Shopify Checkout Extensibility – Customising Checkout in 2024

Checkout.liquid will soon be phased out, meaning that Shopify Checkout Extensibility will be the only way to customise your checkout process and set up professional tracking. That’s why we’re going to take a closer look at Checkout Extensibility and what it can do.

Optimising the checkout process in 4 steps

In this video, Christian explains how you can customise your Shopify checkout to perfection in a few simple steps.

Shopify is phasing out checkout.liquid

Shopify has recently announced that checkout.liquid will be deprecated from 13 August 2024. The exact timetable is as follows:

• 13 August 2024: checkout.liquid has been disabled for information, dispatch and payment pages.
• 29 August 2025: checkout.liquid will be disabled for thank-you and order status pages; script tags and additional scripts on these pages will also cease to function.

That is why you are now under pressure to act if you wish to continue making adjustments to the checkout process or to retain your already optimised checkout.

Why is it important to customise the checkout process?

Customisation is important for creating a seamless checkout experience. A visually appealing checkout process is also needed to achieve a high conversion rate. Otherwise, customers may still abandon the purchase process at this stage.

Shopify Checkout Extensibility – what is it?

Shopify Checkout Extensibility brings together all the features needed to customise the checkout page. It comprises a collection of features, but is reserved for Shopify Plus merchants.

What sets Checkout Extensibility apart

Checkout Extensibility uses apps for customisation, rather than requiring changes to the theme code. This makes set-up easier, without the need for a developer.

Updating also carries less risk. Errors following a Shopify update are reduced, as all changes are managed via apps.

Checkout Extensibility works seamlessly with Shop Pay, Shopify’s in-house payment gateway, to provide efficient Shopify payment methods.

My view: Shopify is moving away from code towards custom apps. The backend is designed to be user-friendly and manageable without the need for a developer. At the same time, the aim is to strengthen the Shopify ecosystem. The only downside is that, in future, only those who upgrade to Shopify Plus will be able to customise the checkout.

The benefits of Shopify Checkout Extensibility

For all Shopify Plus merchants, Checkout Extensibility offers more ways to customise the shopping experience. Shopify now enables you, as a merchant, to natively customise your branding even after the shopping basket stage through UI extensions, thereby ensuring a better user experience. But there are further benefits – let’s take a closer look at these points.

FastLoading times thanks to an optimised checkout process

Shopify is working to speed up the new checkout process. With the switch to Checkout Extensibility, you’ll benefit from faster ‘Thank You’ and order status pages thanks to shorter loading times, as well as the option for a one-page checkout. What has long been a challenging issue is finally possible for merchants thanks to the upgrade to Checkout Extensibility.

My view: Quick and easy = higher conversion rate

Customisation via apps for better branding

The customisation options offered by the new Checkout Extensibility allow merchants to create a personalised shopping experience. The ability to add custom colours and fonts, the freedom to customise the layout, and the option to use third-party apps enable you to tailor your checkout to the specific requirements of your brand. The result is enhanced branding and greater customer loyalty.

My view: Customising thank-you and order status pages has long been a pain point for online shops. At last, Shopify merchants can customise their checkout pages and incorporate their brand identity here too. Brilliant!

Shop Pay integration

A straightforward payment process is crucial at the end of every ordering process. Thanks to the seamless Shop Pay integration, this is no longer an obstacle. This helps to build customer trust, which minimises abandoned basket rates.

Meine Einschätzung: Schnell und einfache Bezahlvorgänge sorgen ebenfalls für eine bessere Konversion.

Easier updates and greater security

Updates are an aspect that should not be underestimated when running an online shop. Switching from `checkout.liquid` to `Checkout Extensibility` can improve update compatibility, which leads to fewer problems and also enhances security.

My view: functionality is the key. Being able to update shops easily will make many retailers happy.

New features and UI extensions

Adding new features no longer requires time-consuming coding. From now on, innovative apps that enable new checkout functions are available from the Shopify App Store. These tools open up a whole host of new possibilities for retailers.

My view: With this move, Shopify is continuing to set the course towards app-based solutions, which is entirely in line with its strategy.

The technology behind Checkout Extensibility

Checkout Extensibility replaces checkout.liquid and offers a number of technical advantages. Let’s take a look at the technical details to understand the changes.

Tracking is a must for e-commerce retailers

Tracking within the Shopify checkout process via Checkout Extensibility enables merchants to integrate custom tracking scripts and applications to gain detailed insights into customer behaviour during the checkout process. Here is an overview of how this works:

Shopify Checkout Extensibility: The Foundation

Shopify offers a wide range of tools and extensions that allow you to customise the checkout process. These APIs and extensions ensure that you can add custom features without compromising the security and integrity of the checkout.

Add tracking scripts

Developers can insert custom scripts that run during the checkout process. These scripts help you integrate a wide range of tracking methods, including:

• Google Analytics
• Facebook Pixel
• Custom event tracking systems

This allows you to track exactly how your customers behave during the checkout process.

