How to Enable Express Checkout Shopify

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Foundation: Why Checkout Speed Matters
3. Understanding Express Checkout Options
4. How to Enable Express Checkout on Shopify: Step-by-Step
5. Managing Dynamic Checkout Buttons on Product Pages
6. Optimize with Intention: The Cartly Pro Approach
7. What Cart/Checkout Optimization Tools Can and Cannot Do
8. Measuring Success: KPIs to Track
9. When to Bring in Help
10. The Role of Mobile-First Optimization
11. Balancing Speed and Average Order Value
12. Conclusion
13. FAQ

Introduction

Imagine a shopper landing on your store from a social media ad. They find a product they love, hit the buy button, and are met with a form asking for their name, email, shipping address, and credit card number. On a mobile device, this is the moment where most sales are lost. Typing long strings of numbers and addresses on a small screen is a high-friction experience that often leads to cart abandonment. This is why many merchants look for ways to streamline the final steps of the customer journey.

Express checkout—often called accelerated checkout—is a solution designed to remove these hurdles. It allows returning customers to bypass the traditional checkout flow by using saved payment and shipping information from providers like Shop Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. For Shopify merchants, enabling these options can significantly reduce the time it takes for a customer to complete a purchase, which often translates to higher conversion rates, especially on mobile devices.

In this article, we will walk through exactly how to enable express checkout on Shopify, while also exploring the strategic decisions behind which buttons to use and where to place them. Whether you are a new store owner setting up your first payment provider or a growing DTC brand looking to optimize your mobile experience, this guide will help you implement express checkout with intention.

At Cartly Pro, we believe that tools should support a larger commerce strategy. Our philosophy—Optimize with Intention—means we don't just add features because they exist. We start with foundations, clarify our goals, check for integrity and risks, implement the most effective changes, and then reassess based on data. Let’s dive into how to apply this framework to your checkout process.

The Foundation: Why Checkout Speed Matters

Before we flip the switch on express checkout buttons, we must ensure the store’s foundation is solid. An express checkout button cannot save a store that has a confusing layout, slow loading times, or a lack of basic trust signals. If a customer doesn't trust your brand or can't figure out your shipping policy, they won't click "Buy Now," no matter how fast the button is.

First, verify your product-market fit and ensure your product descriptions are clear, your images are high-quality, and your trust signals are in place. Second, ensure your site speed is optimized; a fast checkout is useless if the product page takes ten seconds to load. Finally, ensure your shipping and return policies are transparent and easy to find. Once these foundations are in place, express checkout becomes a powerful tool to amplify your existing success.

Key Takeaway: Speed is a secondary optimization. First, ensure your store provides a trustworthy, clear, and high-performing shopping experience.

Understanding Express Checkout Options

Before enabling the features, it is helpful to understand the different types of express checkout available within the Shopify ecosystem. These are generally categorized as accelerated checkouts.

Shop Pay

Shop Pay is Shopify's native accelerated checkout. It allows customers to save their email address, credit card, and shipping and billing information. Once a customer has used Shop Pay once (on any Shopify store), their information is recognized across the entire Shopify network. This creates a "network effect" that makes checkout incredibly fast for millions of shoppers.

Digital Wallets (Apple Pay and Google Pay)

These are device-specific wallets. If a customer is browsing on an iPhone or a Mac using Safari, Apple Pay will appear as an option. If they are on an Android device or using Chrome, Google Pay will appear. These are highly effective because they use biometric authentication (like FaceID or TouchID), making the purchase nearly instantaneous.

PayPal Express Checkout

PayPal is one of the most recognized payment brands globally. By enabling PayPal Express, you allow customers to log into their PayPal account to use their saved balance or linked cards. This is particularly useful for international customers or those who prefer not to share their credit card details directly with a new store.

How to Enable Express Checkout on Shopify: Step-by-Step

Enabling these options is done primarily through the Shopify admin settings. Depending on which provider you want to use, the steps vary slightly.

Enabling Shop Pay

Shop Pay is a feature of Shopify Payments. If you are already using Shopify Payments as your primary gateway, enabling Shop Pay is straightforward.

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Settings > Payments.
2. In the Shopify Payments section, click Manage.
3. Scroll down to the Shop Pay section and check the box to enable it.
4. Click Save.

Once enabled, the Shop Pay button will automatically appear on your checkout page and, depending on your theme settings, on your product pages as a dynamic checkout button.

Enabling Apple Pay and Google Pay

Like Shop Pay, these are managed through your payment provider settings.

1. Navigate to Settings > Payments.
2. In the Shopify Payments section, click Manage.
3. Under Wallets, check the boxes for Apple Pay and Google Pay.
4. Click Save.

Note that Apple Pay requires you to agree to their terms of service and may require domain verification, which Shopify usually handles automatically in the background.

Enabling PayPal Express

PayPal is often set up by default when you create a Shopify store using your sign-up email, but it requires manual activation to work correctly.

