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4 Steps to Optimize Checkout Validation Rules on Shopify

Surya V
December 17, 2024
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With the newly introduced Shopify Functions and Checkout UI extension, Shopify stores can deliver a superior experience during the checkout process by integrating Custom Fields, Product Upsells, and Custom Logics. It's a pivotal moment for Shopify's Checkout, which is poised to facilitate global business expansion for eCommerce and DTC stores.

You can read the entire feature set of Shopify Checkout Extensibility in our detailed article.

With Shopify Checkout Extensibility, Shopify has opened up new avenues to add validation rules on Checkout. Shopify Checkout Validation is implementing specific rules and checks during the checkout process to ensure the accuracy and completeness of shopper's data. These validations ensure that customer data, such as contact information, addresses, and payment details, are accurate and complete, thereby increasing the efficiency and security of transactions.

If you haven't migrated your Shopify checkout yet, here's a short video for you to migrate your checkout in 6 easy steps:

The checkout page represents a critical stage, wherein merchants aspire to minimize errors, recognizing that even the slightest misstep can prompt customers to abandon their carts, impacting potential sales significantly.Within this blog, we will focus on how brands can use Shopify Checkout Validation Best Practices and optimize it for enhanced conversion rates. Let's explore what can be achieved through the three-step approach to checkout.

Want to understand more about Shopify Checkout Extensibility features?

4 Steps for Shopify Checkout Validation

1. Contact Information Validation

Validating customer contact information helps maintain direct communication and reduce errors:

  • Mobile Number Validation: Ensure the accuracy and completeness of provided phone numbers. Verify the mobile number against the country code and prompt the user if the digit count does not adhere with the country's specifications.
  • Email ID Validation: Verify the correctness of email addresses. Prompt the user if they don’t  use '@' symbol in the email. Block emails from disposable domains, as they could potentially result in fake orders.
  • Discount Field Validation: Validate discount codes, ensuring they are accurate and functional. In case, the discount is expired, alert on where they can find more discounts can decrease abandoned carts.
  • Custom Text and Color: Customize error messages for clarity and visibility. You can refer here for the most ideal warning hex codes to be used.
Steps to Optimize Checkout Validation Rules on Shopify
Contact Information Validation
Reducing User Errors and Frustration 🤯
By guiding customers through accurate data submission, validation rules minimize errors and frustration, leading to smoother transactions and reduced cart abandonment rates.

2. Shopify Address Validation

Shopify address validation is pivotal for accurate order fulfillment and shipping. You can use a Shopify address validation app for this purpose. Shopify Checkout Extensibility allows merchants to enforce various rules to validate addresses:

  • Address Line 1 Completion: Ensure customers provide a complete address to avoid shipping mishaps. Setting a minimum character limit can motivate users to be more descriptive.
  • Incoherent Address Detection: Identify addresses that appear inaccurate or incomplete. Add filters for Gibberish words and Monkey Typing to reduce misspelled addresses.
  • Matching Zip Code to Address: Confirm that the provided zip code corresponds to the entered address.
Address Validation on Shopify Checkout
Address Validation

3. Shopify Payment Method Validation

Shopify Payment Validation Rules is equally important to prevent transaction errors and fraud orders. These are the key aspects of payment method validation :

  • Credit Card Validation: Verifying credit card information is essential to prevent transaction failures and fraud. Merchants can implement third party apps like RiskSeal which validates the card number's structure and validity.
  • Billing Address Matching: It's important to confirm that the billing address provided during checkout matches the address associated with the payment method. Mismatched addresses could indicate potential fraud.
  • Payment Gateway Compatibility: Different payment gateways have varying validation requirements. Merchants should implement checks that are compatible with the selected payment gateway to ensure smooth transactions.
  • Payment Method Availability: Some payment methods might not be available in certain regions or for certain products. Merchants can validate the compatibility of the chosen payment method with the customer's location and the items in their cart.
  • Fraud Detection: Implement fraud detection mechanisms to identify and flag potentially fraudulent transactions. This could involve analyzing transaction patterns, IP addresses, and other factors.
Payment Method Validation on Shopify
Payment Method Validation
Mitigating Fradulent Activities
Sophisticated address validation and other fraud prevention rules minimize the risk of fraudulent orders, protecting your business and customers.

