Shopify Functions replaces Shopify Scripts: What you need to know now

As a Shopify Plus user, you'll likely be familiar with Shopify Scripts. The feature, introduced by Shopify in 2016, helps brands make micro-customizations to create personalized shopping experiences in the cart and at checkout. Many brands use Scripts to improve the checkout process and increase conversion rates.

However, on 08/13/2024, support for Shopify Scripts will end. Shopify Functions will replace Shopify Scripts from then on. This is a new technique for extending the Shopify backend with custom code.

The biggest advantage of the new function is that the speed can be increased significantly. Especially for larger flash sales, this presents many opportunities for merchants. Shopify Scripts was sometimes error-prone here - the new solution should prevent this.

We will show you in this article what Shopify Functions is, how it works and how your business can benefit from it.

What is Shopify Functions?

Shopify Functions is a new feature that allows developers to customize backend logic and create custom functions for a Shopify store. Using Shopify Functions, all Shopify merchants can now extend and customize existing Shopify functions to meet their business needs.

Moreover, functions can be configured directly in the admin area without touching a line of code. This is possible because these functions are installed with an app. Even though Functions only offers the familiar changes for discounts, shipping, and payment methods, Shopify has announced plans to add features for shipping rates, checkout and shopping cart validations, returns validations, and order routing in the coming time.

How Shopify Functions works

In summary, Shopify Functions allows developers to create serverless functions using common programming languages such as JavaScript, TypeScript, and Rust; to do so, the code must be compiled in WebAssembly. The functions can then be uploaded to Shopify infrastructure, where they are executed in response to events, such as a new order or customer data update.

You can use the Shopify API to interact with your Shopify store and perform various tasks. With this Shopify API, you can access the store's data and functions to easily create custom solutions based on Shopify.

The innovative Functions architecture provides open-source flexibility without the need for hosting, security, or forked code management. Because Functions are hosted on the Shopify infrastructure, they are always up to date and able to handle all the important tasks, even for larger Flash sales.

What is Shopify Scripts?

Shopify Scripts is a feature that allows Shopify Plus merchants to extend and customize the store by adding custom scripts, for example, to customize the checkout. However, support for Shopify Scripts will be discontinued on 08/13/2024. As a Shopify Plus agency, we regret the shutdown of Shopify Scripts, as we have implemented numerous features with it for our customers over the past years. Among them for example:

1. Promotions like gift items at Coeur de Lion or graduated discounts at ooia,

2. Bundles e.g. at our customers Sheko, Shape Republic or Cosline

3. Discount codes: e.g. at SpermedineLife discount codes are excluded depending on the country of delivery or at Snushus single items are discounted based on product labels

Merchants currently still relying on Shopify Scripts are encouraged to migrate all scripts to Shopify Functions by August 2024. Shopify Functions can be used now and will completely replace Shopify Scripts by next year at the latest.

Comparison: Shopify Functions and Shopify Scripts

Although both Shopify Functions and Shopify Scripts provide ways to customize the Shopify store, there are some key differences between them:

1. Intended use: Shopify Functions are ideal for customizing the frontend experience, while Shopify Scripts are mainly used for customizing the checkout process.

2. Programming languages: Shopify Functions are written using JavaScript, TypeScript and Rust, which makes them easily accessible to many developers. Shopify Scripts, on the other hand, require the use of Ruby, which can mean a bit of a learning curve.

3. Integration: Shopify Functions are seamlessly integrated into the store's theme, while Shopify Scripts are managed separately through the admin dashboard.

Shopify Functions advantages

1. Improved performance

Shopify Functions are built on AWS Lambda, a serverless computing platform. This allows functions to scale up or down automatically depending on the number of requests. This ensures that a store remains responsive even during periods of high traffic. This can reduce page load times and improve the overall user experience.

2. Enhanced security

To protect against potential security vulnerabilities, Shopify Functions run in a secure environment provided by AWS Lambda. In addition, it is possible to configure Shopify Functions to access only the specific data and resources they need to operate - further reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

3. Flexibility

Shopify Functions' new technology allows developers and store operators a high degree of flexibility. With the ability to create custom functions and workflows, businesses can tailor their store to meet specific needs and customer requirements.

Who is Shopify Functions suitable for?

First and foremost, Shopify Functions was introduced for developers and businesses who want to extend the functionality of their Shopify store. However, it is also suitable for businesses that need to automate their routine tasks or integrate with other systems or services.

We'll show you some examples of who Shopify Functions is suitable for below:

1. Small businesses

Shopify Functions can be especially beneficial for small businesses with limited resources. By automating routine tasks (such as updating inventory), businesses can save time and reduce the risk of errors.

2. Medium to large businesses

Shopify Functions is also useful for medium to large businesses. For example, businesses can use a custom function to integrate with their own inventory management system or automate the printing of shipping labels to enable efficient shipping options.

3. Companies with complex requirements

For complex requirements that can't be met by off-the-shelf solutions, Shopify Functions offers a high degree of flexibility to implement these business needs.

4. Developers

Shopify Functions is also naturally an ideal platform for developers to create custom functions for their customers' Shopify stores. Developers can create scalable, powerful applications that integrate seamlessly with Shopify.

Why should merchants use Shopify Functions?

Shopify merchants can maximize the potential of Shopify Functions to improve their business in a number of ways.

With Shopify's new feature, merchants can customize their shopping cart and checkout processes to optimize conversions and provide customers with a seamless shopping experience.

Merchants can thus create dynamic discounts based on factors such as order value or customer location. In addition, merchants can use Shopify Functions to integrate additional payment options so customers can choose the method they prefer and more.

With an effective use of Shopify Functions, it is possible for merchants to improve their overall management and gain valuable insights from detailed reports on sales and performance. Shopify Functions thus provides you with a flexible and powerful toolset to achieve the business needs you require.

Shopify Functions examples: These are the Shopify Functions API

• Product Discount API: Create an innovative discount form that is applied to a specific product or product variant in the shopping cart.

• Order Discount API: Develop an innovative discount type that is applied to all items in the shopping cart.

• Delivery Customization API: Name, structure and rearrange the delivery options available during the checkout process.

• Payment Customization API: Rename, structure and rearrange the payment methods available during the checkout process.

• Cart and Checkout Validation API: Implement your own validation for the cart and checkout process.

• Order Routing Location Rule API: Assign a customized order routing location sequence for each item when routing the order.

• Fulfillment Constraints API: Define your own logic for how Shopify should fulfill and assign an order.

• Shipping Discount API: Develop an innovative discount variation that is applied to one or more shipping rates during checkout.

• Cart Transform API: Expand items in the cart and update how cart items are displayed.

  Conclusion

Shopify Functions offers developers many ways to create custom components for their website. This allows merchants to tailor their website to the needs of their customers and provide a personalized shopping experience.

The toolset is already usable by everyone and provides you with all the features that Scripts also provides for you. As a Shopify Plus agency, we will also be using Shopify's new feature in the future with the shutdown of Shopify Scripts on 08/13/2024.