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How to Customize Checkout Page in Shopify: Step by Step Guide

March 22, 2023

Shopify
CRO
How to Customize Checkout Page in Shopify: Step by Step Guide

Improving Your Shopify Checkout Page

Want to learn how to customize the checkout page in Shopify? You've come to the right place. Today, we're going to walk you through a step-by-step guide to improving and optimizing the checkout page of your online store.

If you're running a Shopify store, you know that the checkout process is crucial to your business. In fact, many would say the checkout page is the most significant stage of the customer journey. Thus, if you're not optimizing your checkout page, you're likely leaving money on the table. The good news? We're here to put an end to it.

In this guide, we'll show you how to edit your Shopify checkout page for the highest AOV and conversion rates imaginable! First things first - why should you bother learning how to customize the checkout page in Shopify?


aov checkout


Why Learn How to Customize Shopify Checkout Page?

Learning how to customize the Shopify checkout page is undoubtedly worth the time and resources it takes. Why? You'll be able to see a tangible ROI.

If you're not happy with the way your current checkout looks, or if you want to add some extra functionality to it, then editing the checkout is a great way to do so. Checkout customization is a powerful way to increase conversion rates and boost sales. When done right, customized checkouts can provide a significant boost to your bottom line.

There are three key reasons why you might want to customize Shopify checkout page:

1. Offer Customers an On-Brand Experience

The first reason to consider customizing the Shopify checkout page? It gives you more control over the branding and look of your store. You can use this opportunity to make sure that your store's overall aesthetic is consistent with the look of your checkout page. This can help create a better sense of trust and credibility with potential customers.

But, the real reason businesses like yours invest heavily into customizing the checkout page on Shopify is the conversion rate boost it produces. Keep reading to learn more...

branded checkout

2. Increase Conversion Rate

Second, learning how to customize the checkout page on Shopify can help you increase conversion rates. Sounds too good to be true? It's not!

By including relevant information like FAQs, you can directly answer customer concerns when they're about to bounce from the page. This can encourage more people to complete their purchase, and ultimately result in more sales for your business.

But, converting more customers isn't the only reason to consider customizing Shopify checkout page. Here's another way this tactic brings more money in the door...

3. Boost Average Order Value

Finally, customizing the checkout page on Shopify can also help you boost average order value. This can be done by showing upsells and cross-sells, commonly referred to as "Order Bumps" in the checkout.

For example, if someone is buying shoes, you could cross sell them on socks.


order bump sock cross sell in checkout

Including relevant upsells and cross-sells can encourage customers to buy more from your store, which can have a significant impact on your bottom line.


How to Customize Checkout Page: The Most Effective Method for Shopify Plus Checkout Customization

Ready to learn how to customize the Shopify checkout page? We know you may be under the impression that this is going to be a convoluted, time-consuming process. Maybe you're assuming that high-level dev work is necessary. But, this is actually not the case. We're going to show you how to customize the Shopify checkout page quickly and easily - with no experience necessary. Introducing AfterSell: the #1 way to offer Shopify upsell at checkout.

Shopify Checkout Extensibility VS Checkout.liquid

In June 2022 during the Shopify Editions release, Shopify announced their new checkout extensibility feature. Shopify has since launched this exclusively for all Shopify Plus stores in early October 2022.


shopify editions checkout announcement

Checkout exensibility now allows merchants to edit the Shopify checkout with greater stability, security, and speed. In the past, merchants were required to modify the checkout code directly by altering the checkout.liquid file. Because these changes could not be made directly via an app, the modification process was more tedious and more prone to causing site-breaking bugs. With the launch of Checkout Extensibility, a merchant can now simply install an app and do far more customizations without complex development work. Additionally, checkout extensibility integrates directly with the Shop Pay checkout, covering a broader range of potential checkout paths a shopper can take.

Shopify has chosen AfterSell as a "Checkout Extensibility Launch Partner" meaning that AfterSell can now be used to modify the Shopify checkout.

