Jul 2, 2025

Shopify tips

10+ Payment Options Every Shopify Store Should Offer to Maximize Sales

Andrey Gadashevich

CEO | Conversion expert

Cart abandoned. Sale lost. Customer gone.

That three-part tragedy plays out thousands of times daily across Shopify stores worldwide—and often for one surprisingly simple reason.

According to the Baymard Institute, 10% of shoppers leave their purchases simply because they can't pay the way they want to.

Those missing payment options aren't just minor inconveniences—they're profit killers.

As shoppers increasingly expect both convenience and flexibility, your Shopify store faces a clear choice: adapt your checkout experience to meet these demands or watch those potential customers click over to competitors who will.

Let's dive into the payment solutions that could transform your conversion rates and keep those virtual shopping carts rolling through checkout.

Why Multiple Payment Methods Matter for Your Shopify Store's Success

Before we jump into specific options, let's talk about why payment diversity isn't just a nice-to-have.

Every bit of payment friction sends potential customers running. About 22% of shoppers will straight-up abandon their purchases when they don't find their preferred payment method.

But flip that problem around, and you've got opportunity. By expanding your payment options, you can boost conversion rates by 30%. That's especially crucial when you're targeting international shoppers who often have completely different payment preferences depending on where they live.

Your checkout experience isn't just functional—it's emotional. When shoppers see familiar and trusted payment methods, it triggers confidence.

Don't just take my word for it. PYMNTS Intelligence found that 44% of consumers consider payment trust a major factor in completing a purchase. Offering recognized payment solutions isn't just convenient—it signals that you're a legitimate, professional operation that takes security seriously.

1. Shopify Payments: The Foundation of Your Payment Strategy

As Shopify's built-in payment solution, this should be your starting point—the backbone of your broader payment strategy.

Shopify Payments eliminates third-party transaction fees and provides seamless checkout integration, making it the backbone of your payment ecosystem. By processing credit cards directly through Shopify, merchants gain unified reporting and reduced operational complexity.

Shopify Payments eliminates third-party payment headaches while delivering several key advantages:

No extra transaction fees beyond standard credit card rates
One clean dashboard for tracking both orders and payments
Lightning-fast checkout with Shop Pay
Built-in fraud protection tools that actually work

Transaction tees and pricing structure of Shopify Payments depend on your Shopify plan:

Basic Shopify: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction
Shopify: 2.6% + 30¢ per transaction
Advanced Shopify: 2.4% + 30¢ per transaction

Keep in mind that international transactions and currency conversions might cost you extra, so factor these into your pricing if you're welcoming international shoppers.

For certain businesses, alternative payment methods like PayPal or Stripe might offer specific advantages in certain markets or for particular business models. But here's the thing—it's rarely an either/or situation. The smartest approach typically combines Shopify Payments with complementary solutions rather than looking for a single replacement.

2. Credit and Debit Card Processing Options

Despite the rise of alternative methods, credit and debit cards remain the most widely used payment option globally

At bare minimum, make sure your store accepts major card networks:

Visa and Mastercard (non-negotiable worldwide)
American Express (especially important if you sell premium products)
Discover (big in North America)
Union Pay (absolutely essential for Chinese customers)

Regional card networks can dramatically boost conversions in specific markets as part of your market expansion strategy.

Security features for card transactions:

Today's security features do double duty—protecting you while building customer confidence:

EMV chip cards verification for in-person sales
3D Secure authentication for online purchases
PCI DSS compliance to protect sensitive data
Address Verification Service (AVS) to catch potential fraud

Pro tip: Prominently display security badges at checkout. It might seem small, but it can significantly boost conversion rates by reassuring those security-conscious shoppers.

3. Digital Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)

Digital wallet services aren't just growing—they're exploding in popularity. And for good reason: they're faster, more secure, and ridiculously convenient.

Apple Pay offers one-tap checkout magic for iPhone and iPad users, eliminating tedious card detail entry. With over 507 million users worldwide, this integration is gold for stores with younger, tech-savvy customers. No more form filling = fewer abandoned carts.

Google Pay delivers similar convenience for the Android crowd. Its cross-platform compatibility makes it a must-have addition to your payment options, especially if your analytics show significant Android traffic. Remember—Android dominates global market share, even if iPhone users tend to spend more per transaction.

Beyond the two giants, consider offering other mobile payment options:

Samsung Pay for Samsung device users
Amazon Pay for quick checkout with Amazon account holders
Regional mobile wallets based on your target markets

Each additional digital wallet option might seem like overkill, but they can incrementally improve conversion rates by catering to different user preferences. It's about removing every possible payment obstacle.

4. Buy Now, Pay Later Solutions

BNPL allows customers to split purchases into interest-free installments.

