Shopify is making updates to the post-purchase experience, specifically the Thank You and Order Status pages. These updates are part of Shopify’s broader shift to Checkout Extensibility which is a more secure, app-based way to customize the customer journey after checkout. If you never customized any of those pages, don’t worry at all, all changes will be done automatically.
If you’ve relied on checkout.liquid, custom scripts, or third-party apps to personalize these pages, now is the time to prepare. Shopify is requiring all merchants to migrate to the new system by August 28, 2026. Here’s what you need to know.
Why This Update Matters
The Thank You and Order Status pages aren’t just transactional, they’re a huge opportunity for upsells, brand engagement, and customer reassurance. But many customizations to these pages have been implemented using outdated, sometimes hacky methods. Shopify’s update introduces a modern approach that’s faster, safer, and easier to maintain.
High-Level Backend Changes
1. checkout.liquid Is Being Retired
If you’ve customized these pages using checkout.liquid, that functionality will no longer be supported. Shopify is moving away from file-based customizations and encouraging merchants to use app blocks instead.
2. Additional Scripts Are Being Deprecated
Custom JavaScript and tracking pixels added directly to the Thank You and Order Status pages using the "Additional scripts" field will be removed. These must be reimplemented using the new web pixels API or apps designed for Checkout Extensibility.
3. App Blocks Take Center Stage
Instead of injecting code directly, Shopify now supports customizations through Checkout and Post-Purchase app blocks. These are modular, app-powered components that are easier to manage and don't compromise checkout performance or security.
4. Web Pixels for Analytics and Tracking
All tracking scripts and analytics now need to use the Shopify Web Pixel API, which enables more secure and privacy-compliant data collection. This change is especially important for merchants using third-party analytics tools.
5. Personalized Admin Upgrade Guide
To make this transition easier, Shopify has added a personalized upgrade checklist in your admin panel. This tool scans your current setup and highlights which customizations need attention, making it easier to plan and execute the upgrade.
Let’s Talk Design
While the backend changes are critical, there’s also an exciting opportunity to revisit the design of your Thank You and Order Status pages. With app blocks, you can now craft a more visually engaging and brand-consistent post-purchase experience with features like product recommendations, referral prompts, and custom messages.
Automatically, this update changes a few things, changing the way a few buttons and text look. These changes are not radical and are almost impossible to notice to the untrained eye, but are overal positive.
Thank You Page
Your customer is still in buying mode. Don’t waste that moment.
Here’s what you can do:
- Show related products to upsell while the intent is still high
- Offer a discount for their next order
- Drop in a referral message (“Get $10 off when your friend orders”)
- Ask for an email or SMS opt-in if they didn’t do it at checkout
- Let them share their purchase on social media, (could be tied to a loyalty program for points)
- Run a quick survey to learn where they came from or why they bought
- Link to helpful content (setup guides, blog posts, FAQs)
- Note to Keep the order summary clear and clean
Order Status Page
Customers come back here to check shipping updates. That makes it a repeat touchpoint that can be used strategically as well.
Here’s what you can add:
- Live order tracking so they don’t bug your support team -> Shopify already does that!
- A prompt to create an account if they checked out as a guest
- Product education content to reduce returns and increase satisfaction
- A review request, timed to show up after delivery
- Cross-sells or refills if the product makes sense for it
- A link to your loyalty or rewards program
- An embedded support widget or quick link to your help center
- If you’re running a referral program, show them how many friends they’ve referred or any motivator to keep them sharing
This page sticks around for a while, so use it to reinforce trust and value over time.
Final Thoughts
This is ultimately a good update. Shopify is giving merchants a cleaner, safer way to manage one of the most overlooked, but important, parts of the customer journey. The earlier you begin migrating your Thank You and Order Status customizations, the smoother the transition will be.
If you're on Shopify Plus or using legacy customizations, now’s the time to log in, check your upgrade guide, and start planning.
You can follow Shopify’s tutorial here:
https://help.shopify.com/en/manual/checkout-settings/customize-checkout-configurations/plus-upgrade-guide
Or rely on us to help you transition and use those pages for revenue generating activities. If you need help contact us here.
