United Capital Source Logo

What is Shop Pay: Benefits, Drawbacks & How to Activate

Shop Pay logo

Small business owners who sell products with an online or eCommerce store know the frustration of abandoned carts and lost sales. Many customers say they abandon carts when shopping online because the checkout process is too complicated or they don’t trust the website with their payment information.

Shop Pay offers a one-click solution for swift and secure transactions to increase online sales conversions. With its speedy process, trusted protection, and the credibility of the Shopify brand, Shop Pay simplifies how your customers shop online.

This guide explores how Shop Pay works, including the benefits, drawbacks, and how to start selling with the service to help you decide if it’s right for your business. Specifically, we’ll answer these questions and more:

Join our Newsletter for great tips and updates.

    We will help you grow your small business.

    What is Shop Pay?

    wallet, money, credit card

    Shop Pay is an accelerated checkout option offered by Shopify for online shoppers. It allows customers to securely save their shipping and payment information, making the checkout process faster and more convenient.

    With Shop Pay, customers can complete their purchases with just a click, eliminating the need to re-enter their payment card details for every transaction. This streamlined checkout experience saves time and helps reduce cart abandonment rates, ultimately leading to higher conversion rates for merchants.

    Additionally, Shop Pay offers features like order tracking and carbon offsetting, making it a comprehensive solution for buyers and sellers in e-commerce. Merchants can compare Shop Pay to other streamlined checkout services like Amazon Prime.

    Shop Pay Installments

    Shop Pay Installments is a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) feature that allows customers to split their purchases into fixed payments. It’s available for purchases between $50 to $20,000.

    There are two available plans.

    Pay in 4 Installments (For Purchases between $50 – $999): This plan allows customers to split their purchases into four bi-weekly payments. This option is interest-free and does not impact credit scores. There is no credit check to apply.

    Pay Monthly (For Purchases between $150 – $20,000): This plan allows customers to split purchases into equal monthly payments with terms of 3, 6, or 12 months. APRs range from 0% – 36%. There is no credit check to apply, but payments may be reported to the credit bureaus.

    Customers can select Shop Pay Installments at checkout and enjoy their items immediately while paying for them in installments. This feature aims to make shopping more accessible and affordable for customers, especially for larger purchases.

    How does Shop Pay work?

    ecommerce, shopping, cart

    Shop Pay simplifies the checkout process, securely storing payment information in a Shop Pay account. This feature makes future purchases on Shopify shop apps and other sales channels quick and convenient with saved information.

    By streamlining the checkout experience, Shop Pay ensures a smooth transaction process for online shoppers. It benefits customers by providing a hassle-free payment method and supports commerce businesses in increasing sales through improved user experience and convenient payment solutions.

    Shopify Payments and Shop Pay

    Shopify Payments is a payment processing service that allows merchants to accept credit card payments directly through their online store. Shop Pay is a feature that is included for free for Shopify Payments customers. It provides a streamlined checkout experience for customers, leading to higher conversion rates.

    Merchants who don’t use Shopify Payments can still take advantage of Shop Pay by using third-party merchant services. These services integrate with Shop Pay to provide customers with a similarly fast and secure checkout experience, even if they are not using Shopify Payments directly. This allows merchants to still benefit from the convenience and efficiency of Shop Pay, even if they are using a different payment processor.

    Shop Pay Customer Experience

    Shop Pay is designed to streamline the customer checkout experience, leading to higher conversions and fewer abandoned carts. Here’s how customers can use Shop Pay:

    • After adding items to their cart, customers can proceed to checkout.
    • Customers can choose Shop Pay as their payment method.
    • If they have used Shop Pay before, they can log in with their email and password. If not, they can quickly create an account with the required details.
    • Customers can review their shipping address and payment information before finalizing the purchase.
    • Shop Pay securely stores their payment information for future purchases, streamlining the checkout process.
    • Customers receive a confirmation email once the order is successfully placed.

    Is Shop Pay only available for Shopify Stores?

    telework, technology, laptop

    Shop Pay is primarily designed for Shopify stores and offers a seamless checkout experience. Customers can benefit from fast and secure checkout, Shop Pay Installments, and managing their Shop Pay account.

    While optimized for Shopify stores, Shop Pay is also available for other commerce platforms and sales channels, expanding payment processing options. Customers can enjoy these benefits regardless of the online store they are shopping in, making it a versatile checkout option for various e-commerce platforms.

