A website conversion funnel is a thoughtfully designed path that leads customers through various stages of your Shopify store, starting from the homepage and culminating at the Shopify checkout page. The goal of this funnel is to create a seamless, engaging experience that ultimately encourages conversions.
Given its pivotal role in this journey, optimizing your Shopify checkout page is crucial to ensuring higher conversion rates.
This blog post will provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to customizing your Shopify checkout page. We’ll also share best practices, and real-world examples, highlighting a powerful game-changing feature: the Shopify one-page checkout.
What is A Shopify Checkout Page?
A Shopify checkout page is where customers finalize their purchases. It allows shoppers to review the products in their cart, verify quantities, choose shipping options, and enter payment details. Additionally, this page collects essential information such as billing and shipping addresses to process the order and initiate fulfillment.
As the last stage in the online shopping journey, the Shopify checkout page is crucial for completing transactions. Its primary objective is to offer a smooth and intuitive experience, minimize obstacles, and reduce cart abandonment.
Why Optimize Your Shopify Checkout Page?
Optimizing your Shopify checkout page is essential because it directly impacts conversions, revenue, and customer experience.
- Reduce Cart Abandonment – A complicated or lengthy checkout process often leads to cart abandonment. Streamlining the process with auto-fill options, guest checkout, and clear progress indicators can improve conversion rates.
- Enhance User Experience – A well-optimized Shopify checkout page ensures a smooth and hassle-free experience, reducing frustration and increasing the likelihood of a completed purchase. Mobile-friendly design and multiple payment options further enhance usability.
- Increase Trust and Security – Displaying trust badges, secure payment options, and transparent policies (returns, refunds) reassures customers, reducing hesitation and improving their confidence in purchasing.
- Boost Average Order Value (AOV) – Implementing strategies like upsells, cross-sells, and limited-time offers at checkout can encourage customers to add more to their cart, increasing overall revenue.
18 Powerful Shopify Checkout Customizations
1. Implement a Shopify One-Step Checkout
Shopify’s native one-page checkout helps reduce cart abandonment by streamlining the buying process. Instead of forcing customers through multiple steps, it consolidates everything into a single, frictionless experience.
To maximize conversions, keep the design clean and intuitive. Avoid clutter and only ask for essential details to prevent overwhelming shoppers. Consider using autofill, address validation, and a progress indicator to further enhance the experience.
An effective example of Bellroy’s one-page Shopify checkout.
Bellroy’s one-page Shopify checkout exemplifies an effective, user-friendly design that enhances the purchasing experience. The layout is organized into three distinct columns, each serving a specific function:
- Order Summary: This section provides customers with a clear overview of the items in their cart, including product images, descriptions, quantities, and prices. Such transparency allows shoppers to verify their selections before finalizing the purchase, reducing potential errors and returns.
- Shipping Information: Here, customers input their delivery details. The form is designed for quick completion, with clearly labeled fields and logical sequencing, minimizing the time and effort required to provide necessary information.
- Payment Method: In this column, customers select their preferred payment option and enter the relevant details. Bellroy supports multiple payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal, catering to diverse customer preferences.
Setting up a one-page Shopify checkout is simple with these apps:
- Zipify Pages: A user-friendly landing page builder with 70+ templates, including one-step checkouts. Offers a 14-day free trial, with plans starting at $19/month, covering all core features.
- Shogun: A no-code visual page builder designed for high-converting e-commerce stores, especially in fashion and apparel. Provides a free trial and demo, with pricing from $39/month.
- PageFly: Features an intuitive drag-and-drop editor for creating visually appealing store layouts and one-page checkouts. Popular in the UK, it offers a free plan with basic features, while paid plans start at $24/month.
2. Insert a Checkout Progress Bar
Shopify’s one-page checkout simplifies the purchasing process, but it may not be ideal for every business—especially those that need to collect additional customer information. In such cases, integrating a checkout progress bar can significantly enhance the user experience.
A checkout progress bar visually guides shoppers through the purchasing steps, showing where they are in the process and how much remains. This transparency helps set clear expectations, reduces uncertainty, and minimizes cart abandonment by keeping customers engaged.
There is a standout example comes from Everlane, a brand renowned for its contemporary clothing and accessories.
See the progress bar in the top left corner. It clearly outlines the three steps required to complete checkout:
- Entering your email
- Selecting a shipping method
- Providing payment details
This transparency helps customers understand the process and estimate the time needed to finish their purchase. When checkout is straightforward and efficient, shoppers are more likely to complete their orders.
