---
title: "How to Set Up Shopify Payment Methods (Complete 2026 Guide)"
description: "Learn how to configure payment methods on Shopify. Set up Shopify Payments, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, and alternative payment gateways for maximum conversions."
url: https://easyappsecom.com/guides/how-to-set-up-shopify-payment-methods.html
date: 2026-03-20
---

# How to Set Up Shopify Payment Methods (Complete 2026 Guide)

EasyApps Ecommerce

Last updated: March 2026

How to Set Up Shopify Payment Methods (Complete 2026 Guide)

By Jack Smith · Updated March 19, 2026 · 18 min read

TL;DR: Offering the right payment methods directly impacts your conversion rate — stores that add accelerated checkout options like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay see conversion increases of 10-18%. Configure payments in Settings > Payments. Activate Shopify Payments as your primary processor, enable PayPal Express, turn on accelerated checkout (Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay), and consider alternative methods like buy-now-pay-later for higher AOV items. Each missing payment method is a lost sale from customers who prefer that method.

Why Payment Method Selection Impacts Revenue

Payment preference is deeply personal and habitual. Some customers always use credit cards. Others trust only PayPal. A growing segment insists on Apple Pay or Google Pay for the speed and security. And younger shoppers increasingly demand buy-now-pay-later options. When a customer reaches your checkout and does not see their preferred payment method, they leave. Not because they do not want your product — because paying is not convenient enough.

The data is compelling. Shopify reports that Shop Pay converts at a rate 1.72x higher than standard checkout. Apple Pay and Google Pay reduce checkout time to seconds for returning customers. And buy-now-pay-later options like Shop Pay Installments increase AOV by 50% on qualifying orders. Each additional payment method you offer captures a segment of customers who would otherwise abandon checkout.

The cost of not offering popular payment methods is measurable. If 15% of your checkout visitors prefer PayPal and you only accept credit cards, you lose 15% of potential conversions at the very bottom of your funnel — the most expensive place to lose customers since you have already paid to acquire and nurture them to the point of purchase.

The good news is that Shopify makes it straightforward to offer multiple payment methods. Most can be activated in a few clicks, and Shopify handles the technical integration, security, and settlement. This guide walks through every option and helps you decide which combination works best for your store.

Setting Up Shopify Payments

Shopify Payments is Shopify built-in payment processor powered by Stripe. It offers the lowest transaction fees, the most seamless integration, and access to features like multi-currency and Shop Pay that are not available with third-party gateways.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Payments in your Shopify admin.

Step 2: If Shopify Payments is available in your country, you will see an option to activate it. Click "Activate Shopify Payments" or "Complete account setup."

Step 3: Provide your business information: legal business name, business address, tax identification number (EIN in the US), and the nature of your business. Shopify requires this for regulatory compliance.

Step 4: Add your banking information for payouts. Enter your bank account number and routing number. This is where Shopify deposits your sales revenue. Verify the account details carefully — incorrect information delays payouts.

Step 5: Configure your payout schedule. Choose between daily, weekly, or monthly payouts. Daily payouts provide the fastest access to funds. Weekly payouts simplify bookkeeping. Choose based on your cash flow needs.

Step 6: Review and accept accepted payment types. By default, Shopify Payments accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can also enable JCB, Diners Club, and Elo depending on your market.

Transaction fees: Shopify Payments charges credit card processing fees that vary by plan: Basic is 2.9% + $0.30, Shopify is 2.6% + $0.30, and Advanced is 2.4% + $0.30 per transaction. There are no additional Shopify transaction fees when using Shopify Payments. Using a third-party gateway adds an extra 0.5-2% Shopify transaction fee on top of the gateway fees.

Configuring PayPal

PayPal is used by over 400 million active users worldwide and is the second most popular payment method for ecommerce after credit cards. Offering PayPal captures customers who do not want to enter their credit card information on your site.

PayPal Express Checkout: Shopify automatically creates a PayPal Express Checkout integration when you first set up your store. Go to Settings > Payments and look for the PayPal section. If it shows "PayPal Express Checkout" with a status of "Active," it is already configured. If not, click "Activate PayPal" and follow the prompts to connect your PayPal Business account.

Creating a PayPal Business account: If you do not have a PayPal Business account, you will need to create one at paypal.com. A personal PayPal account is not sufficient — you need a business account to receive payments from customers. PayPal Business is free to create; you pay only processing fees on transactions.

PayPal Checkout customization: Configure the PayPal button appearance in your Shopify payments settings. You can choose to show PayPal as a payment option at checkout, as an express checkout button on product pages and in the cart, or both. Express checkout buttons on product pages can capture impulsive buyers by reducing checkout steps.

PayPal fees: PayPal charges its own processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 for domestic transactions, higher for international). These are separate from Shopify Payments fees. If you use PayPal alongside Shopify Payments, you pay PayPal fees on PayPal transactions and Shopify Payments fees on credit card transactions.

Enabling Accelerated Checkout Options

Accelerated checkout options let customers pay with one tap using previously saved payment information. They are the single most impactful checkout optimization for conversion rates:

Shop Pay: Shopify own accelerated checkout. Customers save their email, shipping address, and payment information once, then check out with one tap on any Shopify store. Shop Pay converts 1.72x better than regular checkout. Enable it in Settings > Payments > Shopify Payments > Shop Pay. It requires Shopify Payments and is free to offer.

Apple Pay: Lets customers pay using their Apple device biometrics (Face ID or Touch ID). Available on Safari browsers and Apple devices. Enable it in Settings > Payments under the "Accelerated checkout" section. Apple Pay requires Shopify Payments and is free to offer. It is especially important if a large portion of your traffic uses iPhones.

Google Pay: The Android and Chrome equivalent of Apple Pay. Customers pay with saved payment methods using their Google account. Enable in the same accelerated checkout section. It requires Shopify Payments.

Meta Pay: Allows payment through saved Facebook/Instagram payment methods. Useful if you drive significant traffic from Meta platforms.

Amazon Pay: Lets customers use their Amazon payment and shipping information. Enable through the Amazon Pay app in the Shopify App Store. This is a third-party integration with its own fee structure. Amazon Pay is particularly effective for stores whose customers are active Amazon shoppers.

Button placement: Accelerated checkout buttons appear at the top of the checkout page and optionally on product pages and in the cart. Having them on product pages enables one-click purchase (similar to Amazon "Buy Now"), which captures impulsive purchases and removes multi-step checkout friction entirely.

Adding Buy-Now-Pay-Later Options

Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) splits the purchase into installments, making higher-priced items more accessible. BNPL options increase conversion rates on orders over $100 and boost AOV significantly:

Shop Pay Installments: Shopify native BNPL option. Customers can split purchases into 4 bi-weekly payments or monthly installments for larger amounts. You receive the full payment upfront — Shopify handles the installment collection from the customer. Available for US merchants using Shopify Payments. N...
