</a>. With the introduction of features like one-page checkout and more intuitive UI components, Checkout Extensibility aims to streamline the checkout process, leading to <a href="https://www.underwaterpistol.com/shopify-plus-agency/conversion-rate-optimisation-cro" target="_blank">higher conversion rates</a> and an enhanced customer experience. Increased security and stability: By running in a sandboxed environment, Checkout Extensibility minimises the risk of bugs and security issues, which can affect your store’s performance and credibility. This secure environment ensures that the checkout process is more stable and safer for both merchants and customers. Future-proofing your business: As Shopify continues to roll out updates and new features, Checkout Extensibility ensures that merchants can easily adopt these enhancements without significant overhauls or downtime. This readiness for future updates keeps your store at the cutting edge of ecommerce capabilities, and the forefront of your industry.
<h2 id="features-of-checkout-extensibility">
<img alt="Shopify's Checkout Extensibility" src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1472/1782/files/Checkout_Extensibility_Shopify_image_1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1717401083" data-mce-fragment="1" data-mce-src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1472/1782/files/Checkout_Extensibility_Shopify_image_1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1717401083"> 
</h2>
<h2>Key features of Checkout Extensibility</h2>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>
Shopify's Checkout Extensibility brings a suite of powerful features that empower merchants with greater flexibility and control over how their store operates. Here's a closer look at these key features: Checkout extensions: Extending the functionality of your checkout can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and potentially increase sales. Checkout Extensions allow merchants to insert custom components at various points in the checkout flow. This could include FAQs to answer common questions, upsell modules to encourage additional purchases, and trust badges to reassure customers and reduce cart abandonment rates. These extensions are designed to be flexible and can be tailored to fit the specific needs and branding of any store. Checkout branding: Through the use of a drag-and-drop editor, Checkout Extensibility makes it easier than ever for merchants to customise the look and feel of their checkout pages. This tool eliminates the need for complex coding, enabling brands to modify everything from colours and fonts to the layout of checkout elements. Integrated analytics: Understanding customer behaviour during checkout is crucial for optimising the process and <a href="https://www.underwaterpistol.com/shopify-plus-agency/conversion-rate-optimisation-cro" target="_blank">increasing conversions</a>. Checkout Extensibility integrates advanced analytics that track customer actions from the moment they begin their checkout journey to the final purchase confirmation. This data is vital for identifying drop-off points and other issues that could be hindering sales. With better analytics, merchants can make informed decisions about how to modify their checkout experience to keep customers engaged and more likely to complete their purchases. Shopify Functions: Set to replace Shopify Scripts in August 2025, <a href="https://www.shopify.com/uk/enterprise/blog/shopify-functions" target="_blank">Shopify Functions</a> will allow merchants to customise and extend the default business logic of Shopify’s platform, including pricing rules, discounts, and shipping options. Merchants can already begin using Shopify Functions to create tailored solutions that address specific operational needs without compromising on performance. This feature enables merchants to streamline operations, offer better deals, and improve customer satisfaction by implementing custom business logic directly within the Shopify ecosystem. Each of these Checkout Extensibility features enhances the merchant's control over their online store while personalising and <a href="https://www.underwaterpistol.com/shopify-plus-agency/ux-design-and-research" target="_blank">streamlining the shopping experience</a> for customers. This can lead to higher conversion rates, increased customer loyalty, and ultimately, greater ecommerce success.
<h2 id="essential-deadlines">
 Essential deadlines
</h2>
 Shopify will disable checkout.liquid in two key stages. On the 13th August 2024, Information, Shipping and Payment pages will be turned off. On the 28th August 2025, Thank You pages, Order Status pages and apps using script tags and additional scripts will be turned off. To avoid losing existing customisations, Shopify Plus merchants must have transitioned to Checkout Extensibility by August 2024.
<h2 id="step-by-step-guide">
 Step-by-step transition guide</h2>
 Transitioning to Shopify's Checkout Extensibility is a significant step that can dramatically improve your store's functionality and customer experience. To ensure a smooth transition, it’s crucial to follow a structured approach. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this process:
<h3>
 Initial assessment</h3>
 
