In an exciting development last year, Shopify introduced a new feature that significantly enhanced the online shopping experience: new customer accounts equipped with easy passwords and an intuitive user interface. 

This innovation marked a significant leap forward in making online shopping more accessible and user-friendly. 

However, until recently, there was a missing piece in this puzzle - the involvement of the vast app ecosystem in enhancing these customer accounts. The wait is over, and the game is about to change.

Extensibility: A new frontier for developers

Shopify has made a big change by allowing more flexibility with customer accounts, similar to how their checkout works. This important step lets developers add their apps right into customer accounts, making shopping easier and more engaging. 

By leveraging extension targets, developers can now incorporate their functionalities throughout the customer journey, all while maintaining the unique brand settings of merchants. 

This development opens up a realm of possibilities for personalized and enhanced shopping experiences.

Enhancing the customer journey

The journey begins on the orders page, the first stop for any shopper. Developers can now introduce their extensions at strategic points on this page, including the top, bottom, and within the order actions menu.

This integration allows for a seamless transition to the order status page, where additional extension targets have been introduced, enriching the customer's interaction with timely and relevant information.

The profile page stands out as a pivotal touchpoint, where customers can effortlessly update their personal information. This page now serves as a canvas for merchants to offer more personalized content, such as loyalty points, store credits, and personal preferences, through the use of extension targets.

For needs that extend beyond the existing framework, developers have the freedom to create full-page extensions. This capability empowers developers to craft comprehensive and valuable functionalities, further enriching the customer experience.

A new horizon for B2B

One of the most transformative aspects of the new customer accounts platform is its support for Shopify's new B2B offering. This feature not only broadens the scope for existing apps but also creates a whole new category for developers to explore and innovate within.

The developer preview: A call to action

The announcement of the customer account extensibility developer preview has already sparked a wave of creativity among developers. Early adopters are already showcasing apps that promise to revolutionize the way merchants interact with their customers. 

With the developer preview now in full swing, there's a golden opportunity for developers to craft and refine their extensions before they become available for merchant installation.

Looking ahead

Shopify's commitment to innovation is unwavering, with plans to continuously expand the functionalities of new customer accounts. Developers and merchants alike are encouraged to keep an eye on upcoming features and enhancements.

To support this vibrant developer community, Shopify has enriched its developer documentation with a plethora of resources and tutorials, designed to inspire and facilitate the creation of groundbreaking apps.

The future is bright

As we stand on the brink of this new era of customer accounts on Shopify, the potential for transformation in the e-commerce space is immense. The fusion of developer ingenuity with Shopify's robust platform promises to usher in a new wave of personalized, engaging, and seamless shopping experiences. 

We eagerly anticipate the innovations that will emerge from this synergy and look forward to the continued evolution of e-commerce on Shopify.