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Shopify Checkout FAQ

Shopify Checkout integration

Shopify recently announced their plans to release Subscription APIs that will power subscription transactions. In this article, we discuss the new integration and common questions about what it means for Recharge going forward.

Platform:
  • Shopify Checkout Integration
This FAQ is specific to the Shopify Checkout Integration. If you use the Recharge Checkout on Shopify or BigCommerce to process subscription orders, please refer to the Recharge Checkout FAQ.
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What is the new Shopify Checkout integration?

Shopify is working on new Subscription APIs that allows apps like Recharge to connect to Shopify to create and process subscriptions directly through the Shopify checkout.

Traditionally there have been two separate checkouts, Recharge and Shopify. Customers would go through different checkouts depending on the contents of their cart.

Now, merchants will be able to use Recharge for customer and subscription management while order processing will take place through Shopify and their native checkout. One unified checkout for subscription and one-time products.

Do I need to make any changes to my existing store?

No. As an existing merchant, your current Recharge configuration is still supported and no action is required by you.

Recharge remains committed to building out functionality to the existing Recharge checkout and to ensure continuity and a robust feature set. We intend to keep investing, adding, and improving functionality to our existing app. For more information about feature timeline and compatibility, visit Shopify Checkout Integration feature status

Who is eligible to sign-up for the new integration?

Any new Shopify stores interested in installing Recharge on or after November 2nd 2020 can install the integration through the Recharge App listing. 

Note that there are some eligibility requirements and notable limitations.

  • Approved payment gateway - Merchants will need to be using Shopify Payments or PayPal Express. Note that Shopify Payments does not support some business types, such as CBD or pseudo-pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit Shopify's Legal page.
  • Accelerated payment options and wallets - Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and other forms of accelerated payments or wallets will be unavailable for subscription purchases.
  • In-person delivery zones - Pick up in store and local delivery are not available.
  • Multi-currency - Shopify's multi-currency feature will not be available at launch.

Are there notable changes to subscription and order functionality with the new Shopify Checkout integration?

With the Shopify Checkout, merchants have the benefit of a unified checkout experience for their customers. However, there are some notable changes that merchants should be aware of with how Shopify will handle subscriptions and subscription orders from Recharge:

  • Overrides - SKU or product titles cannot be customized in Recharge to be a different value than what is listed in Shopify.
  • Cart and note attributes - Cart and note attributes will be displayed on orders originating from checkout, but will not appear on recurring orders.
  • Line item properties - Line item properties will be displayed on orders originating from checkout, but will not appear on recurring orders.
Tip: For a detailed list of feature compatibility, visit Shopify feature compatibility with Shopify Checkout

Does the Shopify Checkout support digital products?

Yes, you can sell digital products through the Shopify Checkout. During checkout, if there is a non-physical subscription product, the shipping address fields do not display.

What is the pricing plan for the Shopify Checkout integration?

You can view a breakdown of Recharge's pricing plan on our dedicated pricing page. 

How am I billed for use of the Recharge app?

To begin using Recharge, you will need to accept the Approve subscription prompt at the time of installation. Storeowners will be redirected to the billing approval page when accessing Recharge until they approve the terms of service.

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Note: You will only be charged at the completion of your free trial, and not immediately after approving the billing terms. 

The fee is considered an app usage fee and is billed directly through Shopify. As the Recharge billing cycle may differ from the Shopify billing cycle, you may see the app usage fee applied across different invoices.

If your app usage fee exceeds $10 000 in a given billing cycle, Shopify will issue you a bill when the capped amount is reached. You will need to agree to a new usage charge to continue using the app during the current billing cycle. 

For more information, visit App charges. 

How can my customers update their billing information?

Customers can update their billing information via their customer portal, by clicking the Send email to update button within the billing section. Shopify sends the customer an email to update their credit card and billing information and the customer's next processed charge will use the new billing information. 

Note: Recharge does not currently have a billing sync feature with Shopify. Therefore, the updated billing information will not be shown in Recharge.

send-email-update-customer-portal.png

Merchants can also trigger the email from their Recharge admin:

  1. Click Customers and search and select the customer.
  2. Select Billing information and click Send update email. Shopify sends the customer an email to update their credit card and billing information and the customer's next processed charge will use the new billing information. 

send-update-email.png

Note: We do not recommend updating the customer's billing information within their Shopify profile, as you will not be able to determine which payment method is associated to a specific subscription.