3. Create a Diverse Range of Payment Methods
Expanding your Shopify store’s one-page checkout with diverse payment methods can significantly reduce cart abandonment and improve sales. Shoppers have different payment preferences, and offering a variety of options enhances convenience, speeds up transactions, and builds trust—especially for first-time buyers.
Enable seamless checkout by integrating popular payment gateways like Shop Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. These allow customers to complete purchases instantly without manually entering payment details. Additionally, accept major credit and debit cards through Shopify Payments or Stripe to accommodate those who prefer traditional payment methods. The more choices you offer, the smoother the checkout experience for your customers.
Express different payment methods in Gymshark’s Shopify checkout
4. Clearly Show Why Customers Should Buy from You
Customers might not immediately recognize what sets you apart even if you have a strong competitive edge. Whether it’s your commitment to high-quality products, free shipping, an easy return policy, or support for a meaningful cause, make sure to communicate these advantages. These factors play a major role in influencing purchase decisions.
A well-optimized Shopify custom checkout page should prominently display key policies like shipping, returns, and refunds to help increase conversions. Research shows that 82% of shoppers consider a retailer’s return policy when deciding where to buy, especially nine out of ten merchants consider free shipping the biggest motivator for online purchases, and orders with free shipping tend to be about 30% higher in value. You can build trust and encourage more sales by highlighting these benefits at checkout.
As visitors reach the payment stage, they see a customer testimonial and a limited-time bonus from Rebecca, creating a seamless experience that maximizes conversions.
5. Incorporate a Free Shipping Threshold
Setting a free shipping threshold is a powerful way to increase average order value and drive more sales in your Shopify store. By encouraging customers to reach a specific spending amount to unlock free shipping, you can subtly influence buying behavior while enhancing perceived value.
For example, if a customer’s cart totals $75, but free shipping is available at $100, many will choose to add $25 more in products rather than pay a $10 shipping fee. This not only boosts revenue but also reduces the need for heavy discounting.
To maximize this strategy, consider adding a free shipping progress bar to your Shopify cart or checkout page. A dynamic visual indicator showing how close customers are to free shipping acts as a psychological nudge, motivating them to add more items.
Velour enhances the experience by displaying, “You’re only $27 CAD away from free shipping!”
Implementing a compelling free shipping incentive is seamless with the right Shopify apps. Here are some reputable tools to consider:
- Essential Free Shipping Upsell ($4.99/month) – Displays a customizable free shipping progress bar and upsell opportunities on the cart page, encouraging customers to add more items to qualify. Includes six pre-made styles.
- Progressify: Free Shipping Bar ($3.99/month) – Offers dynamic progress bars with up to three stacked offer goals (e.g., free shipping, discounts, or gifts). Supports localization and an upsell cart widget.
- Free Shipping Bear (Free plan available, $3.99/month for premium) – Provides a sticky bar that updates in real time as customers add items, supporting multiple cart goals based on location.
- Hextom: Free Shipping Bar (Free plan available, $9.99/month for premium) – Uses progressive messages to inform customers how much more they need to spend for free shipping. Offers geolocation targeting and customer segmentation for personalized offers.
6. Display Related Products
Displaying relevant products at checkout is a simple yet powerful way to increase your average order value (AOV). By suggesting complementary items, you can encourage customers to add more to their cart—without disrupting their purchase flow.
How to Do It Right
- Use Shopify Checkout Extensibility – Shopify Plus merchants can customize their checkout using Shopify’s Checkout Editor to display upsell and cross-sell recommendations. For additional features, explore third-party apps like ReConvert, UpsellPlus, or CartHook.
- Keep It Relevant – Show one or two related products based on the customer’s cart or purchase history. For example, if they’re buying a coffee maker, suggest premium coffee beans or a reusable filter.
- Maintain a Clean Layout – Avoid overwhelming shoppers with too many recommendations. Keep the design simple and focus on high-value suggestions.
- Offer an Incentive – Encourage add-ons with perks like small discounts, free shipping, or exclusive bundle pricing.
An intriguing example of Target’s recommended products is the inclusion of tabs that allow users to explore related items by brand or clothing style.
7. Make a Personalized and Seamless Shopify Checkout Experience
A well-crafted checkout process should feel effortless and tailored to each customer. By integrating personalization and branding elements, you can enhance engagement, build trust, and boost conversions.
How to Personalize Your Shopify Checkout
- Brand Consistency – Customize your checkout page with your store’s logo, colors, and fonts to create a cohesive shopping experience.
- Saved Preferences – Enable features like auto-filled shipping details and saved payment methods for returning customers to speed up the checkout process.
- Localized Experience – Adjust currency, language, and payment options based on the shopper’s location to enhance convenience.
