Unlock the Full Potential of Shopify Checkout Extension: Unleashing the Power of Static Endpoints for Optimal Utilization!
As the world of e-commerce continues to expand, online retailers strive to provide seamless and efficient checkout experiences for their customers.
In response to this demand, Shopify has introduced the Checkout Extension, a powerful tool that enhances the checkout process.
What is the Shopify Checkout Extension?
The Shopify checkout extension is a feature that allows merchants to customize and enhance the checkout experience for their customers. It provides a way to modify the appearance, functionality, and flow of the checkout process on a Shopify store.
By leveraging this extension, retailers can customize the checkout experience, optimize conversions, and integrate additional functionalities into their Shopify stores.
There are two types of checkout extension endpoints in Shopify:
Dynamic Checkout Extension Endpoint: Dynamic extension points are not limited to specific checkout features and can be placed between core features at any step of the checkout process. Merchants have the flexibility to position the extension in any of the supported locations using the checkout editor.
Even if a checkout feature in a specific location is hidden, dynamic extensions will still be rendered. For instance, if an extension is placed above the shipping address, it will still be displayed even when dealing with digital products that do not require a shipping address.
When your content and functionality are self-contained and can be displayed at any step during checkout, dynamic extension points are suitable. An example of this is a field that allows customers to provide order notes.
Static Checkout Extension Endpoint: Static extension points are strategically positioned before or after essential components of the checkout process, such as contact information, shipping methods, and order summary line items. These extension points can be activated and positioned within the checkout experience using the checkout editor by merchants.
However, if a particular core checkout feature is not displayed, the associated static extension points will also not be rendered. For instance, when customers choose the option for store pickup, the shipping methods are not shown, and any UI extensions tied to the shipping method will not be rendered.
It is advisable to utilize static extension points when your content and functionality are closely tied to a core checkout feature. For instance, a shipping delay notice can be considered an ideal use case for a static extension point.
Shopify is migrating from script-based customizations to checkout extensions to improve security, scalability, and reliability. Script-based customizations relied on injecting JavaScript code into the checkout, which introduced potential security vulnerabilities. With checkout extensions, developers can create more controlled and secure customizations using server-side rendering, reducing the risk of malicious code injections and improving overall platform stability.
Supported locations:
The supported locations for checkout extension points can vary depending on the specific platform or system you are working with. However, in the context of Shopify checkout extensions, here are some commonly supported locations where you can place your customizations:
- Information: This location typically includes steps where customers provide their contact information, such as name, email address, and phone number. It can also include any additional fields for capturing specific information related to the order.
- Shipping: The shipping location involves the selection of shipping methods and the entry of shipping details, such as the shipping address, preferred delivery option, or any special instructions for the shipping carrier.
- Payment: This location is where customers choose their preferred payment method and enter payment details, such as credit card information or alternative payment options like PayPal.
- Order Summary: The order summary location displays a summary of the customer’s selected items, quantities, prices, and any applied discounts or promotions. Customers can review their order details before proceeding to payment.
- Shop Pay: Shop Pay is a popular accelerated checkout option provided by Shopify. If enabled, it appears as a separate location within the checkout process, allowing customers to use their saved payment and shipping information for a quicker checkout experience.
- Order Status: This location may appear after the checkout process is completed, providing customers with an order confirmation or order status page. It typically includes details such as the order number, estimated delivery date, and any additional information relevant to the order’s progress.
These are some common locations where checkout extension points can be placed, but it’s important to note that the specific platform or system you are working with may have additional or different supported locations. It’s always recommended to consult the documentation or guidelines provided by the platform to determine the available supported locations for your checkout extensions.
