7 common mistakes to avoid when setting up your Shopify payment gateway

7 common mistakes to avoid when setting up your Shopify payment gateway

Launching an online store is exciting, but the real breakthrough happens when smooth, secure and fast payments start flowing in. A Shopify store becomes truly successful when the checkout is seamless and customers feel confident spending their money. 

This is where setting up your Shopify payment gateway correctly matters more than most new merchants realise. Even a small configuration mistake can affect approval rates, slow down transactions or make shoppers abandon their carts. 

In fact, recent e-commerce studies indicate that up to 17% of online shoppers drop off when a payment process is complicated or fails once. Below are seven common mistakes to avoid when setting up your Shopify payment gateway so your business can collect payments smoothly and scale faster.

Not verifying account and business information properly

Many merchants rush through the business verification stage and end up facing delays or account holds. The Shopify payment gateway setup involves identity verification and business details that must match your documents. If there is even a small mismatch, your verification could be slowed or rejected.

Always check your business registration name, contact details, domain ownership and banking information before submission. Accurate information also helps prevent future compliance issues, particularly as you expand your business or begin accepting higher transaction volumes.

Ignoring payment method diversity

Customers today expect choice. If your Shopify payment gateway only supports a few options, shoppers often exit and look for another store. When configuring your Shopify payment gateway, always enable popular payment modes such as UPI, credit cards, debit cards, net banking and wallets. It keeps you competitive and meets customer preferences without forcing them into a single payment path.

Not testing the checkout thoroughly

One of the most common mistakes is activating the Shopify payment gateway without running test transactions. Even if the system looks ready, small issues can occur, such as incorrect currency, a wrong business name on the receipt or a broken confirmation page link.

Run tests for all major flows such as prepaid orders, UPI, card payments, refunds and cancellations. Testing ensures the entire journey, from add-to-cart to payment success screen, functions without friction. It also helps you spot formatting errors or unclear instruction messages that may confuse shoppers.

Overlooking security configurations

Security is essential when configuring a Shopify payment gateway. Many merchants ignore security settings and trust only Shopify defaults. Strong fraud protection tools, tokenisation settings and SSL support build customer confidence and protect your store from risks.

Set up encryption, activate fraud filters and confirm tokenisation is enabled. Do not store card data manually anywhere outside the recommended system. Trust and safety play a major role in customer loyalty and repeat purchases.

Using unclear payment labels and settings

The checkout experience should be simple, informative and free from confusion. Some merchants leave default names or add technical terms that shoppers do not understand. As a result, customers hesitate and abandon the cart.

When configuring your Shopify payment gateway, ensure your buttons, labels and descriptions use plain language. For example, use Pay via UPI instead of generic terms like Alternate bank payment. Clear instructions lead to confident payments.

Not enabling affordability options

Modern online shoppers appreciate flexibility and affordability. If your Shopify payment gateway does not offer affordability, you miss out on conversions. In India, their adoption has grown rapidly, and surveys indicate that over 68% of digital buyers with credit cards choose affordability solutions when available.

Configure these options during your Shopify payment gateway setup to make purchasing easier and reduce cart abandonment.

Forgetting to monitor success rates and settlement reports

Setting up a Shopify payment gateway is not the end. Once you go live, transaction success rates, refunds, settlement schedules and customer support readiness matter every day. Many businesses lose track of failures or delays because they do not monitor reports regularly.

Set alerts for failed payments, settlement mismatches or frequent refund requests. Keep your reporting dashboard close and review performance weekly. This helps you respond quickly to customer issues, spot fraud patterns early and maintain cash flow consistency.

Building customer trust through reliable payments

Avoiding these seven Shopify payment gateway mistakes helps you build a strong, reliable payment foundation for your online store. A smooth checkout builds trust, keeps customers engaged and reduces drop-offs, which matters whether you are just starting or growing a busy e-commerce brand. Take time to configure every element correctly, test your flows and track performance so payments never interrupt your customer journey. 

For merchants looking for expert support, faster onboarding and flexible payment features, you can explore advanced solutions like Pine Labs Online.