One-click checkout - Increase sales by reducing friction

Getting a past customer to come back is expensive. Losing them at checkout is free.

And it happens constantly.

Think about what you spend to drive repeat purchases: email campaigns, SMS flows, loyalty programs, retargeting ads. All designed to bring returning customers for orders two, three, and ten.

But when those customers do return, what does the checkout experience actually feel like?

If it's the same multi-step form they filled out last time, you're adding checkout friction at the exact moment your investment should pay off. A returning customer who trusts your brand, wants the product, and has their wallet out. Slowed down by typing.

One-click checkout fixes this.

The first purchase saves customer details securely. Every purchase after that? One tap. No forms. No re-entry. No second thoughts. Frictionless checkout that matches the speed of the buying decision.

This guide covers what one-click checkout is, how it works on Shopify, and how to implement it so you can reduce cart abandonment and turn repeat traffic into conversions.

One-click checkout allows returning customers to buy with a single tap, using the payment and shipping details saved from their previous purchase.

Where standard checkout asks customers to re-enter addresses, select payment methods, and confirm multiple screens, one-click checkout skips all of it. The order is placed the moment they click.

You'll often hear similar terms like express checkout or accelerated checkout. They're related, but they're not the same thing.

Express checkout relies on external digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. Customers complete payment through a third-party system, which may still include confirmation or authentication steps outside your store.

Accelerated checkout is a broader, umbrella term for any checkout flow that's faster than the standard multi-step process. It typically includes:

• Express checkout options (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal)
• One-click checkout experiences
• Any checkout design that reduces steps and speeds up purchase completion

One-click checkout, however, keeps everything inside your Shopify store. Returning customers use their own saved payment and shipping details, not a third-party wallet. For repeat buyers, this is usually the fastest and most frictionless option.

By eliminating unnecessary steps and keeping the experience within your store, one-click checkout reduces hesitation at the exact moment customers are ready to buy, where many conversions are otherwise lost.

Nearly 7 out of 10 online shoppers abandon their carts, even after showing clear intent to buy. But the real cost isn't just lost sales. It's who you're losing.

Repeat buyers are different. You've already paid to acquire them, earned their trust, and guided them through checkout once. When they come back ready to buy, friction isn't an inconvenience. It's a leak in a funnel you've already invested in.

Asking returning customers to re-enter the same details and step through the same flow slows them down. One-click checkout fixes this. It removes repeated effort and turns intent into a completed purchase instantly.

Small interruptions kill conversions. Having to retype an address, re-enter card info, or tap through extra screens gives returning customers time to reconsider or simply get distracted.

One-click checkout eliminates these moments. The difference is measurable: Shop Pay checkouts convert at 1.72× the rate of standard flows.

Besides, when checkout feels fast and familiar, more people actually follow through with buying. One-click checkout improves transaction speed, keeps customers focused, and helps more shoppers reach purchase completion.

Shopify data suggests that one-click and accelerated checkout options can meaningfully boost conversions: customers using Shop Pay convert up to 50% more than standard guest checkouts, and simply enabling Shop Pay can lift conversions by around 5 % on its own.

Fewer steps mean less hesitation, and that can turn idle carts into completed orders.

One-click checkout transforms how returning customers experience your store.

Instead of re-typing their address or hunting for their wallet, they tap once, and the order is placed. Checkout goes from a 2-minute task to a few seconds. According to Shopify's report, Shop Pay makes it up to 4× faster than traditional flows. Customers remember which stores make buying easy.

Faster checkout reduces price sensitivity. When customers know checkout is easy, they are more likely to:

• Add extra items
• Accept upsells
• Complete impulse purchases

Some Shopify data also shows that accelerated checkout users tend to have higher average order values, up to around 15 % higher, because the lower effort at checkout makes customers more likely to complete larger purchases.

Mobile is where one-click checkout delivers the biggest advantage for returning customers.

Typing an address on a phone keyboard is frustrating. Re-entering card numbers on a small screen leads to errors. For customers who've already given you this information, having to do it again feels especially unnecessary.

Shopify data shows that accelerated checkout has roughly 1.91× higher mobile conversion rates than standard checkout flows, meaning the difference shows up especially on smartphones.

For mobile-heavy Shopify stores, this can be a major competitive advantage.

Even if your product is similar to another store's, the buying experience feels smoother, and that can be the deciding factor.

Here's how that advantage shows up in real life:

• A customer adds the same product to two different carts
• One store asks them to fill out forms and go through multiple steps
• Your store lets them confirm the purchase instantly

One-click checkout also builds confidence. Familiar fast-checkout options signal that your store is modern, trustworthy, and professional. Customers recognize these experiences and feel safer completing the purchase, especially when they're buying from a brand they haven't shopped with many times before.

Over time, frictionless checkout creates a gap between you and competitors who still rely on slower, form-heavy checkout flows.

