The online world is full of security threats—login credential theft, phishing, stolen identities, fake accounts, and bots—the number of threats keeps increasing.
The more we move everything online—from watching movies to shopping on eCommerce sites—the more a need for security and protection solutions.
When it comes to eCommerce stores, it’s critical for brands to implement multi-level safety measures because merely having a password protected login process is not sufficient anymore.
And that’s what brings us to OTP – One-Time Password.
In this blog, we take a look at Shopify OTP login, why you must implement it on your Shopify store, its benefits, and how to go about it.
What is Shopify OTP login?
OTP is One Time Password. It is a randomly generated set of numbers. OTP is used to authenticate logins and transactions. IT provides a security layer when logging in a website.
OTPs are a key factor in two-factor authentication processes. OTP is especially extremely helpful in situations where login credentials are easy targets of theft.
Usually, OTP is valid for only one login session. Moreover, most OTPs are valid for a specific duration only, for example, a few seconds or minutes.
OTPs are a set of numbers or code, typically between four to eight digits. At times, OTPs are longer and a mix of numbers, alphabets, and special characters.
OTPs are used during two-step authentication as well as regular one-step logins. OTP is also known as One-time PIN, One-Time Authorization Code (OTAC) or One-Time Passcode.
How does OTP work on Shopify stores?
When customers try to log in to your Shopify customer account page, your OTP generator and authentication server get working.
First, the OTP generator provides a unique code created via algorithm. This code is shared with customers. It can be shared via different channels, such as email, SMS, WhatsApp, push notification, etc.
When customers feed in this code in the form provided on your Shopify customer account login page, the authentication server verifies the code. If the customer has fed a wrong code, they won’t be able to login.
Why is OTP login important?
Ecommerce fraud has been increasing year after year—from a loss of 17.5 billion USD in 2020 to 48 billion USD in 2023.
While eCommerce fraud takes place in many different ways, many frauds are related to the login process. For instance, hackers steal login details to shop from the stolen account or to extract card and personal details of customers. Moreover, when customer accounts have weak passwords, it’s easy for hackers to guess and steal passwords.
Here are some shocking eCommerce fraud stats:
- 3 in 10 customers have been victim to data breaches due to weak passwords
- 44% of internet users never change their passwords
- 83% of breaches in 2023, were financially motivated and 49% involved credential theft
- In 2023, the US saw a 72% increase in identity theft from 2021
This increase in fraudulent activities has forced eCommerce retailers to set up fraud protection systems within their arsenal of tools. On average, eCommerce companies use five fraud protection tools.
That’s where OTPs come in!
These days, OTPs have become a common feature, whether you’re on an eCommerce website or app. OTPs for logging in into the customer account, for signing up, for making online payments, as well as for receiving parcel deliveries.
Let’s get into understanding how important OTPs are by knowing its many benefits.
Benefits of OTP login on the Shopify customer account page
If you’re a Shopify merchant running an online business, you must understand all the benefits of implementing Shopify OTP verification on your site. Not only will it give you a better understanding, it will also help you make your customers and stakeholders more aware about the importance of OTP in the login process.
1. Increased security
In 2023, eCommerce merchants lost 48 billion USD to online fraud. One of the most basic benefits of OTP is it adds a layer of security to the password. Once customers enter their login ids and passwords, they receive a one-time code on their mobile phones or via email. Their login is successful only when they enter the OTP within a specified time. Implementing OTPs enhances security for eCommerce merchants.
2. Regulatory compliance
Depending on the country or region of your eCommerce business, you may have to follow specific security compliance rules. For instance, industries such as banking, insurance, etc. that involve sensitive customer data, have regulatory compliance requirements. Implementing Shopify OTP login may be a regulatory compliance in many regions. It not only enhances your eCommerce store security, but also ensures you adhere to the compliance rules.
3. Phishing protection
30% of breaches occur due to weak passwords. But when there’s a layer of OTP protection, even weak passwords don’t matter. OTPs are difficult to guess for hackers. Moreover, because they are sent to the customers’ email or phone, it makes hacking difficult. This way, OTPs protect from phishing attacks. Additionally, OTPs are temporary and expire within a few minutes, ensuring stronger security.
Also read: How To Help Your Customers Protect Their Shopify Customer Accounts
4. Easy implementation
Implementing Shopify OTP login security is easy for eCommerce businesses. It is also easy for customers to use OTPs. All they have to do is enter the unique code when logging into the Shopify customer account page. This streamlines customers’ login process and enhances satisfaction levels.
5. Improved customer satisfaction
For customers, the security of their personal data is the most important factor when transacting online. Customer trust once broken is hard to repair. For instance, if a customer’s Shopify customer account page password is hacked on your site, they may never want to transact with you again. This is where implementing Shopify OTP login helps strengthen customer trust and satisfaction.
6. Improved brand reputation
Customers prefer to purchase from stores that they know care about their security and data protection. Having security measures such as Shopify OTP login, two-factor authentication, etc., enhances your brand reputation.
7. Difficult to guess
Unlike traditional passwords, OTPs are difficult to guess. For instance, most people have simple and easy passwords for eCommerce stores so that it’s easy for them to remember. Example, john12345 or name followed by date of birth. For hackers, these are easy to guess. But not OTPs. OTPs are generated instantly via algorithms and shared only with customers.
Shopify OTP login best practices
- Add OTP to your Shopify customer account page login from the start so that your data is protected
- Ensure you install apps and tools that have internal security features
- Ensure your tools follow regulatory compliance
- Update your tools and apps as soon as there is an upgrade. Outdated tools are more vulnerable to cyber attacks
- Implement 2-factor authentication on your Shopify customer account page
- Choose an efficient customer account page app
How to add OTP to Shopify customer account page?
As we discussed, implementing Shopify OTP verification has many benefits and it is something you must definitely include in your Shopify login process. However, your first step should be to create a comprehensive Shopify customer account page for your website.
The customer account page holds all the important information for customers as well as Shopify merchants. For example, the customer account stores customers’ personal details such as name, address, and contact details. It also stores payment details, such as credit cards, bank, etc.
Additionally, your Shopify customer account page is also a place you can include all your engagement and marketing features, for instance, wishlist, recently viewed products, etc.
However, you’ll need to find an efficient Shopify customer account page app. And we’ve made this task easy for you.
Meet Flits Customer Account Page App—a comprehensive app with in-built safety measures, marketing features such as wishlist and recently viewed products, in addition to capabilities that ensure a seamless shopping experience for customers.
Install Flits Customer Account Page App on your Shopify store today!
