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Optimising Shopify Checkout: Where PayPal Fits, and Where Pay-by-Bank Should Be First

Futuristic digital illustration of an optimised Shopify checkout screen with Pay-by-Bank highlighted as the first payment method, followed by Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, shown in neon purple, lavender, and gold tones to represent faster biometric c
The fastest way to increase Shopify conversion rate in 2025 is not another theme tweak or an abandoned-cart sequence. It is checkout UX optimisation — specifically, how payment methods appear, in what order, and how much friction they create on mobile.

Most UK merchants unknowingly lose conversions because their checkout buttons are not arranged for speed, biometric certainty, or lowest fee routing. They rely on PayPal because it is familiar, but rarely test what happens when Pay-by-Bank becomes the first actionable tap.

Key Takeaways:

  • Checkout UX is now the strongest determinant of Shopify conversion rates — especially on mobile, where buyers only see the first two payment buttons.
  • Pay-by-Bank should be placed first because biometric bank authentication offers the fastest, lowest-friction path with significantly lower payment fees.
  • PayPal remains essential, but performs best as a secondary option: visible, familiar, and accessible without dominating the primary conversion path.
  • Button ordering is one of the easiest and highest-impact conversion optimisation levers, improving payment routing efficiency and reducing fee overhead.
  • Clear labelling, reduced visual clutter, and speed-oriented microcopy help guide buyers toward the fastest and most secure payment experience.
This guide outlines conversion optimisation strategies, grounded in modern UX research and real merchant performance patterns. It focuses on efficient payment processing, secure online payments, and checkout design best practices — without removing PayPal, but placing it where it performs best.

Shopify Checkout Has Changed — UX Now Decides Your Payment Mix

Shopify’s modern one-page checkout allows multiple payment methods, but also makes one truth unavoidable:
The first method that appears fastest wins the conversion.
When customers see a scrollable list of wallets, redirects, and login screens, they default to the most recognisable brand — often PayPal — even if it slows the checkout or increases transaction costs.

Behaviour Shifts in UK Checkout Patterns

  • Mobile biometric authentication (Face ID or fingerprint) now defines "fast".
  • Customers prefer tap-to-pay experiences without typing.
  • Younger buyers avoid account-based flows unless necessary.
Pay-by-Bank aligns naturally with mobile-first behaviour, but its impact depends entirely on placement.
On this page

Mobile UX: Why Button Placement Matters More Than Desktop Layouts

Over 70 percent of UK Shopify orders now complete on mobile, meaning:
  • Most buyers only see the first one or two payment buttons.
  • Scroll depth is minimal.
  • Every additional tap creates measurable drop-off.

PayPal’s Mobile Flow

PayPal still requires:
  1. Email or phone recognition.
  2. Account login, unless cookies persist.
  3. Funding source selection.
  4. Redirect back to Shopify.
This is a multi-screen flow that feels long on mobile, especially under poor connectivity.

Pay-by-Bank’s Mobile Flow

Modern Pay-by-Bank offers:
  1. Choose bank.
  2. Biometric confirmation inside the banking app.
  3. Automatic return to checkout.
No passwords. No username flows. No secondary account management. This is why PBB significantly increases conversion when placed first.

Ready to Optimise Your Shopify Checkout and Increase Conversion?

Wallid’s Pay-by-Bank gives buyers the fastest checkout experience with biometric bank payments, reduces payment processing fees by up to 95%, and helps merchants move expensive PayPal traffic to a faster, more reliable payment rail with no chargebacks.

Book a Free Demo

See how Pay-by-Bank reduces friction, improves mobile checkout speed, and boosts conversion by placing the fastest payment method at the top of your Shopify checkout.

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Button Ordering: The Most Overlooked Conversion Lever in Shopify

Most merchants leave PayPal first because "customers expect it." But expectation shifts when a faster, simpler option appears first.

What the Data Shows

  • Placing Pay-by-Bank above PayPal consistently increases PBB routing.
  • Top-positioned methods absorb the majority of conversions.
  • Prioritising PayPal increases transaction costs unnecessarily.

Recommended Payment Method Ordering (2025)

  1. Pay-by-Bank (biometric, fast, lowest cost)
  2. Apple Pay or Google Pay
  3. PayPal
  4. Standard card entry (Shopify Payments)
This structure gives speed-first methods priority while keeping PayPal accessible for those who specifically want it.

Ready to Optimise Your Shopify Checkout and Increase Conversion?

Wallid’s Pay-by-Bank gives buyers the fastest checkout experience with biometric bank payments, reduces payment processing fees by up to 95%, and helps merchants move expensive PayPal traffic to a faster, more reliable payment rail with no chargebacks.

Book a Free Demo

See how Pay-by-Bank reduces friction, improves mobile checkout speed, and boosts conversion by placing the fastest payment method at the top of your Shopify checkout.

