Reader Question: “Should I allow guest checkout on my Shopify store?”

Why Mandatory Account Creation Hurts Conversions

Making account creation a requirement creates unnecessary friction. Here’s what customers are thinking:

• *”I’m just here for one thing, not a relationship.”
• “Do I really want another password to remember?”
• “This is starting to feel like work.”

You’re turning a quick, easy shopping moment into a commitment. Not everyone’s ready for that.

The Psychological Drop-off

People bail at the first sign of friction. According to a 2025 study by Shopify Enterprise:

• 26% abandon when forced to create an account
• 18% drop off due to unclear return policies
• 22% bounce from complicated checkout flows

Every extra step in the process is a chance for doubt — or distraction — to creep in.

The Power of Guest Checkout

Guest checkout is the digital version of “just browsing, thanks.” And that’s okay — it works.

Here’s why you should enable it (like, yesterday):

1. Speed Wins

Quick checkout = less room for second-guessing. Guest checkout lets shoppers move through the funnel at lightning speed. Use it as a part of Shopify’s speedy checkout updates.

2. Trust First, Data Later

You don’t need their email and phone number before they’ve even decided to buy. Deliver a great experience, and they’re more likely to come back willingly.

3. Better Mobile Conversion

Mobile shoppers are even more impatient. Guest checkout keeps the flow light and optimized for small screens.

4. Post-Purchase Accounts Still Happen

You can prompt account creation after purchase — when they’re riding the dopamine high from their order confirmation. Higher chance they’ll say yes.

But Wait — Don’t You Want Customer Data?

You do. But not at the cost of losing the sale. It’s better to:

• Capture email post-purchase with incentives
• Use retargeting pixels and ad data
• Offer loyalty rewards to encourage future logins

Data is important — but first, get the conversion.

How to Add Guest Checkout in Shopify

If you’re using Shopify:

1. Go to Settings > Checkout
2. Under “Customer accounts,” select Optional
3. Boom. You’re done.

Now customers can choose what works for them.

Final Thoughts: The Less You Ask, The More You Get

In 2025, the brands winning online aren’t the ones hoarding emails — they’re the ones delivering frictionless experiences.

Let your customers breathe. Let them buy without a password. Let the trust build after the sale.

Because if you make it easier for people to say “yes” today, they’re way more likely to stick around tomorrow.

Guest checkout isn’t a compromise. It’s a conversion power move.