A well-structured Shopify checkout form from ECGO
8. Enable Shop Pay for a Faster, Smoother Shopify Checkout
Shop Pay is a powerful Shopify checkout tool that speeds up the buying process while enhancing security. It securely saves customer payment details, shipping addresses, and contact info, allowing for one-tap purchases without re-entering information.
Beyond convenience, Shop Pay supports flexible payment plans, letting customers split payments into interest-free installments or extended financing options. It also includes carbon-neutral delivery and built-in order tracking. These features help boost conversions—potentially increasing checkout completion rates by up to 50%, surpassing other fast checkouts by at least 10%.
9. Add Live Chat or a Chatbot on Your Shopify Store
Nothing drives shoppers away faster than unanswered questions—especially at checkout. Adding live chat to your Shopify store ensures customers get instant support when they need it most. Whether they’re unsure about shipping costs, payment options, or return policies, real-time assistance can be the key to converting hesitant buyers into paying customers.
If live chat isn’t an option, a 24/7 AI-powered chatbot is a great alternative. A well-designed chatbot can instantly answer common questions—like delivery estimates or refund policies—without requiring a support agent. Just ensure your chatbot is smart enough to handle real shopper inquiries; a frustrating bot experience could do more harm than good.
Get some inspiration from Endy’s cart page chatbot!
Besides, you can easily add a live chat feature or chatbot on your Shopify store to your pages using plugins. Some of the top recommended Shopify apps for this include:
- O: WhatsApp Chat, Contact Form: Integrate with 20+ platforms, boosting sales, lead generation, and customer support. The all-in-one chat widget enhances engagement with customization options and performance analytics. A free plan is available, with premium plans starting at $11.99/month.
- Gorgias – Live Chat & Helpdesk: a comprehensive helpdesk solution that centralizes customer interactions from live chat, email, and social media into one platform. It offers automation features, such as macros and automated responses, to streamline customer support. Plans start at $10/month.
- Tawk. to Live Chat: a free live chat app that offers unlimited agents, chat history, and customizable widgets. It includes features like visitor tracking and automated triggers to engage customers proactively. The app is entirely free, with an option to remove branding for $29/month
10. Convert Checkout Visitors into SMS Subscribers
SMS marketing is a high-converting channel for boosting engagement and repeat sales, but getting shoppers to opt in requires a strategic approach.
Checkout is the perfect moment to capture SMS subscribers—customers are already committed to their purchase, making them more likely to sign up. A well-placed opt-in prompt can maximize conversions and grow your SMS list effortlessly.
Best Practices:
- Be Transparent – Clearly state what shoppers can expect from your messages.
- Highlight the Value – Offer VIP perks, early access, or exclusive discounts.
- Provide an Incentive – A small discount or free shipping can boost sign-ups.
- Optimize Timing – Send personalized messages that align with customer behavior.
- Ensure Easy Opt-Out – Build trust by making it simple to unsubscribe.
Fa leverages the checkout page to encourage shoppers to subscribe via text for exclusive discounts on future purchases.
11. Automatically Generate Single-Use Discount Codes on Shopify
Single-use discount codes help boost conversions while preventing misuse. These unique codes ensure that each customer receives an exclusive offer that can’t be shared or used multiple times.
With Shopify, you can automate this process using built-in discount features or third-party apps like Bulk Discount Code Generator and Smile.io. These tools let you generate unique codes for promotions, loyalty rewards, abandoned cart recovery, and post-purchase incentives.
How It Works:
- Set parameters: Define discount value, expiration date, and usage limits.
- Automate distribution: Send codes via email, SMS, or pop-ups.
- Track performance: Monitor redemptions to measure success and prevent misuse.
FunnelKit Checkouts lets you auto-apply coupons on the checkout.
12. Instill a sense of urgency.
Encouraging shoppers to complete their purchases quickly can help reduce cart abandonment and boost sales. Adding urgency to your Shopify checkout page motivates customers to act fast before they miss out on a deal.
Powerful strategies to create urgency on the Shopify checkout page include:
- Limited-Time Discounts – Add a countdown timer to highlight time-sensitive offers.
- Low Stock Alerts – Show real-time inventory updates like “Only 3 left in stock!” to encourage quick action.
- Expiring Cart Holds – Let shoppers know their cart items are reserved for only a limited time.
- Fast Shipping Incentives – Promote same-day or next-day delivery for orders placed before a specific deadline.
Amazon expertly applies pressure when an item’s stock is running low.
