Expert Answer • 2 min read

What payment options should I be offering? (e.g., PayPal, Apple Pay, Afterpay)

As an e-commerce business owner, I'm struggling to understand the optimal payment options for my online store. With so many payment methods available, I want to ensure I'm providing convenient choices that will increase conversions and customer satisfaction. I need to balance offering multiple payment options without overwhelming customers, and understand which payment methods are most trusted and preferred by different customer segments. What payment options should I prioritize to maximize sales and provide a seamless checkout experience?
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO

2 min

TL;DR - Quick Answer

For most Shopify stores, prioritize PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and one BNPL option (Afterpay or Klarna). These cover 85%+ of buyer preferences. Shop Pay is also valuable as it pre-fills checkout for returning Shopify customers.

Complete Expert Analysis

What Payment Options Should Your Shopify Store Offer?

Payment friction is one of the top causes of checkout abandonment. Offering the right mix of payment methods - matched to your customer base - can measurably improve conversion without any other changes.

Core Payment Methods by Priority

Method Why Essential Best For
Shopify Payments / Credit Cards Universal baseline All stores
Shop Pay Pre-fills for 100M+ Shopify shoppers, 1-tap checkout All stores - massive conversion lift
PayPal 430M+ users, high trust signal All stores, especially US/EU
Apple Pay / Google Pay 1-tap mobile checkout eliminates friction Mobile-heavy stores (50%+ mobile traffic)
Afterpay / Klarna / Affirm BNPL increases AOV and accessibility AOV $50+ stores, fashion, beauty, home
Amazon Pay Trust from Amazon's brand, fast checkout US stores with older demographics

BNPL Impact on AOV

Buy Now Pay Later options (Afterpay, Klarna, Affirm) can increase average order value by 20-30% because customers think in terms of installment size, not total price. A $120 order at $30/month feels more accessible. For cosmetics stores, BNPL is particularly effective on premium skincare routines and bundles.

Mobile Payment Priority

With 65%+ of Shopify traffic coming from mobile in 2026, Apple Pay and Google Pay are no longer optional. These methods eliminate form-filling entirely - customers authenticate with Face ID or fingerprint and the order is placed. Stores enabling express payment buttons see 10-15% mobile conversion improvements.

Where to Display Payment Icons

  • Product page below the Add to Cart button
  • Cart page before checkout button
  • Footer (builds trust, reduces bounce)
  • Checkout page (reassurance at final step)

Payment Method Selection by Store Type

Budget cosmetics stores: prioritize BNPL and PayPal. Luxury beauty brands: lead with Shop Pay and credit cards - Klarna's "pay later" positioning may cheapen brand perception. International stores: research local preferences - iDEAL in Netherlands, SEPA in EU, etc.

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Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO of Growth Suite

With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, Muhammed founded Growth Suite to help Shopify merchants maximize their conversion rates through intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers. His expertise in growth strategies and conversion optimization has helped thousands of online stores increase their revenue.

E-commerce Expert Shopify Partner Growth Strategist

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