In short: To require sign-up before checkout, add a class that applies only to customers who aren't logged in. Add it to the "Check out" button on the cart page and in the cart drawer, and to the "Buy it now" button on product pages. This requires editing your theme code, and an implementation example for the Horizon theme is available.
Key points
- Add a class that applies only to customers who aren't logged in to the "Check out" button on the cart page and in the cart drawer and to the "Buy it now" button on product pages. The sign-up form then appears before checkout
- Adding the class means editing your theme code directly, and an implementation example for the Horizon theme is available
- The login link on the checkout page keeps working as currently designed. To add more entry points from there, place your own login button on your store
- Duplicate your theme before editing the code, and have someone who can edit code do the work
Can you require sign-up before checkout?
Yes. Add a class that applies only to customers who aren't logged in to the buttons that go to the checkout page. When a customer clicks one of these buttons, the sign-up form opens. The customer then completes sign-up instead of going on to checkout.
Source: Howdy Help: "How to always collect customer information before purchase" (Japanese)
Which buttons do you add the class to?
Of the buttons that go to the checkout page, these four are covered.
| Button | Location |
|---|---|
| Check out | Cart page |
| Check out | Cart drawer |
| Buy it now | Product page |
| Other buttons that go to the checkout page | Various places in your theme |
Source: Howdy Help: "How to always collect customer information before purchase" (Japanese)
What are the steps for editing the code?
- In Online Store, open the theme editor with Customize, enable the app block, and save
- Edit the code of the target buttons with a conditional, so that the "howdy-register-original-trigger-btn" class is added only when the customer isn't logged in (use
{% if customer %}to check whether the customer is logged in) - For the Horizon theme, rewrite the checkout button code to follow this conditional
If you duplicate your theme before editing, you can restore it to its original state. You can also set a redirect to a page of your choice after the sign-up form is submitted.
Source: Howdy Help: "How to always collect customer information before purchase" (Japanese)
Can the login link on the checkout page also open the sign-up form?
The login link on the checkout page keeps working as currently designed and isn't connected to the sign-up form. To add more entry points to the sign-up form from the checkout page, hide the login link on the checkout page and create your own login button, for example in your store's header. When you add the "howdy-register-original-trigger-btn" class to this button, it links to the sign-up form automatically. To create your own button on your store, add the button to your theme with the app block enabled.
Source: Howdy Help Q&A: "Can you add a link to the form on the checkout page's login link?" (Japanese)
Related articles
- What are Shopify's new customer accounts? Differences from legacy accounts and what to do in 2026
- How to add a sign-up form to new customer accounts (Howdy)
- Sign-up forms for Shopify new customer accounts: 14 frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
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