Here is checkout extension sample codes for each endpoint.
import React from "react";
import { render, Banner } from "@shopify/checkout-ui-extensions-react";
/*
Dynamic Section
*/
render("Checkout::Dynamic::Render", () => <App />);
render("Checkout::Contact::RenderAfter", () => <ContactRenderAfter />);
render("Checkout::DeliveryAddress::RenderBefore", () => (
<DeliveryAddressRenderBefore />
));
render("Checkout::ShippingMethods::RenderBefore", () => <Apps />);
render("Checkout::ShippingMethods::RenderAfter", () => <ShippingAfter />);
render("Checkout::CartLineDetails::RenderAfter", () => (
<CartLineDetailsAfter />
));
render("Checkout::CartLines::RenderAfter", () => <CartLinesAfter />);
render("Checkout::Reductions::RenderBefore", () => <ReductionsBefore />);
render("Checkout::Reductions::RenderAfter", () => <ReductionsAfter />);
render("Checkout::Actions::RenderBefore", () => <ActionRender />);
render("Checkout::CustomerInformation::RenderAfter", () => (
<CustomerInformationRenderAfter />
));
function App() {
return <Banner title="Dynamic">Testing [Wallet1]</Banner>;
}
function ContactRenderAfter() {
return <Banner title="Contact After Render">Information</Banner>;
}
function DeliveryAddressRenderBefore() {
return <Banner title="Delivery Address Render Before">Information</Banner>;
}
function CustomerInformationRenderAfter() {
return <Banner title="Customer Information Render After">Information</Banner>;
}
function Apps() {
return <Banner title="Before Shipping Methods">Before</Banner>;
}
function ShippingAfter() {
return <Banner title="After Shipping Methods">After</Banner>;
}
function ActionRender() {
return <Banner title="Action Render with Event">Bottom</Banner>;
}
function CartLineDetailsAfter() {
return <Banner title="CartLineDetailsAfter">Single Item Summary</Banner>;
}
function CartLinesAfter() {
return <Banner title="CartLinesAfter">After Line Item Summary</Banner>;
}
function ReductionsBefore() {
return <Banner title="ReductionsBefore">Before Discount Box</Banner>;
}
function ReductionsAfter() {
return <Banner title="ReductionsAfter">After Discount Box</Banner>;
}type = "checkout_ui_extension"
name = "custom"
extension_points = [
'Checkout::Dynamic::Render',
'Checkout::Contact::RenderAfter',
'Checkout::DeliveryAddress::RenderBefore',
'Checkout::ShippingMethods::RenderBefore',
'Checkout::ShippingMethods::RenderAfter',
'Checkout::Dynamic::Render',
'Checkout::CartLineDetails::RenderAfter',
'Checkout::CartLines::RenderAfter',
'Checkout::Reductions::RenderBefore',
'Checkout::Reductions::RenderAfter',
'Checkout::Actions::RenderBefore',
'Checkout::CustomerInformation::RenderAfter'
]Pros of using a static checkout extension endpoint:
Improved Performance: Static endpoints are pre-rendered and cached, resulting in faster load times and improved performance for customers. This can lead to a better user experience and higher conversion rates.
Accessibility: Static endpoints do not rely on client-side JavaScript, making them accessible to customers who have JavaScript disabled in their browsers. This ensures a more inclusive shopping experience for all users.
Easier Development: Building custom checkout experiences using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is often easier for developers than working with complex JavaScript frameworks. It simplifies the development process and reduces the learning curve for creating customizations.
Example: Let’s say you want to add a progress bar to the checkout process, indicating the steps involved. With a static checkout extension endpoint, you can design and implement the progress bar using HTML and CSS directly, without relying heavily on JavaScript. This simplifies the implementation and reduces the dependencies on client-side scripting.
Cons of using a static checkout extension endpoint:
Limited Interactivity: Static endpoints do not offer the same level of interactivity and dynamic behavior as their JavaScript-based counterparts. Certain complex interactions or real-time updates may be more challenging to implement using static endpoints.
Customization Restrictions: While static endpoints offer a degree of flexibility, they may have limitations compared to dynamic endpoints. Certain advanced customization scenarios may require dynamic JavaScript-based solutions.
Example: If you want to create a custom upsell feature that dynamically recommends related products to customers based on their cart items, a static endpoint might not provide the necessary flexibility for real-time product recommendations. In such cases, a dynamic endpoint would be better suited for this level of customization.
In summary, static checkout extension endpoints offer improved performance, accessibility, and easier development, but they come with limitations in interactivity and customization flexibility compared to dynamic endpoints.
Choosing the right type of endpoint depends on the specific customization requirements and trade-offs between functionality and simplicity.
Happy Coding
