Table of Contents
Introduction
Imagine entering an online store where your information magically autofills, your preferred payment method is already selected, and your past orders are a click away for a quick reorder. This isn't a glimpse of the future—it's the reality for customers with Shopify accounts today. Shopify's innovative approach to customer accounts, including the recent launch of a passwordless login system, revolutionizes how customers interact with online stores. This blog post dives deep into the realm of Shopify customer accounts, guiding you through setting them up, managing them, and optimizing the process for your customers. Whether you're a new Shopify user or looking to switch to the latest customer account experiences, this article has you covered, providing insights that go beyond the basic setup to enhance both your brand and customer experience.
Setting Up Customer Accounts on Shopify
Setting up customer accounts on your Shopify store offers your clients a personalized shopping experience. Customer accounts not only simplify the checkout process through autofill options but also give your clients access to a dashboard where they can view their order history, track orders, and manage their personal information. Shopify offers two types of customer accounts: classic and new. While both serve the primary purpose of enhancing customer experience, they cater to different needs and preferences.
Classic vs. New Customer Accounts
Classic Customer Accounts require a customer to log in using an email and password. This version is ideal for those who prefer the traditional method of account security. Classic accounts support Multipass but don't facilitate a direct B2B customer experience.
On the other hand, New Customer Accounts introduce a simplified, passwordless login option. Customers receive a one-time six-digit verification code via email whenever they wish to log in, thereby eliminating the need to remember passwords. This modern approach is designed with B2B customers in mind, although it does not support Multipass.
Activation Steps
To activate new customer accounts, you simply navigate to the 'Customer accounts' settings in your Shopify admin. If you opt for requiring customers to log in before checkout, you can set this preference under Settings > Checkout. This approach can be particularly useful for stores that sell exclusive products or require membership.
Customizing the Customer Experience
Shopify allows you to brand and customize the account login and management pages to align with your store's theme. This customization extends to the checkout experience, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic throughout the customer's journey. However, it's worth noting that the login page's button color remains the default blue, maintaining a level of consistency across Shopify stores.
Managing Customer Accounts
Once your customer accounts are up and running, Shopify provides various management options. You can invite customers to create accounts via email, offering them a personalized touch point with your store. For those using the new customer accounts, it's important to remember that individual accounts cannot be deactivated in the traditional sense; instead, deleting a customer profile removes their access until they decide to log in again.
Enhancing Customer Experience
Saved Payment Methods
For stores utilizing Shopify's enterprise solutions, the saved payment methods feature is a game-changer. It allows customers to securely save their credit card information, facilitating quicker checkouts and encouraging repeat purchases. This feature, compatible with Shop Pay, represents a balance between convenience and security.
The Power of Integration
Shopify's new customer accounts seamlessly integrate with the Shop app. This means customers can sign in or create accounts using Shop, streamlining the checkout process even further with pre-filled shopping information and the convenience of checkout in one tap with Shop Pay.
Customizing Account Pages
A common query among Shopify users is the ability to add custom pages within the customer account section—for example, a page to book appointments or request samples. While Shopify's structure does not directly support adding new custom pages to the account section, there's a workaround. Creating a normal page and using Liquid coding to restrict content to logged-in customers only can achieve similar functionality. This creative solution maintains a streamlined user experience while offering additional services or information within the customer's account.
FAQ Section
Q: Can I switch between classic and new customer accounts? A: Yes, Shopify allows you to switch between the two types of customer accounts, enabling you to choose the one that best fits your business needs and customer preferences.
Q: How do I send invites for customer accounts? A: From your Shopify admin, go to Customers, select the customer(s) you wish to invite, and click 'Send account invite.' You can tailor the invite email to reflect your brand voice.
Q: Is it possible to customize the branding of new customer account pages? A: Yes, you can customize the branding to a certain extent, such as editing your checkout style, which automatically applies to new customer account pages, except for the login page.
In summary, Shopify customer accounts, whether classic or new, offer a powerful tool to enhance the customer experience. By understanding and utilizing the full range of options Shopify provides, store owners can create a personalized and efficient shopping environment that promotes customer loyalty and repeat business. Whether it's through saved payment methods, seamless integration with Shop Pay, or custom account pages, optimizing your store's customer account setup can significantly impact your brand's success.