4. Custom JS Scripts and Business-specific Rules

Shopify Checkout Extensibility enables merchants to employ custom JavaScript scripts for advanced validation:

  • Custom Fields Validation: Implement validation rules for custom fields based on specific business requirements.
  • Field Format Validation: Ensure that fields like email, phone numbers, and ZIP codes adhere to the required format.
  • Quantity and Inventory Validation: Prevent customers from ordering quantities exceeding available stock.
  • Discount Code Validation: Validate discount codes against predefined criteria.
Custom JS Scripts and Business-specific Rules
Providing Meaningful Error Messages
Customized error messages help customers understand and rectify mistakes promptly, contributing to a positive user experience.

Want to see effective examples of customized checkout pages?

Common Checkout Validation Errors on Shopify and How to Avoid Them

In the Shopify Checkout Validation, several common mistakes can hamper the customer experience and your store's efficiency. Here's a rundown of some mistakes and practical steps to avoid them:

  1. Too Many Steps: Over-complicating the checkout process with excessive steps is a major issue. Customers should be able to add items to their cart and fill out billing information later​​.
  2. Excessive Details: Asking for too many details can be off-putting. Keep form fields to a minimum, focusing on relevance and utility.
  3. Broken Links: These can ruin the customer experience and SEO. Regular audits and the use of tools like Google Search Console can help identify and fix broken links​​.
  4. Lack of Trust Badges: Security badges and SSL certificates are crucial for building customer trust. These can significantly boost conversion rates​​.
  5. Unclear Refund and Return Policies: Ensure your policies are clear and easily accessible​​
  6. Hidden Shipping Costs and Taxes: Be upfront about any extra costs. Displaying all charges clearly can prevent checkout abandonment. Shopify shipping address validation is just as important as other types of validation.

Shopify's Checkout Extensibility introduces a new dimension to e-commerce by enabling merchants to seamlessly integrate validation rules directly into their checkout process. From basic address and contact information validation to advanced custom scripting, these rules significantly enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and security of the checkout experience. By reducing errors, minimizing cart abandonment, and ensuring data integrity, validation rules play a pivotal role in the success of an online store.

Looking to customise checkout validations? Try Checkout Wizard which helps Shopify stores to incorporate validations into each field and action, and even craft your own custom fields.

Also Read how can you boost conversions with trust badges on your Shopify store?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best practices for checkout validation on Shopify?

Prioritize validating essential customer information like address, contact details, and payment. Provide clear error messages to guide customers. Tailor validation rules to your specific business needs for an optimal checkout experience.

2. How does checkout validation benefit my Shopify store?

Effective checkout validation can boost sales by streamlining the purchase process, enhance customer satisfaction through clear guidance, prevent fraud transactions, and increase efficiency by ensuring accurate order information.

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FAQs on Shopify Validation

Does Shopify have address validation?
What is client-side validation on Shopify?
What is server side validation on Shopify?
Server-side validation on Shopify involves performing checks on cart and checkout data on the server before the transaction is processed. This type of validation ensures that specific criteria are met, such as enforcing order limits, verifying customer eligibility, or applying business logic that cannot be bypassed by the customer. For example, with server-side validation, merchants can set rules to prevent customers with insufficient order history from placing large orders or ensure that loyalty points or discounts are correctly applied. This validation ensures that important conditions are checked before the order proceeds to completion. Shopify provides Shopify Functions to implement server-side validation, which is the recommended method for enforcing business rules. This validation is available for online store carts, custom storefronts, and during the checkout process. The advantage of server-side validation is that it cannot be bypassed by the customer, ensuring that all business rules are enforced securely before an order is finalized. In summary, server-side validation helps merchants enforce critical rules and logic, maintaining integrity and reducing the risk of fraudulent or unwanted transactions.

Surya V

Surya leads Product Management at Skai Lama. He talks about Shopify Checkout, Conversion Optimization, and growth tactics for Shopify Plus stores.
Get higher conversions with Checkout Wiz
Get higher conversions with Checkout Wiz
Transform your Shopify Checkout with Custom Blocks, Upsell Widgets, Surveys and Full Branding Control
Available on Thank You Page
Available on Order Status Page
Skyrocket Your Sales with Checkout Wiz: Unlock 10+ Conversion Boosting Features!
Skyrocket Your Sales with Checkout Wiz: Unlock 10+ Conversion Boosting Features!
Transform your checkout with Checkout Wiz: Enjoy custom content blocks, upsell widgets, surveys, and full branding control for maximum conversions and revenue.
Transform your checkout with Checkout Wiz: Enjoy custom content blocks, upsell widgets, surveys, and full branding control for maximum conversions and revenue.
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