Store credit, now in early access for Shopify developers, transforms how customers engage with your store. By integrating store credit as a checkout payment option, you can provide a seamless shopping experience, allowing customers to utilize issued credits towards their purchases. This guide outlines the process for managing store credit at checkout, issuing, debiting credit, understanding expiration policies, and the customer experience.

Managing Store Credit at Checkout

Note: Store credit is exclusively available for stores utilizing the new customer accounts.

Activation:

1. Navigate to Settings > Gift cards and store credit in your Shopify admin.
2. In the "Store credit" section, click Edit. 
   • To enable store credit at checkout, select Allow customers to see and spend store credit at checkout.
   • To disable it as a payment method, deselect the same option.
3. Click Save to apply changes.

Issuing Store Credit

Process:

1. Access Customers from your Shopify admin, then select the desired customer profile.
2. Under "Store credit," click Edit.
3. In the "Edit balance" dialog, choose Credit under "Adjustment".
4. Input the credit amount in the "Amount" field.
5. Set the expiration:
   • For non-expiring credit, select No expiry date.
   • To set an expiration date, choose Set expiry date, then pick a date from the calendar.
6. Click Review changes, then Credit to issue the store credit.

Debiting Store Credit

Steps:

1. In your Shopify admin, go to Customers and select the appropriate profile.
2. Click Edit in the "Store credit" section.
3. Choose Debit under "Adjustment" in the "Edit balance" dialog.
4. Enter the debit amount.
5. Review and confirm by clicking Debit.

Store Credit Expiration Dates

Considerations:

• Verify local laws regarding store credit expiration.
• Credit expires at 11:59 pm of the set date in your store's timezone.
• If multiple credits exist, the system debits the soonest to expire.

Customer Checkout Experience

Customers logged into their accounts can view available store credit in the "Store credit" section at checkout. Store credit is displayed in the checkout currency, aligning with any currency-specific credits issued to the account.

Store Credit Analytics

Store credit payments appear in "Payments" and "Payment by type" reports, offering insights into how customers use their credits.

Implementing store credit can not only streamline the checkout process but also enhance customer loyalty by offering a flexible payment alternative. By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate store credit into your Shopify store, ensuring a positive and efficient shopping experience for your customers.