What is Group Payments and How to Enable it in Your Shopify Store?

To grow sales in your Shopify store, you must prioritize providing consumer-first purchase experience.  And, handling payments in a way that’s simple for customers and efficient for your business is key to growing sales. 

The group payment option is gaining attention among Shopify merchants. This feature lets multiple people contribute to a single order, making it easier to sell higher-value products or services that customers might want to split with friends, family, or teammates.

In this post, we’ll explain how group payments work, why they can boost your conversions, and how to set them up in your Shopify store.

What Are Group Payments?

Group payments (also called shared payments or split payments) allow multiple people to pay for one order in your Shopify store. Instead of requiring a single customer to shoulder the entire cost of a purchase, this payment method enables the financial responsibility to be distributed among several individuals.

Think of it as a digital version of passing the hat around for a collective gift or group purchase. Each participant contributes their portion directly through your checkout process, creating a seamless experience for everyone involved.

Group payment example: A Shopify store sells premium coffee machines for $1,200. Instead of one customer paying the full amount, the store offers group payments, allowing three friends to each pay $400. This makes the purchase more affordable and encourages faster sales.

Common Use Cases for Group Payments in Shopify

Here are some common use cases for group payments in Shopify:

• Event tickets – Friends or coworkers can split the cost of attending a concert, workshop, or conference.

• Gifting – Several people can chip in for a shared gift, such as a wedding present, birthday surprise, or baby shower gift.

• High-value products – Customers can combine funds to buy costly items like furniture, electronics, or luxury goods.

• Subscriptions or memberships – Groups can share the cost of a subscription plan or club membership.

• Custom orders – Teams or organizations can divide payments for bulk purchases or custom-made products.

• Group travel and experience bookings – Multiple people can split the cost of booking accommodations, tours, or event tickets, making group experiences easier to organize.

Step-by-Step: Activating Group Payments in Shopify

1. Install a Dedicated Split Payment App

Shopify’s native checkout lacks built-in group payment functionality. Apps like Split Payment add this capability without coding. Install from the Shopify App Store – setup takes under 15 minutes. Ensure the solution supports collaborative checkout process features like email invoicing and partial payment tracking.

2. Configure Payment Rules & Limits

Decide which products qualify for group payments. High-margin items? Big-ticket electronics? Set minimum order values or category restrictions.

Pro tip: Use payment options for Shopify strategically – allow splits on items where the upside outweighs payment processing fees.

3. Customize the Checkout Experience

Match the divide payment between customers to your store’s branding. Add clear CTAs like “Split This Purchase” on product pages. Test tooltip explanations – shoppers should instantly grasp how to invite others to contribute. For advanced customization, reference our split payments setup guide.

Install the Split Payment app today and start offering your customers the flexible payment options they're looking for. 

This article was created with assistance from vevy.ai and proofread, fact-checked, and validated by its author.