Add a countdown timer to your Shopify checkout to create urgency and encourage quick purchases. Here are apps to help you integrate this feature:
- Ultimate Sales Boost: Add countdown timers, low-stock notifications, and price drop alerts. It helps drive sales by creating urgency. Pricing starts at $9.99/month, with a free trial.
- Essential Countdown Timer Bar: insert urgency with customizable timers on your store’s announcement bar, product pages, and carts. Starting at $6.99/month with a free trial, it helps increase conversions and prevent cart abandonment.
13. Showcase social proof
Building trust at checkout is crucial for reducing cart abandonment and increasing conversions. Adding social proof to your Shopify store’s checkout page can reassure customers and encourage them to complete their purchase.
- Customer Reviews – Display recent product reviews or star ratings directly on the checkout page to reinforce buyer confidence.
- Live Purchase Notifications – Show real-time notifications, like “John from New York just purchased this item.
- Trust Badges – Highlight secure payment icons, money-back guarantees, and SSL certifications to enhance credibility.
- User-Generated Content (UGC) – Show images or testimonials from real customers to build trust and social validation.
Here’s an example from Tesalate:
At the right corner of Shopify’s checkout page, Tesalate displays ratings to reassure customers they’re purchasing from a legitimate brand. Ultimately, the more transparent you are, the more sales you can secure.
To display social media ratings and other forms of social proof on your Shopify checkout page, consider leveraging Trustify Reviews & Testimonial, that help collect and display user reviews, testimonials, and social media ratings directly on your checkout page. It offers flexible customization options for review displays, building trust and confidence with customers. Pricing starts at $8.99/month.
14. Provide a Variety of Shipping Options
Shoppers value convenience, so providing multiple shipping and pickup choices is key to boosting sales. While home delivery is a top preference, some customers may opt for local pickup at a nearby location, like a UPS Access Point.
With Shopify, you can enable Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) to cater to customers who need their orders fast. Offering flexible fulfillment options enhances the shopping experience and increases customer satisfactio
On the left side of the page, Shopify provides both shipping and pickup options. Click on “Check availability” under the Pickup section and enter your ZIP code to find the nearest store with the product in stock.
15. Integrate a Shopify checkout popup
Integrating an exit-intent popup on your Shopify checkout page is an effective way to retain customers who are about to leave. These pop-ups can feature discounts, social proof, countdown timers, or other incentives designed to encourage shoppers to complete their purchases. The key is to present an irresistible offer that makes them think twice before exiting.
When a shopper is about to leave your Shopify store, a well-timed exit-intent popup can encourage them to stay and complete their purchase. This brief pause gives you a chance to re-engage their interest—whether through a special discount, free shipping offer, or product recommendation—boosting the likelihood of conversion.
Looking to keep shoppers from leaving their carts behind? A checkout popup can be realistic. Here are some top Shopify apps to help:
- OptiMonk uses exit-intent popups to capture potential buyers before they leave. It offers discount codes, email collection, and personalized messages to re-engage customers and encourage purchases. Pricing starts at $39/month, with a free plan available for basic features. Higher tiers provide advanced targeting options for better conversion rates.
- Privy provides customizable checkout popups designed to collect emails, send SMS reminders, and offer discount incentives to reduce cart abandonment. It includes automation tools that make it easy to recover lost sales. A free plan is available, while paid plans start at $30/month, scaling up based on email and SMS marketing needs.
- Justuno leverages AI-powered popups to deliver personalized offers based on customer behavior. It includes advanced segmentation, upsell recommendations, and analytics to optimize conversions. This app is ideal for businesses looking for smart automation in their checkout popups. Pricing starts at $29/month for small businesses, with premium features available at higher tiers.
16. Add Product Bundles to Your Shopify Stỏe
Bundling complementary products is an effective upselling strategy that enhances the shopping experience while increasing revenue. Including product bundles at checkout offers several benefits:
- Increase Average Order Value (AOV): Encourage customers to buy more by offering discounted bundles.
- Streamline the Buying Process: Make it easier for shoppers to find related products in one package.
- Move Excess Inventory: Sell slow-moving stock by pairing it with bestsellers.
- Boost Product Visibility: Introduce customers to new items they might not have considered.
- Enhance Customer Satisfaction: Provide curated bundles that cater to their needs.
La Roche-Posay paired its well-known moisturizer with a newly launched face serum and a sunscreen, leveraging its trusted products to boost awareness and drive sales of the new item.
17. Enable customers to save products or build a wishlist
Wishlists and save-for-later tools enhance the shopping experience by allowing customers to bookmark products they’re interested in. These features encourage repeat visits, increase conversions, and provide valuable insights into customer preferences for more effective marketing.