    What are the benefits of Shop Pay?

    good, hand, up

    Shop Pay offers merchants a range of benefits, making it a valuable payment option for businesses. One of the main advantages is the faster checkout process, which allows customers to complete their purchases quickly and easily.

    This can help reduce cart abandonment rates and boost conversion rates for merchants. Additionally, Shop Pay offers increased security through encryption and fraud protection, helping to safeguard sensitive customer information and build trust with customers.

    The seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms makes it easy for merchants to set up and accept payments, saving time and resources. Shop Pay securely stores customer information, enabling returning customers to check out with just a few clicks, which can encourage repeat purchases and foster customer loyalty over time.

    What are the drawbacks of Shop Pay?

    bad, hand, down

    While Shop Pay offers several benefits, merchants should also consider the disadvantages. One of the primary drawbacks is that Shop Pay is unavailable in every language and has limited availability in countries outside the US.

    Merchants typically pay higher fees for customers using Shop Pay Installments. Merchant fees are typically around 5.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.

    Fees can also add up for merchants who aren’t using Shopify Payments. Users would pay Shopify fees and merchant fees from their third-party merchant services provider.

    Shop Pay also doesn’t allow digital payments like crypto or gift cards. This limits the effectiveness of Shop Pay as a checkout system for customers.

    Shop Pay Pros & Cons

    pros, and, cons

    Pros:

    • Faster checkout process.
    • Increased data security through encryption and fraud protection.
    • Seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms.
    • Secure storage of customer information for quick checkouts.
    • Encourages repeat purchases and fosters customer loyalty.

    Cons:

    • Limited availability in languages and countries outside the US.
    • Higher transaction fees for customers using Shop Pay Installments.
    • Additional fees for merchants not using Shopify Payments.
    • Does not allow for digital payments like crypto or gift cards.

    How do I activate Shop Pay for my eCommerce store?

    e-commerce, online commerce, online store

    To activate Shop Pay for your eCommerce store, follow these instructions:

    1. Log in to your Shopify account and navigate to the “Settings” section.
    2. Click on “Payments” in the menu.
    3. Scroll down to the “Accelerated Checkouts” section and click “Manage” next to Shop Pay.
    4. Toggle the switch to enable Shop Pay for your store.
    5. Follow the prompts to set up Shop Pay, including entering your business information and connecting a bank account for payouts.
    6. Once Shop Pay is activated, customers will see it as a payment option at checkout, offering them a faster and more seamless experience.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    question mark, important, sign

    Here are the most common questions about Shop Pay.

    What’s the difference between Shopify Payments vs Shop Pay?

    scale, question, importance

    Shopify Payments and Shop Pay are two distinct features offered by Shopify that serve different purposes. Shopify Payments is a payment processing system that enables merchants to accept credit card payments directly through their Shopify store. On the other hand, Shop Pay is a streamlined checkout service designed to make purchasing faster and more convenient for customers.

    One key difference is that Shopify Payments is geared towards merchants, while Shop Pay focuses on enhancing the customer experience. With Shopify Payments, merchants can easily set up their online store to accept credit card payments without needing a third-party payment processor, simplifying the payment process for the merchant and the customer.

    On the other hand, Shop Pay is a feature that customers can take advantage of during checkout. By activating Shop Pay, customers can securely save their payment and shipping information, making future purchases on Shopify stores quick and easy. This streamlined checkout process can lead to higher conversion rates for merchants and encourage repeat business from satisfied customers.

    What is the Shop App?

    The Shop App is a mobile application that allows users to track their online orders, discover new products, and receive personalized recommendations from their favorite stores. One of the Shop App’s key features is Shop Pay, a secure payment method that stores users’ payment and shipping information for a faster checkout process.

    Using Shop Pay within the Shop App allows customers to enjoy a seamless and convenient shopping experience across multiple online retailers. This integration enhances the overall shopping experience by providing a one-stop solution for easily tracking orders and making purchases.

    How does mobile shopping work with Shop Pay?

    Shop Pay streamlines the mobile shopping experience by securely storing payment information in the Shop Pay account. This feature enables swift and convenient checkout on the Shopify app.

    The seamless integration of Shop Pay with various commerce platforms enhances the overall mobile shopping experience. It provides a smooth and efficient checkout process and offers multiple payment options to cater to diverse customer preferences.

    Is Shop Pay secure?

    Shop Pay offers several security features to protect customer information during transactions. One key feature is tokenization, which replaces sensitive card information with a unique token.

