1/16/2025

How to Add Custom Delivery Instructions to Your Shopify Checkout

In the realm of e-commerce, customer satisfaction is KING. As the digital marketplace continues to grow, providing an exceptional user experience during the checkout process becomes increasingly important. One effective way to enhance this experience is by allowing customers to add custom delivery instructions during checkout. In this guide, we'll explore how to seamlessly integrate this essential feature into your Shopify store checkout, making it as simple as pie!

Why Custom Delivery Instructions Matter

First off, let’s emphasize the importance of delivery instructions. Customers often have specific needs when it comes to their orders, whether it's leaving packages at a safe location, special requests for delivery time, or contact preferences. Here’s why facilitating this feature can set your store apart:

Increased Customer Satisfaction: When customers can specify their delivery preferences, it gives them a sense of control over their purchase. This leads to HIGHER satisfaction rates and potentially more RETURN customers.
Reduced Delivery Issues: Providing instructions can help resolve delivery challenges upfront, minimizing the need for Customer Service interventions and saving time for everyone involved.
Competitive Edge: In an ever-crowded market, offering features like custom delivery instructions can give you a leg up on competitors who don’t provide similar options.

Setting Up Custom Delivery Instructions in Shopify

Step 1: Check Your Shopify Plan

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, be aware that the ability to customize the checkout process varies by Shopify plan. To add custom delivery instructions, you'll need either a Shopify Plus account or a workaround if you're using a basic plan. If none of those are in your current toolkit, you'll need to consider APP integrations to facilitate this feature.

Step 2: Access Your Shopify Admin

Head over to your Shopify Admin. From there, you'll need to navigate to the following path:

Click on Settings.
Choose Checkout from the list available.

Step 3: Manage Checkout Language

Here’s where the magic begins!

In the Checkout settings, look for the section titled Checkout language or Manage Checkout Language. This option allows you to modify various text displayed throughout the checkout process.
You'll want to search for the phrase “Shipping Method.” You can usually do this by using the command or control
- F shortcut to pull up a search bar whenever you’re on that page.
Once you find the appropriate section, add the text “Please add any delivery instructions below” or something similar. This message will inform your customers that they can provide additional information regarding their delivery preferences.
Save your changes.

Step 4: Use Themes or Custom Code

If you're looking for a more permanent solution, you might consider using your theme’s code or contacting a developer. Here’s the general idea:

Navigate to Online Store > Themes in your Shopify admin.
Click Actions > Edit Code for your active theme.
Locate the Theme Settings or possibly the cart.liquid file. In some scenarios, you might want to include a custom field in the product-template.liquid.
Here’s an example code snippet that you can modify:
1 2 3 4 5html <div class="field"> <label for="delivery-instructions">Delivery Instructions:</label> <textarea id="delivery-instructions" name="attributes[Delivery Instructions]" rows="5" placeholder="Enter any special delivery notes here..."></textarea> </div>
This allows customers to fill out an optional text box during the cart phase before proceeding to checkout.

Remember to consult the Shopify Community or reach out to Shopify support for exact coding practices that suit your theme as not all themes utilize the same code structure.

Step 5: Consider Additional Apps

Not feeling too confident about dabbling in code? No worries! There are plenty of applications available in the Shopify App Store specifically designed to enhance the delivery process. Look into apps like Order Delivery Date, which allows users to set delivery instructions, customize pick-up times, and more, right in the checkout process.

Step 6: Test Your Checkout

After implementing your changes, it's time to TEST! Go through your checkout process as if you were a customer. Make sure:

Your delivery instructions are visible and functioning.
Customers can submit their requests without a hassle.
The instructions, if needed, are being captured adequately (check your order details afterward).

Step 7: Gather Feedback

Once your customers start using the new functionality, gather their feedback! You can even run a quick survey post-purchase or simply reach out to frequent customers to see how they're finding the new feature. Adjust based on feedback where necessary.

Integrate Arsturn for a Personalized Touch

While you're at it, consider enhancing your customer engagement further with the power of Arsturn. At Arsturn.com, you can instantly create custom chatbots that seamlessly integrate with your Shopify store, providing real-time responses to customer inquiries before, during, and after the purchase process. Imagine an AI that answers questions about delivery options, provides updates, and even suggests products all in ONE chat interface! You can join thousands who're already utilizing Arsturn to cultivate meaningful connections with their customers. The AI chatbot creation process is super simple—no coding skills needed!

Benefits of Arsturn Integration:

Instant Responses: 24/7 availability means customers get answers whenever they need them.
Enhanced Engagement: AI-driven interactions can boost overall customer satisfaction, leading to higher sales conversions.
Customization: Tailor the chatbot to your brand voice, making it a seamless part of your customer interaction.

Conclusion

Adding custom delivery instructions to your Shopify checkout process is a sure way to enhance customer satisfaction while minimizing delivery issues. Whether you choose to hard code the feature directly into your theme or utilize one of the many Shopify apps available, you’re making strides in creating a more tailored shopping experience.

And for those looking to take customer engagement a step further, consider integrating an AI chatbot from Arsturn—you'll not only keep your customers informed, but also build a relationship that keeps them coming back for more! Remember, the easier you make it for customers to communicate their needs, the more successful your e-commerce business will become. Happy selling!