Checkout Overview

Overview

The Affirm Checkout Process begins when a customer selects Affirm as their payment method at checkout. This streamlined flow offers a flexible pay-over-time solution that benefits merchants by increasing conversions, improving customer satisfaction, and reducing friction at the point of purchase. The process adapts to both new and returning users and is available in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

Visual aids, such as modals and confirmation screens, guide users through each step. The merchant experience is designed to be straightforward to integrate while offering customers clarity and transparency in their financing options.

The Customer Experience

The checkout process typically consists of three steps for returning customers and four for new ones who need to create an account. The following tabs detail the user journey for each of these steps for customer in the United States (US) and Canada (CA).

Step 1: Customer Initiates Checkout

Customer starts checkout on the merchant site.
Customer selects Affirm as the payment method.
Affirm redirects customer to an Affirm-hosted modal or pop-up.
Customer enters their phone number to receive a secure 6-digit pin for sign-in or account creation.

Step 2: Customer Creates Account (for new users)

Customer inputs personal information:
1. First and last nam
2. Phone number
3. Email address
Customer inputs loan eligibility details. (The details vary by region.)
Customer receives confirmation screen.

Step 3: Customer Reviews Loan Terms

Affirm presents customer with loan terms.
Customer selects preferred payment plan.
Customer confirms selection and completes the transaction.

Step 4: Order Confirmation

Affirm displays a confirmation screen summarizing the purchase.
Customer receives final confirmation in an email from Affirm.

The Merchant Experience

From a merchant's perspective, the Affirm Checkout Process is designed for ease of use and smooth integration. The flow involves embedding Affirm into the merchant’s existing checkout page, either through a modal or redirect. All sensitive customer data is handled on Affirm’s end, minimizing PCI compliance burdens and providing a secure, seamless process.

The modular flow enables merchants to configure Affirm for their specific platform with minimal impact on existing workflows, while supporting multiple markets through a single integration.