How can I sign up for the new Shopify Checkout integration?

If you are interested in using the Shopify Checkout Integration, you can install the app directly from the Shopify app store. 

I am an existing Recharge merchant - can I migrate to the new checkout?

We have been working on the ability to migrate stores with existing subscribers using the Recharge Checkout on Shopify to the Shopify Checkout Integration, and some cases are now possible. See Migrating to the Shopify Checkout Integration (with existing subscribers) to learn more about how these migrated stores function. 

Please fill out the migration request form. Our team will review your request and let you know if you are a good fit for migration, or if remaining on the Recharge Checkout on Shopify is the best platform for you based on your business needs.

For an overview of available features, see Shopify Checkout integration feature status. You can still complete the request form even if your store has requirements that are not currently supported. We will be in touch as the integration matures and additional cases are supported.

I am seeing a "Sorry, Shopify says your store is ineligible for subscriptions" screen when trying to install. What should I do?

Shopify has their own set of eligibility requirements that need to be met before you can sign-up with Recharge. To review the list of requirements, visit Eligibility Requirements. In most cases, you can meet Shopify's eligibility requirements by updating your Shopify settings or, if you have not set your payment processor, signing up for Shopify Payments. For more help, reach out to Shopify Support. 

Note that, at this time, the Recharge integration with the Shopify Checkout does not support self-service setup. Upon install request, you will be added to our waitlist, and onboarding timelines will be communicated as they become available.

I'm trying to install the new integration into my store, but I keep getting a message that I'm almost there. What are my next steps?

Please contact our support team if you are unable to finish installing the new integration into your store. 

Is it possible to migrate existing subscribers from another platform to the new Shopify Checkout integration?

Migrating existing subscribers from another platform (such as Bold or Paywhirl) to the Shopify Checkout Integration is possible. Please fill out the Migration request form and one of our Migration Specialists will be in touch.

See Understanding migrations to the Shopify Checkout Integration (with existing subscribers) to learn more about how these migrated stores function. 

I'm trying to update the name of a subscription product, but the new name will not apply to my existing customers. How can I change the name of my subscription products for existing customers?

Due to limitations with Shopify's Subscription APIs, it is not currently possible to update the name of subscription products for existing customers. 

If you update the product name in Shopify, the change will apply to all new orders, however, it will not be reflected on the recurring order. This is a feature improvement that Shopify is monitoring. 

I am a Shopify Plus merchant and recently upgraded my checkout.liquid file - does this mean I can start selling subscriptions? 

Previously, Plus merchants who were using a custom checkout were ineligible by Shopify to sell subscriptions.

Shopify recently provided an option to upgrade customized checkout files for Plus merchants. Once upgraded, your checkout will now be able to support the selling of subscriptions. However, you will still need to install Recharge to start selling subscriptions on your storefront and meet the other Shopify eligibility requirements. 

For existing Recharge merchants who are on Shopify Plus, upgrading your Shopify checkout files does not convert your Recharge Checkout version to the Shopify Checkout integration. At this time, migration pathways are not available but Recharge will communicate with existing merchants once migration tools are released. For more information, visit Shopify Checkout Integration feature status.

How can I remove the subscription widget from non-subscription products?

Occasionally, Recharge pulls the metadata of duplicate products, which can cause one-time products to show a subscription widget.

To remove the widget from products that are only sold as one-time purchases, add the product to a Subscription Rule in Recharge, save it, and delete the rule.

Are there any other payment gateways that work with the Shopify Checkout Integration?

At this time you can Authorize.net or PayPal Express as a payment option for subscription products.

How do I switch my customer from Shopify Payments to PayPal Express?

Shopify does not allow customers to swap payment methods after a subscription has been created. Contact Shopify Support for more information.

Can I use PayPal Express as my payment gateway for subscriptions, but use it with a different provider for my primary gateway?

Absolutely. Shopify allows you to use PayPal Express alongside your existing primary gateway. Contact Shopify Support for more information.

Do my customers have to use a credit card with their PayPal account?

No, customers can use whatever payment method they have configured within their PayPal account to purchase a subscription product.

How do customers update their PayPal payment method?

Customers can change their primary payment method directly in PayPal. 

Customers can select the Send Update Email button under their Billing information in the portal to begin the process of updating their payment method within PayPal.

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