    Additionally, Shop Pay uses encryption to secure data transmitted between devices and servers. This ensures that any information shared during checkout is protected from cyber threats.

    Verified Purchases

    Shop Pay requires verified purchases, which helps reduce chargebacks for merchants by ensuring that the transactions are legitimate and authorized. Customers must verify purchases on the Shop App using a code they receive via text message. This two-factor verification process helps ensure legitimate transactions.

    Shopify Protect Fraud Prevention

    Shopify Protect is a feature offered by Shopify that helps prevent fraud by providing tools and resources to merchants to identify and mitigate fraudulent activities. It includes features such as chargeback protection, fraud analysis, and risk analysis to help merchants protect their businesses from fraudulent transactions. By utilizing Shopify Protect, merchants can reduce the risk of financial loss and maintain the trust of their customers.

    Is Shop Pay worth it?

    When deciding on Shop Pay for your business, consider its potential to increase conversion rates with a streamlined checkout process and saved payment info. Features like order tracking and customer support can enhance the shopping experience.

    Calculate the costs versus benefits to align with your goals and budget. Integration with Shopify makes setup and management easy. Evaluate the benefits of increased conversions, customer satisfaction, and ease of use against associated fees for an informed decision.

    What are the alternatives to Shop Pay?

    While Shop Pay is a leading option in the eCommerce sector, several alternatives exist.

    PayPal

    PayPal is another popular online payment platform that offers a secure way for customers to make purchases. Compared to Shop Pay, PayPal is widely accepted by many online retailers and offers buyer protection and the ability to link multiple payment methods. While Shop Pay is more streamlined for Shopify users, PayPal provides a more universal payment option for online shoppers.

    Apple Pay

    Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service by Apple Inc. that allows users to pay using their devices. It is secure, convenient, and widely accepted at various retailers, making it a popular choice for contactless payments.

    Google Pay

    Google Pay is a digital wallet platform developed by Google that allows users to make payments and transfer money using their mobile devices. In comparison, Shop Pay is a payment option offered by Shopify that allows customers to save their payment information for quick and secure checkout on Shopify-powered online stores. While Google Pay is more widely accepted at various merchants, Shop Pay offers a seamless checkout experience specifically tailored for Shopify users.

    Amazon Pay

    Amazon Pay is a digital wallet service offered by Amazon that allows customers to make online payments on third-party websites using their Amazon account information. In comparison, Shop Pay offers a similar payment method for faster and more secure checkout experiences on Shopify-powered stores. Both services aim to streamline the online shopping process, but Amazon Pay is more widely accepted across various websites, while Shop Pay is specifically tailored for Shopify merchants.

    What is Shop Pay – Final Thoughts

    online shopping, amazon, shop

    Activating Shop Pay could streamline your checkout process, enhance customer trust, and potentially boost sales. While evaluating its worthiness for your business, consider the convenience it offers customers and its potential impact on your conversion rates.

    Exploring alternatives to Shop Pay can provide you with a broader perspective on payment solutions that align best with your business goals. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before integrating Shop Pay into your store. Your customers’ shopping experience and the efficiency of your checkout process are critical factors in driving success in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

    Contact us if you have more questions about Shop Pay or to apply for a small business loan. Our alternative business financing experts can help you find the best funding options for eCommerce or other business goals.

    We will help you grow your small business.

    Share this post:

    Written by

    Most Recent Articles

    Ready to grow your business? See how much you qualify for:

      Current monthly sales deposit average to your business bank account?

      How much Working Capital would you like for your business?

      AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC
      Need Instant Help?
      Call Us Now At:

        Current monthly sales deposit average to your business bank account?

        How much Working Capital would you like for your business?

        At UCS, we understand the value of your time and want to ensure that your application has a great chance of approval. Please take note of the following details before applying:
        • To be eligible, it’s necessary to have a business bank account with a well-established U.S. bank such as Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citibank, or other major banks. Unfortunately, online-based bank accounts like PayPal, Chime, CashApp, etc., are not permitted.
        • When describing your current average monthly sales deposits to your business bank account, please provide accurate information. Our approval process is based on your current business performance, and it’s essential to provide accurate details about your current sales in the first question on the application form. We cannot approve applications based on projected revenues after receiving funding.
        We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a smooth and successful application process.
        5/5
        |
        1500+ 5 star reviews
        5/5
        1500+ 5 star reviews

        Take a minute, Get a FREE Consultation

        Your Connection is
        securely encrypted

        $1.2+ Billion Matched to US Businesses