1. Go to Settings > Payments.
2. In the PayPal section, click Activate PayPal Express Checkout.
3. You will be redirected to PayPal to log in and grant permissions to Shopify.
4. Once completed, you will be sent back to your Shopify admin.

What to do next:

• Confirm your Shopify Payments account is fully verified to avoid payout delays.
• Check that your PayPal account is a "Business Account" to access all features.
• View your store on a mobile device to see how the buttons appear.

Managing Dynamic Checkout Buttons on Product Pages

Enabling the payment methods in your settings is the first step, but you also need to decide if you want these buttons to appear directly on your product pages. These are called "Dynamic Checkout Buttons."

A dynamic checkout button allows a customer to skip the cart entirely and go straight from the product page to the express checkout interface. While this is great for speed, it can sometimes interfere with your goal of increasing Average Order Value (AOV) because the customer doesn't have a chance to see upsells or add-ons in the cart.

How to toggle dynamic checkout buttons:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes.
2. Click Customize next to your active theme.
3. Navigate to a Product Page using the top dropdown menu.
4. Find the Product Information section in the left sidebar.
5. Look for a block titled Buy Buttons.
6. Check or uncheck the box labeled Show dynamic checkout buttons.
7. Click Save.

Caution: When dynamic checkout buttons are enabled, the button will typically show the brand of the customer's preferred method (e.g., it will say "Buy with Shop Pay"). If no preferred method is detected, it will usually show a generic "Buy it now" button.

Optimize with Intention: The Cartly Pro Approach

At Cartly Pro, we see many merchants enable every possible express checkout button without considering the customer journey. Our "Optimize with Intention" approach suggests a more measured path.

Clarify the Goal

Are you trying to solve a high abandonment rate on mobile? Or are you trying to move customers through the funnel as fast as possible? If your goal is mobile conversion, Apple Pay and Shop Pay are your best friends. If your goal is increasing AOV, you might want to encourage customers to visit the cart drawer first before they hit an express checkout button.

Integrity and Risk Check

Adding too many buttons can lead to "choice paralysis." If a customer sees five different colored buttons (Shop Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay, GPay, Amazon Pay), the interface becomes cluttered and confusing. This is a "dark pattern" in reverse—instead of tricking the user, you are overwhelming them.

Also, consider performance. Each express checkout button requires a small script to load. While Shopify is very efficient, having an excessive number of third-party integrations can eventually impact page load speeds.

Implement Minimal Effective Improvements

Instead of cluttering the product page, many successful merchants use a high-performance cart drawer. If you want to test that setup, install Cartly.

By placing express checkout buttons in the cart drawer rather than just the product page, you balance the need for speed with the opportunity to increase the total order value.

Reassess and Refine

After enabling express checkout, don't just leave it. Look at your analytics. Is your checkout completion rate improving? Is your AOV dropping because people are skipping your upsells? Use this data to decide if you should move the buttons or change which ones are prioritized.

What Cart/Checkout Optimization Tools Can and Cannot Do

It is important to have realistic expectations when modifying your checkout flow.

What they can do:

• Reduce Friction: By removing the need to type addresses, you make it easier for "impulse" or mobile buyers to finish their purchase.
• Increase Clarity: Well-placed buttons tell the customer exactly what to do next.
• Improve Mobile UX: Wallets like Apple Pay are specifically designed for the limitations of mobile browsing.
• Build Trust: Seeing familiar logos like PayPal or Shop Pay can make a new customer feel more secure buying from an unfamiliar brand.

What they cannot do:

• Replace Product-Market Fit: If people don't want your product or the price is too high, a faster button won't help.
• Fix Poor Traffic Quality: If you are sending disinterested visitors to your site, they won't buy regardless of how easy the checkout is.
• Guarantee Revenue Lifts: Every store is different. While many see improvements, factors like your niche, customer demographics, and product price point play a massive role.

Measuring Success: KPIs to Track

When you change how customers check out, you should monitor specific metrics to ensure the change is positive. In plain English, here is what to look for:

• Conversion Rate: The percentage of visitors who complete a purchase. If express checkout is working, this should stay steady or increase.
• Average Order Value (AOV): The average amount spent per order. Be careful that express checkout doesn't cause this to drop by making it too easy to skip "add-on" items.
• Cart Abandonment Rate: The percentage of people who add items to their cart but don't finish. Express checkout is specifically designed to lower this.
• Checkout Completion Rate: Of the people who actually started the checkout process, how many finished? This is the most direct measure of checkout friction.
• Revenue Per Visitor (RPV): This combines conversion rate and AOV to give you a "big picture" view of whether your changes are making more money overall.

We recommend making one change at a time. If you enable Shop Pay, PayPal, and Apple Pay all on the same day, you won't know which one had the biggest impact (or if one of them actually caused a conflict).

When to Bring in Help

Most Shopify merchants can enable express checkout using the built-in settings. However, there are times when you should consult a professional.

Theme Conflicts and Custom Code

If you are using a heavily customized or older theme, express checkout buttons might not appear correctly or could look "broken" (e.g., overlapping other elements). If you aren't comfortable with the Shopify Theme Editor or CSS, reach out to a Shopify developer or visit our help center. Always test changes on a duplicate theme first.

