Shopify Checkout Error Messages: 4 Best Practices

Want to boost sales and keep customers happy? Nail your Shopify checkout error messages. Here’s how:

Make messages clear and specific
Tell users what to do next
Design messages well
Match your brand

Why it matters:

Cuts cart abandonment (currently 69.82% average)
Increases conversions (up to 35.26% ROI boost)
Improves customer experience

Quick tips:

Use simple words, not tech jargon
Give step-by-step fixes
Use colors and icons wisely
Keep your brand voice consistent

Good error messages = happier customers + more sales.

Practice	What to do	What to avoid
Clarity	Use everyday language	Tech jargon
Action	Provide clear next steps	Leaving users guessing
Design	Place errors near the problem	Using toast messages
Branding	Match your tone and style	Inconsistent messaging

Follow these tips to turn frustrating errors into helpful guides for your customers.

Types of Shopify Checkout Error Messages

Shopify checkout errors fall into three main groups:

Critical Errors: Stop the checkout process completely.
Warning Errors: Alert users to potential issues but allow them to continue.
Informational Errors: Provide helpful tips without blocking the checkout.

Common error types:

Error Type	Example	Impact
Payment	"Unable to process payment"	Stops purchase
Inventory	"Product out of stock"	Prevents adding to cart
Customer Info	"Invalid email address"	Blocks order completion
Shipping	"Address not found"	Halts delivery setup

Errors can pop up at different stages:

Cart Page
Information Entry
Payment Step
Order Confirmation

Example: "SHOPIFY:001" error occurs when a B2B customer tries to use a price list in a currency that’s not enabled in Shopify Markets & Currencies.

"Without feedback, users can feel uncertain, lost, and frustrated." – Chelsea Singer, Shopify UX

Each error type needs a specific approach:

Payment errors: Check gateway settings and connections.
Inventory issues: Update stock levels or adjust management.
Customer info problems: Ensure forms are clear and easy to use.

1. Make Messages Clear and Specific

Clarity is key. Here’s how to make your error messages crystal clear:

Use Simple Words

Ditch the tech jargon. Use everyday language. For example:

Instead of	Use
"Invalid email"	"Please enter an email including @"
"Error"	"Your card number is incomplete"

Avoid Complex Terms

Keep it simple:

Don’t blame the user or use technical language like ‘server’, ‘API’, or ‘backend’.
Focus on making messages clear and straightforward.

Give Exact Details

Be specific about the issue
Provide clear instructions
Use adaptive error messages
Implement multiple specific messages for complex inputs

2. Tell Users What to Do Next

Guide your customers through the error-fixing process:

Step-by-Step Fixes

Highlight the problem field
Provide specific instructions
Use auto-formatting for fields like credit card numbers

Use Helpful Language

Be polite
Explain why you’re asking for certain info
Keep it simple

Offer Other Choices

Make guest checkout clear
Suggest corrections (like email fixes)
Provide support links

3. Design Messages Well

Use colors, icons, and placement effectively:

Colors and Icons

Use red sparingly for critical errors
Opt for yellow for less urgent warnings
Pair colors with icons for accessibility

Where to Put Messages

Display errors above input fields
Avoid toast messages for errors
Place messages close to the problem source

Keep Checkout Smooth

Use inline validation
Avoid auto-scrolling to errors
Start with an error summary for multiple errors

4. Match Your Brand

Make error messages fit your brand’s style:

Use Your Brand’s Voice

Write messages that sound like your brand, but keep them helpful.

Include Brand Elements

Add your:

Logo
Brand colors
Specific fonts

Keep Design Consistent

Make all error messages look the same for a smooth experience.

"While an error message can’t solve everything—least of all the error itself—it can be a helpful touch point for customers to feel informed and in control." – Anton Sten, Product Designer

How to Change Error Messages

Access the Theme Editor
Locate the Error Messages
Edit the Message
Save Your Changes

Helpful tools:

Shopify Checkout Extensibility (for Plus users)
Public Shopify Apps
Custom Shopify Apps

Check If New Messages Work Better

Watch these metrics:

Error rate
Recovery rate
Error resolution time
Cart abandonment rate

Ask customers directly:

Use pop-up surveys
Send follow-up emails
Analyze customer service inquiries
Run usability tests

Collect feedback for at least 3-4 weeks.

Wrap-Up

Key practices:

Clear and specific
Action-oriented
Well-designed
Brand-aligned

These practices impact your bottom line by reducing cart abandonment, increasing conversions, and improving customer experience.

Keep improving your error messages. It’s an ongoing process that pays off in happier customers and more sales.

Shopify Checkout Error Messages: 4 Best Practices

Types of Shopify Checkout Error Messages