The Complete Guide to Shopify’s Checkout Blocks App: Unlocking the Power of a Customized Shopify Checkout Experience
Learn everything you can do with the Shopify Checkout Blocks App to customize the Shopify Checkout, Thank You, and Order Status pages.
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, first impressions matter. But the final step—the checkout process—can make or break a sale. According to McKinsey, 80% of customers are more likely to make a purchase when brands offer personalized checkout experiences. This is where Shopify's Checkout Blocks app steps in, offering powerful features to help you customize the Shopify checkout process and increase sales.
Whether you’re looking to boost conversions, drive sales, or improve customer lifetime value (LTV), this app provides merchants with unmatched customization options.
Let’s dive into the capabilities of the Checkout Blocks app and how you can use it to transform your Shopify store.
What is the Checkout Blocks App?
When Shopify removed the ability to customize the checkout page—a feature previously available to Shopify Plus users—it left many merchants frustrated. Customization options were limited, and Plus users expressed dissatisfaction with the inability to tailor the checkout experience.
Recognizing the immense need in the market, Gil Greenberg developed the Checkout Blocks app, allowing merchants to regain control over their checkout pages, providing them with flexible customization tools that had been stripped away. Naturally, the app took off, Shopify took notice, and then acquired the app.
Today, Checkout Blocks is offered to all Shopify Basic accounts, with some features reserved for Shopify Plus merchants. We consider it a ‘Shopify super-app’ because of the endless customizations it offers and the clear benefit it gives merchants for boosting conversion rates and increasing customer lifetime-value (LTV).
In this guide, we’ll explore the four primary functions of the Checkout Blocks App:
- Customize Checkout Content
- Collect Specialized Information
- Offer Product Upsells
- Add Conditional Logic to Dynamic Content
1. Customize Checkout Content
The standard Shopify checkout page can feel a little stale. For merchants looking to make a lasting impression, Shopify’s Checkout Blocks app allows you to transform a basic checkout into a dynamic, branded experience that delights customers and drives conversions.
The app allows you to easily remove or rearrange elements on your checkout page. Also, you can add entirely new content blocks that help to inform and nudge customers at checkout. Integrating messages, reviews, or assurances at checkout can spice up the checkout process, improve customer trust, and ultimately boost sales.
Examples of what you can do:
- Add information banners to notify customers of important information (i.e. adding a note above the Shipping Address field that says “We don’t ship to PO boxes.”)
- Showcase product reviews to build confidence and encourage purchases.
- Display promotional offers or discounts directly on the checkout page.
Our client Apollo Performance Wear utilized the Checkout Blocks app to add a raving customer review to the checkout page, as well as reminding customers of their three guarantees they promise to them. In the image below, you will see how this custom checkout content appears on their checkout page, thus contributing to increased cart conversions:
2. Collect Specialized Information
Not only can you add custom content to the checkout page, but you can also customize what information you collect at checkout using Custom Fields in the Checkout Blocks App. Custom Fields let you gather details that help fulfill orders accurately, enhance personalization, and create a memorable shopping experience. Depending on your needs, collecting specialized information at checkout can greatly streamline post-purchase fulfillment, as well as improve future re-marketing efforts.
There are multiple templates available that pre-populate a custom field block's content and settings based on some common use cases:
- Agree to terms: This template requires a customer to agree to your terms of service that can be clicked on and displayed in a pop-up before checking out. The checkbox isn't selected by default.
- Birthday: This template gives customers the option to provide their date of birth during checkout for marketing purposes.
- Gift message: This template gives customers the option to include an optional written message when they're placing an order as a gift for someone else.
Our client Perini Ranch Steakhouse uses two of these Custom Fields at checkout. They use the Gift Message template, which if filled out, adds the customer’s gift message to the Order Details.
We also implemented a dynamic Shipping Date Selection Field which only populates in the checkout if a customer has a perishable product in their cart. This is controlled via product tags.
(Later in this article, we’ll discuss how you can use logic to set specific display rules of the Checkout Blocks content you wish to add.)
3. Offer Product Upsells in the Checkout
Perhaps the greatest feature of the Checkout Blocks App is the ability to offer product upsells in the checkout, right up to the moment of clicking buy. By offering enticing deals at the checkout, merchants can boost sales and average order value (AOV) without customers leaving the checkout page. It effectively turns the checkout page into an additional marketing page.
Powerful product upsell examples:
- Offer a free gift with purchase to reward loyalty.
- Suggest additional products directly on the checkout page to increase average order value.
- Combine offers, such as, “You’re $20 away from free shipping!”
- The Line Item Editing feature enables customers to modify quantities or variants directly in the checkout order summary, thus reducing friction.