<ul>
<li>
Review current customisations
Start by listing all the customisations you’ve made with checkout.liquid. Identify which features are critical to your store’s operation and which might be replaced or enhanced by Checkout Extensibility’s new features. This will involve a manual review of the visual elements of your checkout, but also the <a href="https://www.underwaterpistol.com/shopify-plus-agency/development" target="_blank">code</a>.
</li>
<li>
Evaluate business impact
Assess the impact of each customisation on your business processes and customer experience. This will help prioritise the features you need to focus on during the migration.
</li>
<li>
Consult stakeholders
Engage with stakeholders, including your tech team, customer service, and marketing departments, to understand their needs and expectations from the checkout process.
</li>
</ul>
 
<h3>Building your new checkout</h3>
 
<ul>
<li>
Leverage new tools
Utilise the drag-and-drop editor to <a href="https://www.underwaterpistol.com/shopify-plus-agency/design" target="_blank">visually design</a> your checkout, as well as Thank You and Order Status pages. Experiment with different layouts and styles to see what best fits your brand.
</li>
<li>
Utilise checkout extensions
Determine which extensions can enhance your checkout process. For instance, add upsell modules or trust badges as needed to increase conversions and build customer trust.
</li>
<li>
Set up your Pixels
If you've been using checkout.liquid to track customer events, you need to replace it with Pixels before publishing your new checkout.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Testing and optimisation</h3>
 
<ul>
<li>
Conduct thorough testing
Test every aspect of the new checkout process in a controlled environment. Pay special attention to the integration points and the functionality of new extensions.
</li>
<li>
Gather feedback
Use feedback from both users and internal testers to refine the checkout experience. Ensure that the process is intuitive and aligns with customer expectations.
</li>
<li>
Optimise for performance
Monitor the performance of the new checkout system, focusing on load times, transaction processing, and responsiveness across different devices.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Going live</h3>
 
<ul>
<li>
Plan the rollout
Decide on a rollout strategy that minimises disruption to your customers, operations and business. Consider a phased approach where you gradually introduce changes to your customer base.
</li>
<li>
Monitor post-launch performance
After going live, continuously monitor the new system to identify any issues. Keep an eye on analytics to understand how changes impact user behaviour and conversion rates.
</li>
<li>
Post-launch support
Ensure you have technical support ready to address any questions or issues that arise after the transition. Whether it's troubleshooting, making necessary adjustments, or optimising new features, having expert assistance readily available is essential for maximising post-launch success.
</li>
</ul>
By following these steps, you can ensure that transitioning to Checkout Extensibility is as smooth and beneficial as possible, setting your store up for continued success under the new system.
<h2 id="key-takeaways">
 Key takeaways
</h2>
 
<ul>
<li>
The importance of early planning
With the August 2024 deadline fast approaching, beginning your migration from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility as soon as possible is crucial. Proactive planning allows for a smoother transition, with ample time for testing and optimisation to ensure everything works seamlessly.
</li>
<li>
The benefits of Checkout Extensibility
Shopify’s robust new checkout framework offers enhanced customisation, security, stability, user experience and conversion rates. It represents a significant upgrade over the previous checkout.liquid system, promising a more adaptable and dynamic platform.
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="conclusion">
 Conclusion
</h2>
 As we've outlined in this guide, Shopify’s Checkout Extensibility offers a robust array of features designed to elevate your checkout process - ranging from customisable branding options and dynamic extensions to integrated analytics and forward-looking Shopify Functions.
 Being proactive about the transition to Checkout Extensibility is essential for Shopify Plus merchants to ensure no customisations are lost, minimise the risk of disruption and maximise the conversion- and satisfaction-boosting opportunities Checkout Extensibility presents.

Mastering Checkout Extensibility: A guide for Shopify Plus merchants