Ability to add custom mandatory fields in checkout

[darklord]

In my online only store for software services, I need some specific details about the clients for serving them (such as user id of some other platform). Even though I have mentioned everywhere to provide those details, people often forget causing delay in services provided. Just wondering if it is possible to add mandatory custom field on checkout screen so that customers cannot purchase without providing those details.

[Arie · Accepted solution]

Hey @darklord,

Mandatory text modifiers can help here! To get started:

1. Sign in to your Square Online Dashboard > Items > Site items > Select an item.

2. Head to modifiers and click the Create New button on the Manage modifiers page and select the text box option.

3. Check the box next to "Make this a required field".

4. Save once you're done. 

Please let us know how you go! 

[darklord]

Great. Thanks for that. Let me try to incorporate that.

[BalmoralPnC]

Hi there,

We have a busy school canteen and wondered can we save customer details for online orders?  In particular, can we input an additional field such as "Class" so that we can sort the orders efficiently ?  At a primary school we needs to put them in class buckets quickly.  Is this something that can be added to the online ordering and printed out on the receipts?

Thanks

[Arie]

Hi @BalmoralPnC,

You could add a mandatory text modifier to your items, so parents can add their children's class to the order. I've merged your question to this thread, where we answered this question. Please let us know how you go!

[Hedgeddown]

We use a single QR code and rename tables to classes so that parents enter their class (table) when placing orders. Unfortunately square online still needs to have a mandatory order name field or even make the note field a custom field (and mandatory option) because modifiers don’t work for recording names and we’ve found training people to use the note field to record the students name doesn’t work because it’s always an afterthought in practice.

[Laurie_]

Hi there, @Hedgeddown,

This is a tricky one considering you're already using a manual workaround as a way of accepting class bookings. Can you help me to understand this workaround? When your customers select a class (table), how do they then proceed with their order? Are they selecting an item to add to the order after this step? 

The reason I ask is that text-based modifiers need to be applied to items directly in order to appear in the order flow.

 
As an alternative, if class bookings are the primary service your business offers, it'd be worthwhile looking into Class Booking with Square Appointments.  This feature is currently offered to Sellers subscribed to the Square Appointments Plus or Premium plans.

I'll keep a lookout for your reply in the meantime.

[Hedgeddown]

1. Parent/guardian scans QR Code from a printed menu their child has taken home.

2. They type and select the class (table) their child is in.

3. They add one or more items to the basket, and use modifiers to select which break(s) the child will get their items in (and any other item modifications)

4. We included a modified set of Squareup QR Code instructions on the back of the menu which asks them to add their child's name to the note field when placing the order, but most don't 

5. They repeat the steps for any additional children.

6. If they haven't included the name we work it out by trying to contact the customer and/or checking with the teacher who the parent/guardian's child is - and add a note against the customer for future orders

In theory we could use modifiers but I don't want to be asking them to enter their child's name for every item they order, when really it's only required to link a child to the customer once.

[Laurie_]

Thanks for including these steps for more context, @Hedgeddown!

Firstly, great job on putting together such a creative workaround! I've not personally seen QR Codes used in this way, so I was curious to learn how this was working for you.

I do see where you're coming from now though and unfortunately, I'm not able to suggest a solution for this problem given modifiers are associated with items specifically and not an entire order. However, I've passed your feedback on to our Product Team for consideration.

In the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out to us with any other questions that may come up.

[Hedgeddown]

We are trialling it as an alternative to implementing a dedicated full canteen solution (which are more expensive and require dedicated apps). In the limited rollout customers are placing regular repeat orders and it has resulted in additional overall orders. The one problem left to solve for 2024 is the child to customer matching. Using your suggestion we think it might be possible to offer parents a ‘first online order’ item that is free but has the custom mandatory text field from which we can collect the child’s name.

[darklord]

Hi @Arie 

This worked great for regular items. Now, I need to introduce a subscription into website which can collect recurring payments. I created a plan and then generated html code to embed that in the website. But, there is no option to add modifiers to the plans.

Wonder if you know of any workarounds for that?

Regards,

Sudh

[Arie]

At this time, subscription links don't have an option for custom mandatory fields, @darklord. I definitely see how this would be a useful field to add to your Subscriptions, and will pass this suggestion on to the team.