On this page

Wallet Friction Versus Biometric Bank Payments

Customers increasingly expect checkout identity to be tied to their device biometrics. Anything else introduces friction.

Where Wallets Add Friction

  • Passwords and login screens.
  • Redirects and account-loading delays.
  • Forgotten credentials.
  • Forced funding source selection.
  • Variable reliability based on cookies or device.

How Biometric Bank Payments Remove Friction

  • The banking app already verifies identity.
  • No credentials to remember.
  • No account to maintain.
  • Authentication is instantaneous.
For first-time buyers especially, Pay-by-Bank feels more predictable and less intrusive than wallet-based flows.
On this page

Where PayPal Is Best Placed in Checkout

PayPal remains important for:
  • Older customer demographics.
  • Higher average order values.
  • International traffic.
  • Repeat customers with entrenched PayPal habits.
Optimal PayPal placement:
  • Visible but not dominant.
  • Secondary to faster mobile-native options.
PayPal works best when it acts as a familiar fallback rather than the default route.

Where Pay-by-Bank Should Be First

Pay-by-Bank should be prioritised when:
  • Mobile traffic exceeds 60 percent.
  • Reducing fraud or chargebacks is important.
  • Checkout completion speed directly affects ROAS.
  • Margin impact from payment fees is meaningful.
  • Buyers actively use their banking apps.

Ready to Optimise Your Shopify Checkout and Increase Conversion?

Wallid’s Pay-by-Bank gives buyers the fastest checkout experience with biometric bank payments, reduces payment processing fees by up to 95%, and helps merchants move expensive PayPal traffic to a faster, more reliable payment rail with no chargebacks.

Book a Free Demo

See how Pay-by-Bank reduces friction, improves mobile checkout speed, and boosts conversion by placing the fastest payment method at the top of your Shopify checkout.

Impact of Prioritising Pay-by-Bank

Higher conversion: Buyers choose the fastest path.
Lower payment costs: Reduced card and wallet processing fees.
Fewer disputes: Strong bank authentication eliminates many PayPal and card chargeback categories.
Greater checkout resilience: No third-party login failures, rate limits, or wallet outages.
On this page

Checkout Design Best Practices for 2025

Prioritisation & Button Ordering

Mobile Experience

Clarity & Messaging

Performance & Reliability

Conversion Strategy

Summary: Pay-by-Bank Wins Speed; PayPal Wins Familiarity You should not remove PayPal from your Shopify checkout, but you should stop giving it the most prominent position. The optimal 2025 checkout order is:

Pay-by-Bank first: biometric, instant, lowest cost.
Apple or Google Pay second: familiar and device-native.
PayPal third: trusted but slower.
Card form last: broadest fallback.

This configuration respects buyer psychology and maximises both revenue and operational efficiency.

FAQ

Should I remove PayPal to improve conversion?

No. Removing PayPal risks losing customers who prefer it. The recommended approach is to reprioritise button ordering so Pay-by-Bank is primary while PayPal remains an accessible secondary option.

Will putting Pay-by-Bank first reduce PayPal usage?

Yes — but primarily for impulse purchases where buyers choose the fastest path. Customers who specifically prefer PayPal will still select it; overall site fees and checkout friction typically decrease.

How much can payment button ordering impact conversion?

For mobile-first stores, reordering the top buttons can change payment routing by double-digit percentages and deliver measurable revenue uplift when combined with microcopy and styling tests.

Do customers trust Pay-by-Bank without explanation?

Most UK customers recognise their banking app. A short label such as “Fast bank payment — confirm with your banking app” is usually sufficient to remove doubt and increase adoption.

How should I A/B test payment layouts?

Run split tests that measure routing percentages, conversion rate, and net revenue after fees. Test for at least a full sales cycle (often two weeks) and segment results by device.

What about international customers — is Pay-by-Bank appropriate?

Pay-by-Bank is strongest for UK bank customers. For significant international traffic, keep PayPal and card options visible as secondary or fallback methods.

Will offering more payment methods always increase conversions?

Not necessarily. More options can increase cognitive load. Prioritisation and ordering matter more than quantity — keep two prominent CTAs and relegate others below the fold.

Can I promote Pay-by-Bank without undermining PayPal or wallets?

Yes. Use neutral microcopy that highlights speed and security rather than disparaging other methods. Subtle UX prioritisation is more effective than overt messaging.

Are there accessibility or biometric concerns to consider?

Ensure alternatives exist for users without biometric-capable devices. Provide clear fallback paths and accessible labels so screen readers and assistive technologies can navigate payment options.

Expert Note:
Written by a Wallid Content Specialist with expertise in Shopify checkout optimisation, payment UX, and UK buyer behaviour. This article is part of Wallid’s educational series helping merchants increase conversion through smarter payment ordering, mobile-first UX, and fast, secure Pay-by-Bank flows.

2025-12-12 16:59 paypal pay by bank