Shopify checkout customisation: what you can and cannot change without Plus

Shopify checkout customisation: what you can and cannot change without Plus is a frequent question for store operators who want to fine‑tune the final purchase step without paying the premium Plus price. In this article we break down the exact levers available on the regular Shopify plan, point out the hard limits that only Plus removes, and give you a repeatable process for squeezing every ounce of flexibility from the standard checkout.

The baseline: what the default checkout looks like

When you sign up for a regular Shopify plan you receive a checkout that is built on a locked template. The layout, field order, and core flow are the same for every store. This consistency is intentional – it helps Shopify maintain PCI compliance and ensures that the checkout works on all browsers and devices. The default checkout already follows many best‑practice guidelines highlighted by the Baymard Institute, such as a single‑page layout and clear error handling (checkout usability research).

Because the template is locked, you cannot edit the HTML or CSS directly. Any visual change must be applied through the settings panel, the theme editor (for the “checkout.liquid” snippet that only appears on Plus), or via Shopify Scripts that run on the server side. Understanding this boundary is the first step to planning any customisation work.

What you can change on a standard plan

Shopify does provide a handful of configuration options that are accessible to every merchant. These are grouped under Settings → Checkout in the admin.

Branding elements

• Upload a logo (max 400 × 400 px) that appears above the form.
• Choose a colour for the button and accent elements – you can match your brand palette.
• Set a custom checkout background colour or a simple image (file size under 1 MB).

Form fields and validation

• Enable or disable the “Company” field, “Phone number” field, and “Address line 2”.
• Mark the “Address line 2” as optional or required.
• Choose whether to collect the “Order notes” field, which can be useful for special instructions.

Shipping and payment options

• Control the order in which shipping rates are displayed.
• Hide or show the “Buy it now” button on the cart page (which bypasses the cart).
• Enable accelerated checkout options such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shopify Pay, provided the payment gateway supports them.

Customer accounts and checkout language

• Require customers to log in before checkout, or allow guest checkout.
• Switch the checkout language to any of the 20+ supported locales.

Discount code handling

• Allow customers to enter a discount code on the first checkout page.
• Choose whether to display the discount amount before taxes.

Server‑side logic with Shopify Scripts (Shopify Scripts are only available on the Shopify Plus plan, but the free “Script Editor” app provides limited script capabilities for the cart and checkout on standard plans.)

On a regular plan you can install the free “Script Editor” app, which lets you write simple line‑item scripts that run during the checkout process. The scope is limited to discount logic and shipping method adjustments, but it does give you a way to apply conditional offers without a Plus subscription.

What stays locked without Plus

The following elements are not reachable through any of the built‑in settings or free apps. To modify them you must upgrade to Shopify Plus or use a third‑party checkout solution that replaces the native flow.

HTML and CSS of the checkout page

You cannot add custom classes, inject extra scripts, or rewrite the markup. This means no custom pop‑ups, no extra trust badges placed directly in the form, and no redesign of the field layout.

Multi‑step checkout redesign

The default checkout is a single‑page flow. Splitting it into multiple steps (e.g., separate shipping and payment pages) requires Plus.

Custom payment gateways

Only payment providers that are already listed in Shopify’s supported list can be added. If you need a bespoke gateway, you must use Shopify Plus’s “Custom Payment SDK” or a hosted solution.

Advanced checkout scripts

Shopify Scripts that run on the checkout (as opposed to the cart) are a Plus‑only feature. This includes complex conditional shipping rules, tiered discount structures, and custom tax calculations.

Checkout API access

The Checkout API, which lets you build a completely separate checkout experience while still using Shopify’s order processing, is restricted to Plus merchants.

Dynamic checkout fields

Adding new input fields (for example, a “Preferred delivery window” dropdown) is not possible without Plus. The only way to capture extra data is through order notes or a separate post‑checkout app.

Step‑by‑step method to maximise customisation on a non‑Plus store

The goal is to extract as much flexibility as the platform permits, while staying within the limits described above. Follow these six steps for a systematic approach.

1. Audit the current checkout

Run a free scan of your store using our free store scanner to see where your store is leaking. The audit will highlight missing branding elements, unused discount fields, and any friction points that could be improved with the settings you already have.

2. Align branding with the limited options

Upload a high‑resolution logo, choose a button colour that matches your primary brand hue, and set a background colour that provides sufficient contrast. Test the contrast ratio with a tool like WebAIM to ensure accessibility – a contrast of at least 4.5:1 is required for normal text.

3. Simplify the form fields

Open Settings → Checkout and turn off any optional fields that are not needed for your product type. For example, if you sell digital downloads, disable “Shipping address” entirely. Each hidden field reduces the cognitive load on the buyer and can lift conversion by a few percentage points, according to general UX research.

4. Use the free Script Editor for conditional discounts

Install the free Script Editor app from the Shopify App Store. Create a simple line‑item script that gives a 10 % discount when the cart total exceeds a threshold, such as R2 000. The script looks like this (pseudo‑code):

if cart.subtotal_price >= 2000 * 100 then
  discount = cart.subtotal_price * 0.10
  apply_discount(discount)
end

Save and test the script in preview mode. Because the script runs before the final payment step, the discount appears on the order summary, reinforcing the value proposition.

5. Enable accelerated checkout options

Navigate to Settings → Payments and activate Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shopify Pay if they are available for your region. These options reduce the number of clicks required to complete a purchase, especially on mobile devices.

6. Capture extra data without new fields

If you need to ask a question that does not fit into the existing fields, enable “Order notes”. Place a clear instruction in the cart page: “If you have a preferred delivery time, please add it in the order notes field below.” This workaround respects the locked markup while still gathering the information you need.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced operators can slip into habits that waste time or create compliance risks. Below are the most frequent errors and practical fixes.

• Trying to inject custom JavaScript into the checkout. Because the checkout is served from a Shopify domain, any external script is stripped for security. Instead, use the “Additional scripts” box under Settings → Checkout to add tracking pixels or conversion tags that are allowed.
• Relying on third‑party apps that claim “full checkout redesign”. Most of these apps embed an iframe or redirect to an external page, which can break payment gateway compliance. Verify that the app is listed in the Shopify App Store and read the reviews for any mention of PCI issues.
• Leaving the “Company” field enabled for B2C stores. This adds an unnecessary step for most consumers and can increase abandonment. Turn it off unless you sell to businesses.
• Neglecting mobile optimisation. Even though the checkout is responsive, custom background images can load slowly on 3G connections. Use compressed images under 200 KB and test on low‑bandwidth devices.
• Assuming discount codes are always the best incentive. Overusing discount fields can erode margin. Use the Script Editor to apply automatic discounts based on cart value instead of requiring the shopper to remember a code.

Quick checklist for non‑Plus checkout optimisation

• Upload logo and set brand colours in Settings → Checkout.
• Disable unnecessary fields (Company, Phone, Address line 2).
• Enable Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shopify Pay.
• Install the free Script Editor and add at least one conditional discount script.
• Activate order notes for any extra data you need.
• Place tracking pixels in the “Additional scripts” box, not in the page markup.
• Run the free store scanner to verify no hidden friction points remain.

By following the steps above you can push the standard Shopify checkout as far as the platform allows, without spending on Shopify Plus. The result is a cleaner, faster, and more brand‑aligned checkout that reduces abandonment and improves average order value.