Payments and Security

If you encounter issues with "unauthorized" status or if your payment gateway is declined, contact Shopify Support or your payment provider (like PayPal) immediately. Do not attempt to "hack" your way around payment security settings.

Legal and Compliance

Tax laws, consumer privacy (like GDPR or CCPA), and pricing transparency laws vary by region. If you are unsure if your checkout flow meets local requirements—especially regarding how taxes or shipping are displayed before the final click—consult a legal professional or a compliance specialist.

The Role of Mobile-First Optimization

Mobile traffic now accounts for the majority of eCommerce visits. On mobile, every tap and every second matters. This is where express checkout truly shines. When optimizing for mobile, it can also help to think about sticky add-to-cart widgets alongside express checkout.

1. Check Button Size: Ensure the buttons are large enough to be easily tapped with a thumb.
2. Avoid Clutter: On a small screen, two express buttons are usually better than four.
3. Test the "Thumb Zone": Place your primary "Add to Cart" or express checkout buttons where they are easy to reach.
4. Monitor Load Times: Dynamic buttons can sometimes "pop in" after the rest of the page loads, which can cause the layout to jump. This is frustrating for users and should be minimized.

By focusing on the mobile experience, you are optimizing for the way the modern world shops. Express checkout is not just a convenience; for mobile users, it is often a necessity.

Balancing Speed and Average Order Value

There is a natural tension between making a purchase "instant" and encouraging a customer to buy more. If a customer clicks an express checkout button on the product page, they are gone—they are in the payment interface. You have lost the chance to show them a "Frequently Bought Together" bundle or a "Spend $10 more for Free Shipping" notification.

To solve this, we recommend a tiered approach, and cart drawer vs popup cart is a useful comparison:

• Product Page: Use a clear "Add to Cart" button as the primary action.
• Cart Drawer: Once the item is added, show the cart drawer. This is your "Value Zone." Here, you can show the free shipping progress bar and relevant upsells.
• Express Checkout placement: Place the Shop Pay or PayPal buttons at the bottom of the cart drawer.

This journey allows you to maximize the value of the order while still giving the customer the "express" experience they want once they are ready to pay.

Conclusion

Enabling express checkout on Shopify is one of the most effective ways to reduce friction and improve the customer journey, particularly for mobile shoppers. By following a structured approach, you can ensure that these tools support your business goals without compromising your store's integrity or performance.

To summarize the journey:

• Foundations first: Ensure your site is fast, trustworthy, and clear before focusing on checkout speed.
• Clarify the goal: Identify if you are solving for mobile conversion or general abandonment.
• Integrity check: Avoid cluttering your UI with too many competing buttons.
• Optimize with intention: Implement express checkout buttons where they make the most sense—ideally within a cart drawer that allows for AOV optimization.
• Reassess: Use data like conversion rate and AOV to refine your strategy over time.

Final Thought: Optimization is a marathon, not a sprint. The goal is to create a seamless, respectful experience that makes it easy for your customers to say "yes" to your products.

If you are looking to create a better balance between speed and order value, consider how a cart drawer can bridge the gap between your product pages and your checkout. By layering features carefully and always keeping the customer’s experience at the center of your decisions, you’ll build a more resilient and successful Shopify store, and try Cartly on your Shopify store.

FAQ

Will enabling express checkout slow down my Shopify store?

While adding any new feature involves loading a script, Shopify’s native express checkout options (like Shop Pay and Apple Pay) are highly optimized for performance. However, enabling a large number of third-party payment buttons simultaneously can lead to slight delays and a cluttered visual experience. We recommend enabling only the most relevant providers for your audience—typically Shop Pay, one digital wallet (Apple/Google), and PayPal. If you want to test an app-based option too, install Cartly.

Can I use express checkout buttons with subscription products?

Yes, but it depends on your subscription app and the payment provider. Shop Pay, for example, supports many subscription setups on Shopify. However, some older subscription integrations may require the customer to go through the standard checkout flow to agree to recurring billing terms. Always check your subscription app’s documentation and test the flow yourself to ensure the "express" experience doesn't bypass necessary legal disclosures.

Why doesn't Apple Pay show up on my desktop computer?

Apple Pay is device and browser-specific. It will only appear to customers using the Safari browser on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that has Apple Pay set up. If you are testing your store on a Chrome browser or a Windows computer, you will not see the Apple Pay button. Similarly, Google Pay is most commonly seen by users on Android devices or Chrome browsers where they are logged into a Google account with saved payment methods.

How do I know if Shop Pay is better than PayPal for my store?

There is no need to choose only one; many merchants successfully use both. Shop Pay is excellent for the "Shopify ecosystem" and offers features like Shop Pay Installments. PayPal has massive global trust and is often preferred by international shoppers. The best way to decide is to look at your "Payments" report in Shopify Analytics to see which methods your customers are currently choosing, then optimize the visibility of the most popular ones. For a real-world example, see the Lace Lab case study.