Adding a Video to the Thank You Page: A Journey Through Shopify's Checkout Extensibility

It all started while sipping lukewarm coffee on a Monday morning. Janice, our operations genius, burst into our small office—laptop in hand. She was excited, as excited as one can be at 9 a.m., because she had just read a study that claimed videos dramatically increase customer engagement. "Why don't we add a video to our thank you page?" she asked, as if it were the most straightforward idea ever. The plan was simple: let's make that final click a memorable one. But, as they say, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, especially when Shopify decides to mix things up with something called Checkout Extensibility.

The Quest for Video Integration

Now, you wouldn't believe the enthusiasm in the room. If only it were as easy as uploading a cat video to Instagram, right? We dived headfirst into the vast sea of Shopify's documentation, eager to once again bring our charming video to the thank you page. Ah, those were the days—when embedding a video felt like a magical dash of pixie dust on our customer journey.

Checkout Extensibility smirked at us like a mischievous sprite. "Challenge accepted," we thought. We discovered that our treasured method was now a relic of the past, fit only for museums, as Shopify had decided to reroute the tracks. But with the courage of hobbits heading to Mordor, we needed to explore new paths.

Video Embedding Via Checkout Extensibility

Here’s the unvarnished truth: the old ways are gone, and we have to adapt. But don't worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! There’s a brand-new way to set sail—Checkouts Extensibility comes with its unique set of tools. Here’s what we did:

1. Enable Checkout Extensions: First, mosey over to your Shopify admin dashboard. Trot down to the 'Settings', then 'Checkout'. Here you'll enable some nifty new features.

2. Add Custom Script: This part feels a bit like placing a secret message inside a bottle. You'll find an option to install a snippet of HTML or JavaScript in your checkout process. This allows you to embed your video player of choice — we used an iFrame tag with YouTube or Vimeo links.

   <script>
     document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function () {
       var videoContainer = document.createElement('div')
       videoContainer.innerHTML = `<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/your_video_id" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>`
       document.querySelector('.thank-you-page-selector').appendChild(videoContainer)
     })
   </script>
   

3. Save and Celebrate: Hit save, and shout a little "Huzzah!" You're on your way to engaging thank you pages, again.

Our hands trembled with excitement—certainly not because of the third cup of coffee—as the hope for a more engaging customer sign-off was ignited once more.

Exploring Apps and Tools

As the saying goes, “There’s an app for that.” Buried amidst the myriad options in the Shopify App Store, we found apps that promised ease and flexibility. We were jubilant, like kids in a digital candy store! Shopify's App Store can be overwhelming, though. Trust us, we sampled—some apps were bloated, while others needed a fine-tuning.

Our Top Picks:

1. ReConvert Upsell & Cross Sell: A Swiss Army Knife of post-purchase tweaks. This wasn’t just any app; it allowed us to incorporate our beloved video in minutes, in addition to upselling.

2. OrderlyEmails: Okay, it's not just for emails. This helped craft a refined experience—every detail was in place, including that cheeky finishing video.

Exploring apps was a bit like trying on hats—some fit snugly, others made Janice’s hair look like an exploded souffle. But with trial and error, we found the ones that suited us.

Reflecting on Our Journey

Reflecting back on our escapade, it's comforting how a single cup of coffee and a sprinkle of curiosity led us into the evolving world of Shopify's Checkout Extensibility. Now, our customers experience a warm, personable thank you page, like a goodbye hug with a promise to see each other again. Sure, it wasn't rudimentary, but it was a journey of discovery. Isn’t that what e-commerce is all about? Endless possibilities, each checkout, a new story.

In conclusion, dear Shopify warriors, let’s toast to ever-evolving landscapes and the small victories we achieve as we mold technology to our whims. May your thank you pages be ever-engaging and sprinkled with the magic of modern digital storytelling. Cheers!