How to Set Up Your Shopify Plus Custom Checkout

If you go to the Shopify App Store and search for "AfterSell", you will be able to install the app to your site.

Once the app is installed, go to the "Checkout" tab and click on the "Edit Checkout" button.

checkout editor page in aftersell

On this page, you will be able to customize your checkout widgets to your liking. You can modify the widget styling and change any text. Add your own custom triggering logic (show the widget based on customer actions). And, apply any desired discounts or savings.

In this example, we will be adding a multi-product upsell widget.

edit checkout settings in aftersell

Once you have completed the widget creation process, click on the "Open Shopify Checkout Editor" button. On this page you can add the newly created widget in the spot of your choosing. You can also choose to display the widget on the Shop Pay checkout as well.

Add checkout widget to shopify in aftersell

And it really is that quick! You can get your checkout modified in a couple of minute and start to see a lift in your average order value.

7 Widgets to Add to Your Shopify Checkout Page While Customizing

Now that we know how to edit your Shopify checkout page, let's take a look at some of the things you can do to optimize it.

There are a few key elements that should be included on every checkout page. By ensuring that these elements are present, you can create a more efficient and user-friendly checkout experience for your customers.

1. Order Bump

An order bump, also commonly referred to as a checkout upsell, is an additional product or service that is offered to the customer at checkout.

This might be something like a gift wrap option, a second product, or e-book.

It can help increase the average order value by encouraging customers to add on additional items.

order bump


2. Timer Bar

Adding a timer bar to your checkout page can create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to complete their purchase.

This is especially effective if you're running a sale or promotion.

3. Trust Badges

Another element that can be helpful to include on your checkout page is trust badges.

Adding trust badges to your checkout page can help increase conversion rates by instilling confidence in potential customers.

trust badges

Trust badges can often be formatted in the form of a guarantee. This might be a money-back guarantee, satisfaction guarantee, or even a free shipping guarantee.

Including a guarantee on your checkout page can help build trust by providing transparency about the purchase while also encouraging customers to complete their purchase by reducing any uncertainty about the product or service being purchased.


4. Shipping Protection

If you're selling physical goods, it's important to include information about shipping on your checkout page. This might include things like shipping estimates, shipping insurance, and so on.


shipping protection

5. Social Proof

Social proof can be used to build trust and encourage customers to complete their purchase. This might be something like customer reviews or customer testimonials.

social proof


6.  Frequently Asked Questions

Another element that can be helpful to include on your checkout page is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. This can be used to provide answers to common questions that customers might have about the product or service being purchased.

frequently asked questions

Including an FAQ on your checkout page can be helpful for a few reasons. First, it can help reduce confusion by providing answers to common questions. Second, it can help build trust by providing transparency about the purchase. Finally, it can encourage customers to complete their purchase by reducing any uncertainty about the product or service being purchased.

Once You've Customized Your Shopify Plus Checkout Pages, Run a Split Test and Compare Performance

Once you've implemented some or all of these optimization techniques, it's important to run a split test and compare the performance of your checkout page. This will help you determine which techniques are working best for your business and which ones you should continue to use.

Compare your customized checkout to a regular "blank" checkout. The key stats to look at are your conversion rate and the AOV. If you see a significant improvement in either of these metrics, then you know you're on the right track.

Final Thoughts on Shopify Plus Checkout Customization

There you have it- everything you need to know about how to customize the checkout page in Shopify. There are a number of optimization techniques that you can use to improve your Shopify checkout page.

By implementing these techniques, you can improve your conversion rate and increase your average order value. In turn, this can help you increase your overall revenue.

Ready to give checkout editing a try? Add AfterSell to your Shopify store today!

Our software doesn't just help you offer upsell or cross-sell at checkout - it has so many more capabilities worth discovering.

Our Shopify upsell app also allow you to set up Shopify one click upsells, and much more. It can even help you edit the thank you page on Shopify. Head over to the site to learn more about what this app can do for you and your business.

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