How to Make Phone Numbers Required in Shopify Checkout

In the world of e-commerce, having accurate customer information is crucial for smooth order processing and delivery. For businesses operating in countries like India, where courier companies often require phone numbers for delivery confirmation, it’s essential to capture this information during checkout. This guide will walk you through the process of making phone numbers mandatory in your Shopify checkout, along with other important considerations for optimizing your checkout process.

Understanding Shopify’s Checkout Settings

The Importance of Contact Information

When running an online store, collecting the right customer information is vital. Email addresses and phone numbers are two of the most critical pieces of data you need. They allow you to:

1. Communicate order updates
2. Facilitate smooth deliveries
3. Provide customer support
4. Send marketing communications (with customer consent)

Default Shopify Behavior

By default, Shopify’s checkout form allows customers to provide either a phone number or an email address. This flexibility can be problematic for businesses that require both pieces of information for operational reasons.

Customizing Your Checkout Settings

Fortunately, Shopify provides options to customize your checkout process to ensure you collect all the necessary information from your customers.

Making Phone Numbers Mandatory in Shopify Checkout

Accessing Checkout Settings

To modify your checkout settings and make phone numbers mandatory, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel
2. Navigate to “Settings” in the left sidebar
3. Click on “Checkout” in the settings menu

Configuring Customer Contact Options

In the Checkout settings page, you’ll find a section called “Customer contact.” Here, you have two main options:

1. Let customers check out with either a phone number or an email
2. Require customers to check out with an email address

Setting Phone Number as Required

To ensure you capture phone numbers for all orders:

1. Scroll down to the “Customer information” section
2. Look for the “Phone number” option
3. Select “Required” from the dropdown menu

This setting will make the phone number field mandatory for all customers during checkout.

Balancing Email and Phone Requirements

While making phone numbers mandatory, you may also want to ensure you’re collecting email addresses. To do this:

1. In the “Customer contact” section, select “Customers can only check out using email”
2. Keep the “Phone number” setting as “Required” in the “Customer information” section

This configuration will require customers to provide both an email address and a phone number during checkout.

Additional Considerations for Checkout Optimization

Handling Local Phone Number Formats

Different countries have varying phone number formats. For instance:

• India typically uses 10-digit mobile numbers
• The Philippines uses 11-digit phone numbers

While Shopify doesn’t provide built-in validation for specific number formats, you can consider the following:

1. Clearly communicate the expected format in the checkout form
2. Use placeholder text to demonstrate the correct format
3. Consider using a third-party app for more advanced phone number validation

Addressing Pick-up Orders

For businesses offering in-store pickup, it’s important to note that the standard shipping address fields may not be filled out. To ensure you still collect phone numbers for these orders:

1. Make sure the “Phone number” field is set to “Required” in your checkout settings
2. Consider adding a note in your pickup instructions emphasizing the importance of providing a valid phone number

Capturing Alternative Contact Methods

Some businesses may want to collect additional contact information, such as:

1. Alternative phone numbers
2. WhatsApp numbers
3. Preferred contact methods

While Shopify’s core functionality doesn’t support adding custom fields to the checkout, you can explore the following options:

1. Use order notes to request additional information
2. Implement a post-purchase survey or follow-up email to gather more details
3. Explore Shopify apps that allow for checkout customization (note that these may affect your store’s performance)

Best Practices for Collecting Customer Information

Clear Communication

When asking for personal information, it’s crucial to be transparent about why you need it. Consider adding a brief explanation next to the phone number field, such as:

“We require your phone number to ensure smooth delivery and to contact you if there are any issues with your order.”

Data Privacy Compliance

Ensure that your data collection practices comply with relevant privacy laws, such as GDPR or CCPA. This includes:

1. Obtaining proper consent for data collection
2. Providing clear privacy policies
3. Implementing appropriate data security measures

Testing Your Checkout Process

After making changes to your checkout settings, it’s essential to thoroughly test the process:

1. Place test orders using different scenarios (e.g., shipping, pickup)
2. Verify that all required fields are functioning correctly
3. Check that order information is being captured accurately in your Shopify admin

By following these guidelines and best practices, you can ensure that your Shopify store collects the necessary contact information while providing a smooth checkout experience for your customers. Remember to regularly review and optimize your checkout process to meet the evolving needs of your business and customers.