Our client R&R CBD has found great success in adding product upsells in the checkout page, reminding customers how close they are to the next discount tier. The best part is that these product upsells (like all Checkout Blocks features) are a no-code implementation that takes less than five minutes and just a few clicks to implement.
4. Add Conditional Logic to Dynamic Content
The Checkout Blocks app allows you to implement conditional logic to elements of the Checkout page, customizing what customers see based on their unique needs.
Key features include:
- Delivery and Payment Method Customization: Hide, rename, or reorder delivery and payment methods to highlight the best options. See the following help articles for Customizing delivery methods in Checkout Blocks & Customizing payments methods in Checkout Blocks
- Setting Display Rules: Create conditions for when and where specific blocks appear.
- Prioritizing Blocks: Organize blocks by priority to control their display order.
For example, suppose you want to display three discount tiers:
- 10% off orders over $25
- 25% off orders over $50
- Free shipping on orders over $100
With Checkout Blocks, you can create rules that automatically show the relevant discount as customers meet each threshold. No coding required.
Our client Funky Chunky is currently using Checkout Blocks logic to dynamically update the language for their free shipping upsell, nudging people to spend just a little more to reach the next discount:
Editing the Thank You and Order Status Pages
The checkout process doesn’t end when a customer clicks “Place Order.” In fact, the post-purchase experience is a golden opportunity to reinforce your brand, build customer loyalty, and even drive additional revenue. Shopify’s Checkout Blocks app also allows you to customize the Thank You and Order Status pages, transforming them from static confirmations into engaging touchpoints.
A standard Shopify Thank You page typically includes a simple confirmation message, order details, and shipping information. While functional, it does little to keep customers engaged or encourage repeat business.
By customizing this page with the Checkout Blocks app, merchants can turn a transactional moment into an extension of their brand experience—whether that means guiding customers toward their next purchase or ensuring they get the most out of their order. Here are a few examples to get your mind thinking in the right direction of what’s possible.
Provide Helpful Resources
Your Thank You page is a great place to answer potential post-purchase questions and reduce customer support inquiries. Consider adding links to:
- Product care instructions to help customers maintain their purchases, such as washing guides for apparel or setup guides for electronics.
- FAQs about shipping and returns so customers know what to expect in terms of delivery times and exchange policies.
- User guides or tutorials for complex products, such as assembling furniture or setting up a tech gadget.
Drive Repeat Purchases with Upsells & Discounts
The Thank You page is an often-overlooked opportunity to encourage customers to shop again. By integrating dynamic content, merchants can:
- Offer a one-time discount code for the customer’s next purchase, increasing the likelihood of return visits.
- Highlight related or complementary products with a “Complete Your Routine” or “You May Also Like” section.
- Provide a referral incentive, encouraging customers to share a code with a friend for mutual discounts.
Reinforce Brand Loyalty with a Personalized Message
A generic “Thank you for your order” is fine, but a thoughtful, brand-aligned message makes a stronger impression. Consider:
- A heartfelt note from the founder sharing gratitude for the purchase.
- A short video message thanking customers for their support.
- A mission-driven statement, such as a sustainability promise or charitable contribution tied to their order.
By making the Thank You and Order Status pages more than just order confirmations, merchants can turn a routine step into a meaningful, engaging experience that keeps customers coming back.
Who Can Use the Checkout Blocks App?
The app is available to merchants on the Basic Shopify plan or higher, with additional advanced features for Shopify Plus merchants.
Basic Plan Features:
- Add custom content blocks and fields.
- Limited customization of delivery and payment methods.
Shopify Plus Features:
- Advanced dynamic logic for display rules.
- Product upsells and free shipping banners in the checkout.
- Deep branding control for blocks that match your store’s look and feel.
- Additional shipping and payment method customizations.
Installing and using the app is simple:
- Visit the Checkout Blocks page on the Shopify App Store.
- Click "Add App" and follow the prompts to install it.
- Once installed, you can access it through your Shopify admin panel or by going to Setting > Checkout > Customize.
Conclusion
Shopify’s Checkout Blocks app is a game-changer for merchants looking to customize the Shopify checkout and elevate their customer experience. From custom banners to dynamic discount tiers, the app equips you with the tools you need to boost conversions, drive sales, and create lasting customer impressions.
The app’s benefits are clear:
- Personalized Checkout Experience: Tailor every aspect of the checkout page to match your brand’s identity.
- Increased Conversions and Sales: Turn checkout into a high-converting touchpoint with upsells and dynamic content.
- Streamlined Process: Simplify the customer journey, reducing cart abandonment.
In summation, an upgraded and more robust checkout experience is available to you through the Checkout Blocks App and it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to implement it today.
If you own or operate a Shopify store and would like assistance integrating the Checkout Blocks app, we’re eager to help you. Please feel free to reach out to us here to schedule a meeting that works best with your schedule.