Creating Custom Payment Option Names for Better Clarity

Global fashion brands face a unique challenge at checkout: payment options often display with generic names that don't communicate critical market-specific details like processing times, international fees, or currency conversion charges. This lack of clarity can lead to customer confusion, abandoned carts, and post-purchase dissatisfaction when unexpected fees appear on statements.

The solution is to customize payment option names based on the customer's market, providing transparent information about fees and processing times directly in the payment method name. Standard Shopify checkout settings don't support dynamic payment option naming, but with the Sway Functions Generator, you can create sophisticated payment functions that rename payment gateways to provide market-specific clarity.

The Business Case for Custom Payment Option Names

Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Access the Payment Functions Section

1. From your Shopify admin, open the Sway Functions Generator app
2. Click on "Functions" in the main navigation
3. Select the "Payment" tab

2. Create a New Payment Function

1. Click "Create function"
2. From the modal, select "Change Payment Names"
3. You'll be taken to the function editor

3. Configure Basic Settings

1. Enter a descriptive campaign name (e.g., "International Market Payment Names")
2. Set the function status to "Active"

4. Define International Customer Segment

This is where you'll specify which customers should see customized payment names:

1. Under "Customer Qualifier," select "Shipping Address Country"
2. Choose the condition "is not one of"
3. Add your domestic market countries (e.g., "United States", "Canada")
4. This ensures the function activates for international customers

5. Configure Payment Option Name Customization

Now define how payment option names should be customized:

1. Under "Payment Gateway Actions," select "Change Gateway Names"
2. For "Original Gateway Name Contains," enter your payment method (e.g., "Credit Card")
3. For "New Gateway Name," enter a more informative name (e.g., "Credit Card - 2% International Fee")
4. Add a description like "Foreign transaction fees may apply depending on your card issuer"

6. Create Additional Name Customizations

Repeat step 5 for each payment method:

1. Click "Add Gateway Name Change"
2. Configure changes for other payment options:
   • "PayPal" → "PayPal - No International Fees"
   • "Klarna" → "Klarna - Currency Conversion Applies"
   • "Apple Pay" → "Apple Pay - Currency Conversion Varies by Card"

7. Create Region-Specific Functions (Optional)

For more targeted customization:

1. Create separate functions for specific regions or countries
2. Customize payment names with market-specific details
3. Set appropriate priority levels to ensure the correct functions apply

8. Save and Test

1. Save your functions
2. Test thoroughly with different shipping addresses in various markets

Advanced Configuration Options

Processing Time Clarification

For payment methods with varying processing times:

1. Include processing information in the custom name
2. For example:
   • "Credit Card - 24hr Processing Time"
   • "Bank Transfer - 3-5 Business Day Processing"
   • "Express Payment - Same Day Processing"

Currency-Specific Information

For stores that sell in multiple currencies:

1. Add currency-specific details to payment names
2. For example:
   • "Credit Card - Charged in USD"
   • "PayPal - Automatic Currency Conversion to EUR"
   • "Local Payment Methods - Charged in Local Currency"

Promotional Payment Method Highlighting

For payment methods with special benefits:

1. Add promotional messaging to relevant payment methods
2. For example:
   • "Shop Pay - Earn 2% Cashback This Week!"
   • "Store Card - Free Shipping on Next Order"
   • "PayPal - Extended 60-Day Returns"

Implementation Example: Global Fashion Brand

Here's a real-world example from an international fashion brand:

1. Domestic (US) Customer Experience:

   • Standard payment option names:
     • Credit/Debit Card
     • PayPal
     • Shop Pay
     • Apple Pay / Google Pay
     • Afterpay

2. European Customer Experience:

   • Customized payment option names:
     • Credit/Debit Card - €1.50 Int'l Fee + 1-2 Days Processing
     • PayPal - No Added Fees - Instant
     • Shop Pay - Currency Conversion Applies - Instant
     • Apple Pay / Google Pay - Card Fee May Apply - Instant
     • Local European Methods - No Added Fees

3. Asia-Pacific Customer Experience:

   • Customized payment option names:
     • Credit/Debit Card - 2% Int'l Fee + 1-3 Days Processing
     • PayPal - No Added Fees - Instant
     • Regional Payment Methods - Free Processing
     • Apple Pay - Card Fee May Apply - Instant

Merchandising Your Payment Name Customization

To maximize the effectiveness of your custom payment names:

1. Create Payment FAQs by Region - Provide detailed information about fees and processing
2. Add Pre-Checkout Information - Highlight payment options before customers reach checkout
3. Include Tooltips or Popups - Offer additional explanations when customers hover over payment options
4. Create Market-Specific Help Content - Develop guides for customers in different regions
5. Highlight Preferred Local Options - Draw attention to payment methods popular in each market

Real Results: Global Fashion Brand Case Study

A global fashion retailer implemented custom payment option names with these results:

• 34% reduction in payment-related support tickets
• 18% increase in international conversion rate
• 27% decrease in checkout abandonment for international customers
• 42% reduction in payment-related order cancellations
• 31% improvement in customer satisfaction scores related to checkout

Measuring Success

To evaluate the effectiveness of your custom payment name strategy, monitor these metrics:

• International Conversion Rate - Are more international customers completing purchases?
• Payment Support Volume - Have inquiries about fees and processing decreased?
• Cart Abandonment at Payment Step - Are fewer customers leaving during payment selection?
• Payment Method Distribution - Have selections shifted toward clearer or more advantageous options?
• Post-Purchase Satisfaction - Has feedback about payment experiences improved?

Common Issues and Solutions

| Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Too much information making names too long | Focus on the most critical information and use concise wording | | Difficulty keeping fee information current | Schedule regular reviews of payment processing terms | | Payment gateway identification challenges | Consult with payment providers for exact gateway identifiers | | Varying fees by card type | Use ranges or "may apply" language for variable fees |

Next Steps

Ready to implement custom payment option names for your global brand? Start by:

1. Mapping key markets and their specific payment considerations
2. Identifying which fee and processing details are most important to communicate
3. Creating appropriate payment function rules for each market segment
4. Testing thoroughly with addresses in different regions
5. Monitoring customer feedback and refining messaging based on results

For personalized assistance with your international payment strategy, book a consultation with our team.