Key Benefits of Wishlists
- Encourages Gift Giving: Customers can create and share wishlists, making it easier for friends and family to buy gifts. This is especially valuable during holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, boosting sales.
- Improves Shopping Convenience: Shoppers can quickly access saved items instead of searching again, reducing frustration and increasing conversion rates.
- Supports Smart Spending: Wishlists allow customers to save items and return when they’re financially ready, leading to more intentional purchases.
- Boosts Customer Engagement: Even if a customer isn’t ready to buy, wishlists keep them connected to your store. Automated email reminders and personalized promotions based on wishlist activity can encourage future purchases.
- Provides Valuable Marketing Insights: Tracking wishlist activity helps identify popular products and shopping trends. This data can be leveraged for personalized recommendations, targeted promotions, and smarter inventory planning.
Keep on Hold Wishlist is a top-rated free Shopify app that enables “Save for Later” functionality for cart items and adds a wishlist button to product pages. Despite its powerful features, it remains completely free to install.
Top 5 Check-Out Page Examples for Higher Conversions on Shopify
1. Gunner Kennels
Gunner Kennels keeps its checkout process simple by only collecting essential details. With Google’s autocomplete feature, customers can quickly fill in their addresses while the system auto-populates city, state, and ZIP code fields. Optional fields, like phone numbers, include tooltips explaining their purpose, ensuring a smooth and transparent checkout experience.
2. Bubs Naturals
Trust is a priority for Bubs Naturals, and their checkout page reflects that with multiple security badges, SSL certification, and customer reviews. By showcasing star ratings, secure payment options, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, they reassure shoppers that their purchase is safe and risk-free.
3. Nanoleaf
Nanoleaf makes checkout seamless by clearly displaying cart details, including item quantity and pricing. They accept a variety of payment methods, such as credit cards, digital wallets, PayPal, Klarna, and even cryptocurrency. Additional perks, like a two-year warranty, student discounts, and transparent shipping costs, further enhance the shopping experience.
4. ColourPop
ColourPop simplifies checkout by displaying all order costs upfront, including shipping fees and discounts. Customers using Shop Pay can breeze through the process with pre-filled details, making checkout faster and more convenient. Their approach minimizes friction and maximizes conversion rates.
5. Ketnipz
Ketnipz offers shoppers the flexibility to check out as either a guest or a returning customer. While guests follow the standard checkout process, loyal customers can sign in for a quicker, more seamless purchasing experience.
Questions & Answers about Shopify Checkout Pages
1. How many are the Types of Shopify Checkout Page?
There are two main types of Shopify checkout pages:
- Single-Page Checkout – A streamlined process where all checkout fields (shipping, billing, and payment) appear on one page. It reduces friction and speeds up transactions, improving conversion rates.
- Multi-Step Checkout – A step-by-step process where customers complete checkout in multiple stages (e.g., shipping details, payment info, and order review). This is useful for gathering detailed customer data and offering upsells.
2. How to enable checkout page on Shopify?
To enable the checkout page on Shopify, ensure you have a valid Shopify plan, as checkout is disabled on unpaid trial accounts. Next, activate a payment provider under Settings > Payments, such as Shopify Payments or PayPal. Also, disable password protection in Online Store > Preferences if your store is in development mode. Finally, customize your checkout settings in Settings > Checkout to optimize the customer experience. Once these steps are complete, your checkout page will be fully functional.
3. How can I create a Shopify checkout experience that reflects my brand?
Your Shopify checkout is more than just a transaction—it’s an extension of your brand. Customize it with your brand’s colors, fonts, and logo to create a seamless shopping experience. Use Shopify’s checkout editor to personalize messaging, add trust signals, and include a branded confirmation page. Small touches—like a warm thank-you message or an exclusive post-purchase offer—can strengthen customer loyalty and encourage repeat sales.
4. How can I use urgency without making the Shopify checkout page feel pushy?
Urgency can drive conversions, but it should feel natural. Instead of generic countdown timers, use Shopify’s real-time inventory updates to display messages like “Only 3 left in stock.” Highlight time-sensitive perks, such as “Complete your order in the next 10 minutes for free express shipping.” Shopify apps like countdown banners and cart reservation timers can create urgency while keeping the experience positive and customer-friendly.
WRAP UP
Shopify’s checkout page is fast, secure, and easy to use, making shopping hassle-free for customers and helping businesses increase sales. Its simple design, various payment options, and customization features allow brands to create a smooth and branded experience. Whether you’re a small business or expanding, Shopify’s checkout reduces cart abandonment and increases completed purchases, turning visitors into loyal customers.