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Offsite Checkout on Shopify (Explained for the Caribbean)

February 12, 2025•6 min read•WiFy Plugin Team

When you add a third-party payment gateway to Shopify—like WiPay or FAC—your buyer often hops from your store to a hosted payment page and then back again. That jump is called offsite checkout. It's normal, secure, and common across Caribbean gateways. But it's not the only model anymore, and the differences matter for conversion and trust.

Two ways third-party payments appear at Shopify checkout

1) Offsite (Hosted Page) providers

  • Buyer selects the gateway → gets redirected to the provider's secure page → pays → returns to your order status page.
  • Shopify's payments platform literally calls this an offsite payments extension and the redirect is by design.

2) Direct (onsite) third-party credit-card providers

  • Card fields stay inside Shopify's checkout; there's no redirect. Shopify calls these direct providers (as opposed to external providers that redirect).

Where TiloPay fits: TiloPay markets "pagos sin redirección" for Shopify in Central America & the Caribbean—i.e., a direct, in-checkout card integration. That's not the same thing as "Shopify Payments," but it does avoid the hosted page hop.

Why redirects exist (and why they're fine)

  • Security & compliance: Offloading card entry to a gateway's hosted page keeps card data away from your theme/app stack. Shopify's payments platform is built to support this pattern.
  • Regional availability: In many Caribbean markets, third-party gateways fill the gap where Shopify Payments isn't offered. Offsite is the default model there.

Pros & cons at a glance

Offsite (redirect)

  • ✅ Lower PCI scope; easy to add multiple methods
  • ✅ Works in markets without Shopify Payments
  • ⚠️ UX "jump" can surprise first-time buyers
  • ⚠️ Some themes/apps can slow the handoff if checkout is heavy

Direct (no redirect)

  • ✅ Smoother experience; fewer moving parts in the handoff
  • ✅ Can support auth/capture and refunds from inside Shopify
  • ⚠️ Availability depends on your region/provider
  • ⚠️ You end up paying more "third-party" fees to Shopify

Making offsite checkout convert like a champ

1) Keep the hop fast

Trim heavy checkout apps, pop-ups, and unnecessary scripts. The faster the redirect, the fewer abandonments.

2) Match currencies

With third-party gateways, Shopify charges in your store currency. If you want USD checkout, set your store currency to USD; otherwise pick TTD/JMD/BBD, etc.

3) Test the full loop

Run a test order, confirm the paid status lands in Shopify, and that callbacks/webhooks are configured per your provider's docs.

When to consider a direct (no-redirect) provider

  • You sell to audiences that are skittish about redirects.
  • You want auth then capture flows and one-click refunds from inside Shopify Admin.
  • You operate where a direct provider is officially supported—for example, TiloPay's in-checkout card processing for Central America & the Caribbean.

Clarity check: A direct third-party provider integrates with Shopify checkout, not through Shopify Payments. "Direct" ≠ "Shopify Payments." Shopify's own card processor (Shopify Payments) is separate and only available in certain countries.

Quick decision guide

  • Need the broadest regional coverage + vouchers/local alt methods? Offsite providers (e.g., WiPay) are often the fastest path.
  • Want the smoothest card UX and you're in a supported market? Evaluate a direct provider like TiloPay. Confirm availability and fees first.

Sources

Using WiPay for Caribbean payments? Install the WiFy Plugin to accept offsite payments with confidence and get your store live in minutes.

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