Express Checkout on Squarespace
Express checkout lets customers skip the cart and go straight to payment. It's perfect for single-product stores or when you want to streamline the buying process.
TL;DR:
- Express checkout bypasses the cart, taking customers straight to payment
- Changes your 'Add to Cart' button to a 'Purchase' button
- Best for single-product stores or quick purchases
- Stops customers buying multiple items in one go (unless you adjust settings)
- Toggle it on/off through the Cart panel in your dashboard
- Always stays active for subscription products
How Express Checkout Works
When you enable express checkout, your product pages work differently. Instead of an 'Add to Cart' button, customers see a 'Purchase' button. Click it and they go straight to checkout.
This cuts out the cart step entirely, which is brilliant for reducing the chances of people changing their minds halfway through.
Setting Up Express Checkout
Head to your Squarespace dashboard and find the Cart panel. You'll see an 'Enable Express Checkout' toggle switch. Turn it on and you're done.
The change happens immediately across your site. Your 'Add to Cart' buttons become 'Purchase' buttons on all product pages.
When Express Checkout Makes Sense
Express checkout works best when:
- You sell mainly one product at a time
- You want the fastest possible checkout
- You're running a promotion or flash sale
- You have high cart abandonment rates
It's particularly useful during busy periods when you want to reduce friction and get people through checkout quickly.
When to Turn It Off
If your store grows and you start selling multiple products, you'll want to disable express checkout. Otherwise, customers can't buy several items in one transaction.
To turn it off, go back to the Cart panel and toggle off 'Enable Express Checkout'. Your buttons will switch back to 'Add to Cart' and the regular cart process returns.
The Subscription Exception
Here's something to watch out for: you can't disable express checkout for subscription products. Once it's on, it stays on for anything with recurring payments. This is just how Squarespace handles subscriptions.
Handling Multiple Items
If you keep express checkout enabled but customers want multiple items, they'll need to place separate orders. This can be awkward, so consider your customer's typical buying patterns before making the switch.
Some stores handle this by processing partial refunds or adjustments manually, but that creates extra admin work.
FAQs
Can I use express checkout with multiple products?
Not really. Express checkout is designed for single-item purchases. If customers regularly buy multiple items, stick with the regular cart system.
What happens if someone tries to buy multiple items with express checkout on?
They'll need to place separate orders for each item. You can handle exceptions manually through refunds or adjustments, but it's not ideal.
Can I turn off express checkout for subscription products?
No. Once express checkout is enabled, it stays active for all subscription products. This is built into how Squarespace handles recurring payments.
Does express checkout work on mobile?
Yes, it works the same way on mobile devices. The streamlined process can actually be more helpful on mobile where every extra step feels more cumbersome.
Jargon Buster
Express Checkout – A streamlined buying process that skips the cart and goes straight to payment
Cart Abandonment – When customers add items to their cart but leave without buying
Toggle – An on/off switch for features in your dashboard
Subscription Products – Items with recurring payments that deliver regularly over time
Wrap-up
Express checkout simplifies buying for customers who want one item quickly. It's particularly effective for single-product stores or during promotional periods when you want to reduce friction.
The key is matching it to how your customers actually shop. If they typically buy one thing at a time, express checkout will likely improve your conversion rates. If they often buy multiple items, stick with the traditional cart system.
Remember that subscription products always use express checkout once it's enabled, so factor that into your decision.
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