Using Shopify APIs

Shopify provides powerful APIs that enable you to track and analyse checkout events in detail. These include:

• Order API: This API helps you retrieve order information and track order events.
• Checkout API: This API allows you to monitor the checkout status and track checkout events.

These APIs provide you with the flexibility and depth you need for comprehensive analysis.

Checkout UI Extensions

Thanks to the new UI extensions, you can customise the checkout interface. Developers can create custom UI components, enabling them to add additional tracking elements tailored specifically to your needs.

With these Shopify Checkout Extensibility features, you’ll be well equipped to track and optimise the checkout process seamlessly and effectively.

An overview of customisation options

Function	Shopify Plan	Effect	Example
Branding API	Shopify Plus	Checkout design	Using corporate design at checkout
Checkout UI Extensions	Shopify Plus	Custom UI & content	Viewing the product range before proceeding to the checkout
Web Pixel Extension	All plans	Making purchasing behaviour trackable	The ability to use tracking pixels to collect relevant data on customers’ purchasing behaviour.
Shopify Functions	All plans	Adaptability of the backend logic	New opportunities for discount promotions
Extending the checkout process	All plans	Option to create a page after purchase.	Additional information can be entered, or further products can be displayed.

The switch from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility

As a result of the switch, any changes you have implemented in `checkout.liquid` will initially be lost. Take this opportunity to validate your checkout process, decide what should remain as it is, and what no longer needs to be implemented in the checkout – or needs to be implemented differently.

Design adjustments during checkout

You can now customise the checkout process. The checkout editor allows you to edit the checkout using a visual interface. Without having to use any code, you can customise fonts, colours and even the layout to match your branding.

In addition, the Branding API allows you to fully customise the checkout to match your company’s corporate design. This API enables you to incorporate colours, fonts and logos into the checkout, ensuring that the shopping experience is seamlessly integrated with your branding. In doing so, you can enforce specific design guidelines that increase your brand’s recognition and strengthen your customers’ trust. This feature is a key advantage, particularly for companies that place great importance on a consistent brand presentation.

Custom UI components via Checkout Apps

The Checkout UI Extensions allow you to integrate custom UI components directly into the checkout. This goes beyond simple design customisations: for example, you can display specific product offers, cross-selling elements or additional payment options tailored to individual customers. This flexibility gives you the opportunity to design the checkout not only functionally but also strategically, in order to maximise the conversion rate.

One example of this could be displaying an exclusive offer immediately before checkout, which is only available for a limited period. Such measures can increase the value of the shopping basket whilst also positively influencing the customer’s decision to purchase.

Extended Shopify backend logic using Shopify Functions

Shopify Functions provides you with a powerful tool that allows you to customise the backend logic of your checkout. Whether you’re implementing special discount promotions based on specific purchase criteria or personalising checkout steps, Shopify Functions give you the flexibility to implement almost any business logic.

One use case could be, for example, automatically adjusting delivery charges based on the customer’s location or offering specific payment options depending on the value of the shopping basket. This advanced logic enables you not only to tailor the checkout to your customers’ needs, but also to optimise internal business processes.

Integration of third-party apps for additional features

One of the greatest strengths of Shopify Checkout Extensibility is the seamless integration of third-party apps. The Shopify App Store offers a wide range of apps designed specifically for the checkout. These can help you implement additional features such as loyalty schemes, gift cards or even A/B testing for the checkout.

By using these apps, you can further optimise your checkout and tailor it precisely to the needs of your target audience. The simple installation and configuration of such apps make it easier for you to integrate advanced features into your checkout process without requiring significant development effort.

The switch from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility

The switch from checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility may seem challenging at first, but it offers you the chance to fundamentally overhaul and improve your checkout process. Whilst all previous customisations in checkout.liquid will be lost, the switch offers the opportunity to tailor the checkout even better to your customers’ needs and your branding.

With the Checkout Editor, you can visually design the checkout process and, by integrating the APIs and extensions mentioned, develop a customised, high-performance checkout solution. This visual editing environment allows you to design and customise the checkout in real time without having to rely on code.

Conclusion: The path to the future of e-commerce

Shopify Checkout Extensibility offers you, as a Shopify Plus merchant, a future-proof solution that enables you to optimise the checkout process not only visually but also functionally. By combining the Branding API, Checkout UI Extensions and Shopify Functions, you can create a seamless, brand-consistent and user-friendly checkout experience. At the same time, you benefit from enhanced security, simpler updates and the ability to continuously improve the checkout and adapt it to new requirements.

For all Shopify Plus merchants, the switch to Checkout Extensibility is not just a necessity, but an opportunity to turn the checkout process into a genuine competitive advantage. Seize this opportunity to take your online shop to the next level and tailor the checkout experience to your customers’ growing expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions