Why the First Order Gift Isn't Added with Express Checkout Buttons (Essential Subscriptions app)
The 1st order gift is added to the cart when the shopper clicks Add to cart on the product page. Express checkout buttons on the product page skip the cart. So the gift is not added, and the shopper checks out with the subscription only.
This is how Shopify's express buttons work. The app can't add a gift on the way to checkout.
Which buttons skip the gift
These are the buttons under Add to cart on the product page. Shopify calls them dynamic checkout buttons.
- Buy it now
- Buy with Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and other wallet buttons
- More payment options
If a shopper uses one of these, they get the subscription without the gift. Nothing breaks. The gift is just missing.
Fix: hide the buttons on products with a gift
Turn the buttons off on the product page. Then shoppers can only use Add to cart, and the gift is always added.
If every product in your store has a subscription gift, turn the buttons off in your default product template (Step 2 only). If only some products have gifts, give those products their own template, so your other products keep their express buttons.
Step 1: Create a product template for gift products
- In Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Themes and click Customize.
- In the page selector at the top, choose Products, then Create template.
- Name it, for example subscription-gift. Base it on Default product. Click Create template.
Step 2: Turn off the express buttons
- In the template, open the Product information section and click the Buy buttons block.
- Uncheck Show dynamic checkout buttons.
- Click Save.
Step 3: Assign the template to your gift products
- Go to Products and open a product that has a 1st order gift.
- In the Theme template card, choose the template you made.
- Click Save. Repeat for each product with a gift.
Setting names differ between themes. If you can't find Show dynamic checkout buttons, check your theme's docs or write to us and we'll help.
Express checkout still works after Add to cart
You only need to hide the buttons on the product page. Once the shopper adds the subscription with Add to cart, the gift is in the cart. From there, they can pay with Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal at checkout. The gift stays in the order and stays free.