Planning Considerations

Integration Scope and Architecture

To ensure a successful integration with Affirm, you must align your approach with your business model, technical architecture, and customer experience objectives. Use the following considerations to guide your planning process before development begins.

Platform Type

Your responsibilities will vary based on whether you’re a Cart Provider, Payment Processor, or another integration partner. Some features (e.g., front-end UI or back-end transaction management) may be optional depending on your role.

Optional Components

Confirm which components (such as Promotional Messaging or charge management) apply to your use case.

Admin Console

Plan to configure key Affirm settings in your admin dashboard, including:

Sandbox vs. Production Mode.
Authorization flow (Auth Only vs. Auth + Capture).
Checkout flow (Redirect vs. Modal).

Front-End Experience

The front-end experience shapes how customers interact with Affirm on your site. This includes promotional messaging placement, checkout presentation, and JavaScript implementation- all of which influence engagement and conversion.

Promotional Messaging

Determine where you want to display Affirm’s “As low as” monthly payment messaging. Plan to:

Implement Affirm JavaScript (AFJS) on product, cart, and checkout pages.
Update messaging dynamically to reflect price or variant changes.
Choose messaging style and color via the admin console.

Checkout Initiation

Incorporate Affirm as a payment method using a radio button or dropdown menu, supported by the required JS snippet to power the Affirm checkout.

Back-End Readiness

A reliable back-end integration ensures seamless transaction processing with Affirm. This includes setting up APIs to handle authorization, capture, refunds, and other key payment actions within your existing order management systems.

Transaction Management

Prepare to support the full lifecycle of a transaction:

Authorize and create orders.
Capture payments.
Issue refunds or voids.
Update transactions when necessary.

System Integration

Affirm APIs will need to integrate into your existing order management or payment system to ensure smooth handling of each transaction.

Testing and Go-Live Requirements

Before launching your Affirm integration, thorough testing is essential to ensure functionality and compliance. This phase includes validating core flows in both sandbox and production environments and coordinating with Affirm for final approval.

Acceptance Testing

Before going live, Affirm will verify your integration in sandbox and production environments. You’ll need to test:

Checkout flow.
Auth + capture.
Refund and void functionality.

Team Coordination

Involve technical stakeholders and your Affirm partner team early to avoid last-minute surprises.

Next Steps

Once you’ve reviewed the above, we recommend:

Connecting with your Affirm Account Manager to confirm your integration responsibilities.
Reviewing Affirm’s Direct API or Promotional Messaging guides.
Identifying internal teams responsible for implementation, testing, and long-term maintenance.