From the shopper's perspective, one-click checkout is simple: tap once, order confirmed.

Behind the scenes, it works by recognizing customers and applying their saved payment and shipping details automatically. But the experience differs slightly depending on whether someone is a first-time visitor or a returning customer.

One-click checkout isn't limited to customers who've bought from you before.

If a first-time visitor already has a Shop Pay account, they can use one-click checkout immediately. Their saved details carry over, and no setup is needed on your end.

The same applies to customers using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. If they're logged into these services, their payment and shipping information is already stored. They can complete the purchase instantly without entering anything manually.

For first-time visitors without these accounts: They complete a normal checkout flow, but their details are saved during this first purchase. The next time they buy, they get the full one-click experience.

This is where one-click checkout delivers its full value.

When a customer who has purchased from you before comes back, the checkout system recognizes them through their email, login, device, or a service like Shop Pay.

Their saved shipping address and payment method are already in place. Instead of filling out forms, they simply confirm the purchase with a single tap. One click = Order confirmed.

There's no need to re-enter addresses, no card numbers to type, no extra pages to move through, and all while maintaining strong checkout security.

One-click checkout doesn't only happen at the final checkout page. On Shopify, you can enable accelerated checkout buttons that appear earlier in the shopping flow:

• On product pages: Customers can skip the cart entirely and go straight to checkout. For returning customers or those with Shop Pay/Apple Pay accounts, this means buying in seconds, directly from the product page.
• In the cart: Fast checkout options appear alongside the standard checkout button, giving customers a clear path to complete the purchase instantly.
• At checkout: If a customer's saved details are detected, their information is pre-filled automatically. One confirmation and the order is placed.

These buttons display dynamically based on what's fastest for each customer. If the system detects a saved account, customers see options like "Buy with Shop Pay" or "Pay with Apple Pay" for instant checkout.

A common question: "Is it safe to store customer payment information?"

One-click checkout doesn't store raw credit card numbers. Instead, payment details are replaced with encrypted tokens—secure references that only work within the payment system.

This means:

• Customers get the convenience of saved details
• Merchants never handle sensitive card data directly
• Even if tokens were intercepted, they'd be useless outside the secure system

Here are the most common options Shopify merchants use today.

Shop Pay is Shopify's built-in one-click checkout—and the easiest option to set up.

How it works: When a customer uses Shop Pay for the first time, their payment and shipping details are saved securely. On future purchases—at your store or any other Shopify store—they can check out with a single tap.

Why it's powerful:

• Works across the entire Shopify network (millions of stores)
• Customers don't need to re-enter details even if they've never bought from you before
• Highest-converting checkout option according to Shopify data
• Includes "Sign in with Shop" for personalized, one-tap checkout when customer accounts are enabled

Best for: Most Shopify stores, especially those focused on repeat purchases and mobile shoppers.

For merchants, Shop Pay works out of the box—no apps required, just enable it in your payment settings.

You've probably seen these buttons at checkout: Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal, and they're popular for a reason.

How they work: Customers authenticate through their wallet (Face ID, fingerprint, or login), and the payment is processed using their stored information. No typing required.

Key difference from Shop Pay: These wallets are third-party services. The customer's details are stored with Apple, Google, PayPal, etc.—not within Shopify's ecosystem. There may be a brief confirmation step before the purchase completes.

Best for: Mobile customers and first-time visitors who already use these services.

Pro tips: Enable Shop Pay plus 2-3 digital wallet options to cover the widest range of customers. Shop Pay handles returning Shopify customers; wallet buttons capture first-time visitors who already use those services.

For most Shopify stores, Shop Pay is the foundation of one-click checkout. From your Shopify admin:

1. Go to Settings > Payments
2. In the Shopify Payments section, click Manage
3. Check the box next to Shop Pay
4. Click Save
5. Complete your business details and banking information to receive payouts (must be done within 21 days)

While in Settings > Payments, you can also activate:

• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay

These are typically enabled automatically when you have Shopify Payments active, but you can manage them in the same payment settings area.

1. Go to your theme editor (Online Store > Themes > Customize)
2. Navigate to a product page
3. Look for the product section settings
4. Find the option to show "Dynamic checkout buttons" or "Accelerated checkout buttons"
5. Toggle it on
6. Save your changes

The buttons will appear on your product pages alongside the "Add to cart" button. Customers will see branded buttons (Shop Pay, Apple Pay, etc.) based on their device, browser, and saved payment methods.

One-click checkout works best when it feels natural, effortless, and trustworthy. A few small decisions can make a big difference in whether customers actually use it or hesitate at the last second.

Here's what to focus on, and what to avoid.

Don't limit customers to one fast checkout method. Activate Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal to cover different customer preferences.

The buttons display dynamically—Shopify shows each customer their fastest available option automatically. More options enabled means more customers can use one-click checkout.

