Shopify Checkout Extensibility: How To Upgrade from Checkout.liquid

Upgrading from Checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility.

In Shopify’s Winter 2024 Editions, the platform announced further updates to extend “the world's best checkout” with 14 new APIs and UI components and also announced extensibility is now available on the thank you and order status pages (exclusive to Shopify Plus). In this post, we cover what checkout extensibility is and what it replaces, when you need to implement it, why it’s an improvement, and what customisation options you have. Let’s get started!

1. What is Shopify Checkout Extensibility?

Shopify Checkout Extensibility allows merchants to customise their eCommerce checkout experience with a range of new apps and branding tools.

Along with stability, speed and security, Checkout Extensibility is upgrade-safe and seamlessly integrates with Shop Pay.

2. Why is Checkout Extensibility better than the existing Shopify Checkout?

While the Shopify Checkout experience is hard to beat for speed and performance, it didn’t allow for easy customisation, which becomes a greater priority as brands grow.

Previously, merchants needed to modify the checkout code directly by editing checkout.liquid. Because changes couldn’t be made via an app or in-house team, the change process was slower and more expensive.

Now with Checkout Extensibility, a merchant’s in-house team can easily do far more customising without complex development work.

3. When is the deadline for migrating from Checkout.liquid to Checkout Extensibility?

As part of Winter 2024 Editions, Shopify announced that Checkout.liquid will be partially phased out - starting with Information, Shipping, and Payment pages - in August 2024. Checkout.liquid will then be fully phased out - Thank You & Order Status pages - in August 2025.

So merchants should really be in touch with their development team to migrate asap!

4. What new checkout customisation options does Checkout Extensibility offer? (including Shopify Winter 2024 Editions updates)

Initially, Checkout Extensibility was only available on the Shipping, Information, and Payment pages, but it’s now also expanded to include the Thank you and Order status pages to merchants on Shopify Plus to deliver a seamless user experience.

“In the latest Winter 2024 Editions update, Shopify announced 14 new APIs and UI components to further customise the checkout,” says Richard Ayles, Head of Development at blubolt. “Shopify’s also added over 90 new third-party apps to Checkout Extensibility since Summer 2023, so the possibilities are endless for merchants now!”

A. Customise UI and content.

With the new Checkout UI extensions, developers can create bespoke functionality that brands can install at specific points in the checkout flow. For example, you could build extensions for custom fields to capture extra information from customers or to show a product offer before customers check out.

Among the Winter 2024 Editions update were new IU components, including Map, ChoiceList, ToggleButtonGroup, Payment Icon, and Product Thumbnail.

B. Tailor how your Shopify Checkout looks.

Fancy customising your checkout look and feel, so it reflects the on-brand design of the rest of your website?

Using the new Checkout Branding API, you can do this by adding your brand logo, font, and colours and even using rounded corners to the checkout form field styling.

C. Customise the backend business logic.

Would you like to customise the discounts applied to orders, products, or shipping? When Shopify Functions launches (it’s currently in developer preview), you’ll have the flexibility to extend the backend discounting logic within the Checkout to create, for example, tiered discount options.

Eventually, this freedom will be extended to other back-end parts of Shopify. So in future, you can expect to be able to create blended shipping rates, checkout and cart validations, return validations, and programmable order routing.

D. Create a post-purchase page.

Using Post-purchase extensions, you can add new content to the post-purchase page. So, for example, you can show customers a product offer or ask for additional information after they have checked out but before they get to the order confirmation page.

E. Set up buying behaviour tracking.

The Web Pixel API enables you to add a tracking pixel to collect behavioural data on your buyers for more in-depth measurement and optimisation of your marketing campaigns and overall conversion performance. The API can also provide an events list that merchants can subscribe to.

4. Who can use it?

Shopify Checkout Extensibility is available exclusively to Shopify Plus merchants.

Need help implementing Shopify Checkout Extensibility?

Now that you’ve got the low down on Checkout Extensibility, are you ready to start customising? Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements. We would love to help!

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