The Shopify checkout: Why extensibility is the way to go

The problem of the previous checkout

To explain this, Sam used the example of Shopify’s checkout system. Previously, Shopify offered checkout.liquid, where users could fork the checkout code at a specific point in time and customise it. However, this approach had a drawback. Since Shopify is a SaaS platform that continually evolves, the checkout system regularly receives updates and innovations. Customising the checkout by forking the code meant users were stuck with an outdated version, missing out on these improvements.

The solution: Extensibility

This issue was particularly problematic for Shopify Plus users, who, despite paying for premium features, found themselves using an old version of the checkout due to their customisations. Recognising this limitation, Shopify shifted to an extensibility model. Instead of forking and customising static code, users can now extend the continuously evolving checkout system. This allows businesses to create bespoke features while still benefiting from Shopify’s ongoing updates.

This extensibility approach is not limited to the checkout system as Shopify applies it across its ecosystem. By providing access to the platform via APIs, Shopify enables businesses to build custom features that evolve alongside the platform, avoiding the pitfalls of being locked into a specific version.

A comparison to other software platforms, such as Magento or Odoo, shows that customisations often result in being stuck on an outdated version, requiring costly and time-consuming migrations when upgrades are needed. Shopify’s focus on extensibility is designed to prevent this, allowing businesses to stay current without sacrificing their custom features.

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