Most one-click purchases happen on phones. Make sure:

• Buttons are large enough to tap easily
• Pages load quickly
• Customers don't need to scroll or zoom to find checkout options
• The experience feels effortless on smaller screens

If mobile checkout is frustrating, customers won't come back to use one-click again.

Don't assume customers understand what "Shop Pay" or accelerated checkout means.

Use simple cues near buttons:

• "Fast checkout"
• "Buy in one click"
• "Express checkout"

Help customers recognize that this option is faster than filling out forms.

Before customers click once to buy, they want reassurance. Display familiar payment logos, security messages, and clear policies near checkout buttons to build confidence without adding clutter.

Monitor which payment methods convert best using Shopify's payments finance report (filter by payment method).

Test regularly:

• Button placement
• Button copy and colors (unbranded "Buy it now" buttons can be customized)
• Which product pages benefit most from accelerated checkout

Ensure you're using current theme versions that fully support accelerated checkout buttons. Outdated themes may not display buttons correctly or offer optimal performance.

One-click checkout isn't ideal for every situation. Understanding when to use it and when not to will help you implement it effectively.

Works best for:

• Single-variant products: Bundles, mystery boxes, simple products where customers buy one complete item
• Impulse purchases: Featured products, limited-time offers, homepage highlights
• Returning customers: Shoppers who've already saved their details and want to reorder quickly
• Mobile shoppers: Customers who want to avoid typing on small screens

Consider alternatives when:

• Customers typically buy multiple different items together: If shoppers usually mix and match (e.g., combining accessories, building outfits), they may prefer the traditional cart experience to review everything before checkout
• You require cart attributes: If your checkout needs custom form fields like gift-wrapping options, delivery date pickers, or terms agreement checkboxes, accelerated buttons may skip these steps
• Products need customization: Items requiring personalization or special instructions may not fit the one-click flow

Even when checkout is secure, unclear messaging creates doubt.

Customers making a one-click purchase are trusting that their saved payment info is protected. If they don't see familiar security signals (payment logos, "Secure checkout" badges, clear policies), they may hesitate—especially when the purchase happens so fast.

Some merchants hide or disable accelerated checkout buttons, thinking it simplifies checkout. This usually backfires.

Unless you have a specific business reason (required cart attributes, complex product customization), keep these buttons visible. They're proven to increase conversion rates.

Some merchants worry that accelerated checkout bypasses discount codes. It doesn't.

Customers can still enter discount codes at checkout even when using accelerated buttons. Make sure your promotional strategy works seamlessly with one-click checkout.

One-click checkout isn't just a convenience feature. It's a direct response to how people shop today.

Customers expect buying online to be fast, simple, and mobile-friendly. When checkout feels effortless, they're more likely to finish their purchase, come back again, and trust your store.

Here are the key takeaways when you implement one-click checkout for your stores:

• One-click checkout helps to reduce checkout friction - the most critical moment, and as a result, reduces cart abandonment
• It improves conversion rates, especially for returning and mobile customers
• Shopify makes it easy to get started with built-in options like Shop Pay
• Small optimizations such as clear messaging, mobile-first design, and trust signals can significantly impact results

If your goal is to turn more "almost buyers" into paying customers, one-click checkout is a smart place to start.

1. Is one-click checkout safe to use?

Yes. One-click checkout is designed with security as a core priority. Payment information isn't stored as raw card data; it's protected using tokenization, which replaces sensitive details with encrypted payment tokens.

On Shopify, one-click checkout runs through a PCI-compliant infrastructure, meaning merchants don't directly handle card information. Combined with familiar payment methods and built-in checkout security, one-click checkout is both fast and safe.

2. What is the difference between one-click checkout and express checkout?

The main difference lies in where and how the checkout experience happens.

One-click checkout allows returning customers to complete a purchase instantly using saved payment and shipping details, often without leaving the store's checkout flow.

Express checkout, on the other hand, usually relies on third-party wallets like Apple Pay or PayPal and may still require confirmation steps.

3. Does one-click checkout work for guest customers?

One-click checkout is primarily designed for returning customers. First-time or guest customers typically complete a standard checkout on their initial purchase. Once their payment and shipping details are securely saved, future purchases can be completed with one click. This approach balances convenience with security while reducing checkout friction over time.

4. Is one-click checkout available on Shopify Basic plans?

Yes. Shopify merchants on Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans can enable one-click checkout through built-in options like Shop Pay. More advanced checkout customization and optimization features are available on Shopify Plus, but the core one-click checkout functionality is accessible to most Shopify stores.

5. Can I combine one-click checkout with upselling?

Yes, when done carefully. One-click checkout works best with lightweight, non-intrusive upsells that don't interrupt the checkout flow.

On Shopify Plus, checkout customization tools allow merchants to add subtle upsell or cross-sell elements while keeping the experience fast and frictionless. The key is enhancing convenience, not slowing it down.