The buy now pay later (BNPL) revolution has completely transformed how people shop online, making pricier items suddenly accessible to budget-conscious customers.

Each major BNPL player brings something different to the table:

Klarna: Huge in Europe with super flexible payment structures
Afterpay: Dominates Australia, UK, and US markets
Affirm: Known for crystal-clear terms and zero late fees

Implementing BNPL can boost average order value by up to 40% and improve cart conversions by ~30% [FoxEcom]. Why? Because customers can:

Upgrade to premium versions they couldn't otherwise afford
Toss in those tempting complementary items
Pull the trigger earlier in their consideration process

5. Installment Payments

Unlike BNPL, installment plans let merchants set custom payment schedules (e.g., 3 monthly payments). This flexibility is critical for big-ticket items like furniture or electronics.

Split Payments and similar services offer interest-free payments by cleverly using customers' existing credit cards, spreading payments over time without requiring new credit applications.

For stores selling big-ticket items, the Split Payments app enables flexible installment payments and deposit options, making expensive purchases feel affordable without destroying your cash flow. It's particularly effective for furniture, jewelry, or electronics stores.

6. Deposit Payments

Deposit payments secure high-value orders (e.g., custom furniture or event services) by collecting partial upfront payments.

For made-to-order or pre-sale items, deposit payments let customers secure products with a partial upfront payment (e.g., 20%). Split Payments’ deposit badge feature adds a visual cue to product images, increasing transparency.

7. PayPal, Stripe, Square and Alternative Payment Processors

As one of the most recognized payment gateway providers globally, PayPal remains a must-have for most online stores.

PayPal delivers serious advantages:

Instant trust with over 400 million active users worldwide
Express checkout that slashes friction for existing PayPal users
Robust buyer and seller protection policies
Support for more than 100 currencies

Here's the reality: many shoppers specifically look for PayPal when shopping online. Not offering it is like turning away customers at your door.

Stripe and Square offer solid alternatives with different strengths:

Stripe shines with developer-friendly customization options
Square delivers excellent integrated solutions for businesses selling both online and in-person

Both services offer competitive rates and enhanced features for businesses with specific needs that go beyond Shopify's native capabilities.

8. International Payment Solutions

By offering international payment solutions, you can localize payments with region-specific methods.

If you're targeting global customers, you absolutely need specialized payment processing options:

Alipay and WeChat Pay for Chinese markets (non-negotiable for selling there)
iDEAL for Netherlands customers (used in over 60% of Dutch online transactions)
SOFORT for German shoppers
Boleto for Brazilian consumers

Supporting local payment preferences isn't just nice—it can dramatically boost conversion rates in specific regions, according to data from the Global eCommerce Association.

9. Cryptocurrency Payment Options

While still emerging, cryptocurrency payments appeal to specific customer segments and can help your store stand out from competitors.

Consider these factors before offering cryptocurrency payment options in your Shopify store:

Benefits:

Lower transaction fees (typically 1% vs 2-3% for cards)
No chargebacks—ever
Appeal to tech-forward customers
Enhanced privacy for shoppers

Challenges:

Potential complexity for non-technical customers
Market volatility concerns
Regulatory uncertainty in some regions

10. Gift Cards and Store Credit

Gift cards and store credit aren't just payment options—they're powerful tools that create additional revenue streams while encouraging repeat business.

Gift cards drive holiday revenue for top retailers and reduce customer acquisition costs by encouraging repeat purchases.

Smart gift card strategies include:

Seasonal promotions with holiday-themed designs
Tiered incentives (spend $100, get $10 extra)
Corporate gift programs for B2B opportunities

Store credit for returns and customer loyalty

Store credit is a versatile business tool that:

Offers an alternative to cash refunds, keeping money in your business
Rewards loyalty program participants, encouraging repeat purchases
Provides a quick resolution tool for customer service hiccups

Even better? Shopper Behavior Analytics shows that customers spending store credit typically exceed the credit value by 20-40%. They come for the "free money" but end up spending more of their own.

11. Cash on Delivery

Cash‑on‑Delivery (COD) methods build trust because buyers only pay after they see their order. This simple, familiar payment method appeals to customers who may not trust digital options—or who just prefer using cash.

A fashion-industry study with 228 respondents reveals that good product quality increases purchase likelihood when COD is available. Higher quality makes COD more appealing.

Which payment method is best for Shopify?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer here, but Shopify Payments typically provides the smoothest experience for most merchants. That said, the smartest approach combines Shopify's native solution with alternative options that match your specific customer preferences and market expansion goals. Think of it as your payment foundation, not your entire payment house.

Getting more payment methods on Shopify is easier than you might think: