Is there a way to postpone the signup process in the Webflow ecommerce checkout, so that users can purchase a product/access first and then receive an email invitation to create their account? If not, can this be achieved by using a manually added Stripe checkout integrated with Zapier and the Webflow API?
TL;DR
- Replace Webflow's native checkout with a Stripe Checkout link on a custom “Buy Now” button to allow purchases without upfront signup.
- Use Zapier to trigger post-payment actions like creating CMS entries via the Webflow API and inviting customers to sign up later using tools like Memberstack or custom email links.
Webflow Ecommerce requires account creation before checkout, so you cannot postpone signup using the native Webflow checkout. However, you can achieve this using Stripe Checkout, Zapier, and the Webflow API.
1. Why Webflow Checkout Requires Signup
- Webflow’s Ecommerce workflow is designed to collect customer details before purchase.
- Logged-in user accounts are used to manage orders and customer dashboards.
- There is no official way to delay signup in the native checkout flow.
2. Alternative: Use Stripe Checkout + Zapier
To bypass Webflow's account requirement and allow purchases without upfront signup:
- Host a static product page on Webflow, replacing “Add to Cart” and “Checkout” with a custom “Buy Now” button that links to Stripe Checkout.
- Use Stripe Checkout to collect payment and essential customer info like name and email.
- Set up Zapier to trigger when a Stripe payment succeeds.
- In Zapier, use the “Webflow - Create Live Item” or Webflow API to:
- Create CMS entries if needed (e.g., to grant access).
- Optionally, invite the customer to sign up via a tool like Memberstack or Firebase Auth.
- Alternatively, the Zap can send a custom email invitation linking to a gated area where they can create an account or access their product.
3. Limitations and Requirements
- You’ll need:
- A Stripe account with Checkout enabled.
- Webflow CMS or custom Webflow pages integrated with external membership tools (like Memberstack, Outseta, or Firebase).
- Zapier or custom serverless functions if Zapier doesn’t cover your exact workflow.
- This method works best for one-time purchases or digital product delivery where post-purchase onboarding is needed.
Summary
Webflow’s native checkout requires upfront signup, but you can bypass this by using Stripe Checkout + Zapier + Webflow API to let users purchase first and invite them to sign up afterward. This approach gives you much more control over the post-purchase flow.