Shopify, the leading eCommerce platform for merchants across the globe, has announced several exciting changes and updates to its platform in February 2023. These updates are designed to enhance the user experience and offer merchants more control and flexibility over their eCommerce stores.
Here's an overview of the changes Shopify has rolled out:
1. Addition of Custom QR Codes to POS Receipts
Shopify has added the ability to customise printed receipts with a custom QR code in the receipt footer.
Why does it matter?
Customising POS receipts with a QR code can help drive traffic to your website, increase customer engagement and loyalty and provide a quick and easy way for customers to access relevant information about products or promotions.
2. Enhanced Geographic Redirects with Deep Links
Shopify now allows you to send customers directly to the right experience for their country or region using deep links. A deep link is essentially a URL parameter that uses two-digit country codes to redirect users to a relevant experience.
Why does it matter?
This feature is particularly useful for eCommerce brands that sell globally and want to ensure that customers in different regions have access to a localised shopping experience. By using deep links, brands can provide a seamless customer experience and improve their chances of converting visitors into customers.
3. Role Provisioning Through SCIM
Shopify Plus merchants can now assign and update roles for users in Shopify from one of the supported Identity Provider (IdP) systems using the updated Shopify SCIM integrations.
Why does it matter?
Role provisioning through SCIM is a valuable feature for eCommerce brands that want to streamline their user management processes. It enables Plus merchants to assign and update roles for users in Shopify from one of the supported Identity Provider systems, improving security and reducing administrative load.
4. Shopify Scripts Deprecation
Shopify has announced that support for Shopify Scripts will end on August 13, 2024 and will instead be replaced by Shopify Functions. Merchants that leverage Shopify Scripts apps will need to migrate to apps run by Shopify Functions before this deadline.
Why does it matter?
This change is significant for eCommerce brands that rely on Shopify Scripts to customise their checkout process. Functions enable several advanced customisations without having to fiddle with code, which is safe for merchants without much technical expertise.
5. The Checkout.liquid Theme File is Being Deprecated
Checkout.liquid customizations will no longer work for the Information, Shipping and Payment pages starting August 13, 2024.
Why does it matter?
eCommerce brands that use the checkout.liquid theme file to customise their checkout process need to be aware of this change. They will need to upgrade to checkout extensibility before August 13, 2024, in order to continue customising their checkout process and providing a seamless customer experience.
6. Early Access to Shop Promise
Shopify has launched Shop Promise, a feature that enables businesses to communicate reliable and fast delivery to customers across their online store and the Shop app by displaying an expected delivery date.
Why does it matter?
Shop Promise is a valuable feature for eCommerce brands that want to improve their conversion rates. Having a guarantee of delivery dates can instil confidence in shoppers and make them more likely to convert, especially if the purchase is time-sensitive. This is a very important addition to your product page if your goal is to boost conversions.
7. Search Settings are Now Available in The Shopify Search & Discovery App
The new Settings feature in the Shopify Search & Discovery App allows businesses to customise search and predictive search results, improving the search experience for customers.
Why does it matter?
The availability of Search Settings in the Shopify Search & Discovery app allows you to improve the search experience for your customers, which can have a significant impact on customer satisfaction and ultimately, sales. By customising search and predictive search results, you can ensure your customers are able to find the products they are looking for with ease, which can result in higher conversion rates and increased revenue for you.
8. Increase Conversion for Free by Enabling Sign-In with Shop
Shopify now allows businesses to enable sign-in with Shop credentials, allowing customers to speed through checkout with billing and shipping information automatically filled in.
Why does it matter?
Enabling Shop credentials for sign-in can simplify the checkout process, potentially boosting sales and improving the customer experience. This way, there is no need to waste time filling in all their details so checkout is much faster.
9. Shopify Editions Winter ’23 is Live
The latest version of Shopify Editions is now available, with 100+ new product updates to help you scale your online business.
Why does it matter?
The latest update offers new tools and features to help you stay competitive and build for the future, which is crucial in the ever-changing eCommerce landscape.
10. Control Product Publishing per Market
You can now take control over which products you sell globally with the ability to publish or unpublish products per market.
Why does it matter?
This feature enables you to customise your product offerings for different markets, ensuring you offer the right products to the right customers, creating a more personalised shopping experience.
11. Granular Staff Permissions for Products
Shopify has added 10 new staff permissions, giving you more granular control over what product data and information staff members can access.
Why does it matter?
Restricting access to sensitive product information can enhance security and privacy, preventing unauthorised access or data breaches.
12. Marketing Reports on Channel Performance and Attribution
Shopify has added new marketing reports on channel performance and attribution, providing you with more insights into your session and conversion data.
Why does it matter?
These reports can help you make data-driven decisions and optimise your marketing strategies to increase sales and revenue by allocating resources to the channels that bring you the best ROI.
13. Inventory Dataset Added to Shopify Notebooks
ShopifyQL Notebooks now offers a new inventory dataset, allowing you to track stock levels by variant across locations for a better overview your inventory.
Why does it matter?
With more visibility into your inventory levels, you can make informed decisions about stock levels and replenishment, reducing the risk of overselling and stockouts.
14. Automated Collections with Metafield Conditions
You can now use metafield conditions to create automated collections, making it easier to manage large product catalogues.
Why does it matter?
Managing a large product catalogue can be challenging and time-consuming but this feature makes it simpler to manage and organise your products, saving you time and streamlining workflows.
15. Bulk Editing Support for Collection and Customer Metafields with Definitions
You can now edit your Collection and Customer metafields with definitions in bulk, which is going to save you a lot of time and help your streamline your business.
Why does it matter?
Editing your collection and customer metafields in bulk can save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on other essential aspects of your eCommerce business.
Scared to DIY? We’re Here To Help
Shopify's latest updates offer exciting new features and tools to help eCommerce businesses stay competitive and thrive in today's digital landscape. By leveraging these updates, you can improve your inventory management, streamline workflows, create a personalised experience for customers and optimise your marketing strategies for better ROI.
At Vevol Media, we specialise in Shopify development and all things eCommerce , so if you find yourself overwhelmed by implementing these updates yourself, we're here to help you take advantage of these new features. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you take your online business to the next level by creating a seamless and enjoyable online experience for your customers.