Adding Custom Checkout Fields in BigCommerce: A Real-World Guide
May 5, 2026
By: Tiffany Hindman
Summary: So, you want to add a custom field to your BigCommerce checkout? Whether it's a purchase order number, delivery instructions, or a secret handshake, we've got you covered. Let's walk through how to actually do it—with zero fluff.
Why Add Custom Fields to Checkout?
The default BigCommerce checkout asks for the basics: name, address, payment info. But sometimes you need a little extra from customers. Here's when a custom checkout field comes in handy:
- PO Numbers (B2B) – If you sell B2B, your customers may need to enter a Purchase Order number at checkout.
- Delivery Instructions – A custom text area for special delivery requests can save headaches later.
- Gift Messages & Special Requests – Let buyers add a gift note or custom request right in the order.
BigCommerce's Built-In Solution (No Coding Required)
They hide under Settings > Account Sign-Up Form, specifically in the Address Fields tab. These "Address Form Fields" are the ones that show up on the checkout page for both billing and shipping addresses.
You don't need to rebuild your entire checkout for basic extra fields. Just use the admin UI—let's do that step by step.
How to Add a Custom Checkout Field (Step-by-Step)
1. Find the Right Settings Page
- Open your BigCommerce control panel and navigate to Settings
- Click "Account Sign-Up Form"
- Switch to the "Address Fields" tab—that's where checkout fields are managed
- You'll see the existing standard address fields (Name, Address 1, City, etc.) which are the fields BigCommerce uses at checkout
2. Add a New Address Field
- Look for a "Create a New Field" button or dropdown and click it
- Pick the type of field you want — BigCommerce offers:
- Text fields
- Dropdowns
- Checkboxes
- Date selectors
- Multi-line text areas
- For a PO Number, choose:
- Text Field
- Numbers Only
- For delivery instructions or gift messages, a "Multiline Text Field" is ideal
3. Configure Field Details
BigCommerce will prompt you to set up the field's details:
- Field Name (Label): What the customer sees on the checkout form (e.g. "Purchase Order Number"). Keep it short and clear.
- Default Value (optional): Pre-fill the field with a default suggestion or example text. If left blank, the field is empty by default.
- Required or Optional: Decide if the field must be filled (like a required PO number for wholesale customers) or is optional (like a gift message).
Note: Some older themes had "Advanced Settings" for placement or styling, but on modern BigCommerce Stencil themes these options aren't available out of the box. Your new field will just show up alongside the other address fields. More on placement in Gotchas below.
4. Save & Test
- Hit Save to add the field
- Go to your storefront's checkout page to verify your new custom field is visible and functioning
- Fill it out and place a test order
- Check your BigCommerce Orders in the admin to confirm the custom field value appears in the order details
Pro Tip: If you have separate billing and shipping steps, the new field will appear in both sections since BigCommerce uses the same set of address fields for both. If the customer's billing and shipping address match, they'll fill it once. If they use different addresses, they'll see it for each.
What Happens to the Collected Data?
When a customer fills out your custom checkout field and submits the order, that information is stored with the order record. You can view it in the BigCommerce control panel on the order details page under "Additional Details" or alongside the rest of the address info.
For developers or those integrating with other systems: the custom field data is included in BigCommerce's Orders API, appearing in the order's JSON as part of form_fields for the address. That means you can export it, sync it to an ERP or CRM, or include it in your emails—it's fully captured like any other order detail.
Gotchas, Limitations & Other Things to Know
Before you start adding 37 new fields for every little thing, here are some important caveats and tips:
No Conditional Logic
BigCommerce's built-in checkout fields are all or nothing. You can't natively show or hide a field based on other selections. If you need dynamic behavior, you'll need custom code.
Unified Address Fields
Custom address fields appear in both billing and shipping sections. If a customer uses separate addresses, they'll see the field twice—plan your labels accordingly.
Placement is Fixed
You can't place a custom field anywhere on the checkout page through the admin. If you need it in a specific location, you'll need a customized checkout template or script.
All Plans Supported
Adding custom checkout fields via the admin UI is available on all BigCommerce plans. Advanced B2B features require BigCommerce B2B Edition or custom dev, but basic extra fields are free game.
Don't Overload the Checkout
Every extra field is extra friction for your customer. Add only what truly adds value—like delivery instructions or a PO number. A 10-question survey at checkout? Hard pass.
Test on Your Theme
After adding a field, verify how it looks on your live checkout. Each theme can vary slightly and you may need to adjust CSS if the label is too long or styling needs tweaking.
Got Existing Accounts?
A new account sign-up field may not show for guest checkouts—only for account creation or saved addresses. For checkout-specific info, always use the Address Fields section.
When You Need Code (Advanced Customization)
Sometimes the built-in features aren't enough. Here are the most common scenarios that require custom development:
If you want a field to appear only when a customer selects a certain option (like a "Yes, this is a gift" toggle revealing a gift message box), you'll need to add custom JavaScript or use BigCommerce's Checkout SDK or custom checkout. The native UI won't handle that logic for you.
Want to put a field in a totally different spot or do calculations with its input? That may require a custom checkout template or an app that extends checkout. BigCommerce's checkout page is somewhat locked down for PCI compliance, so advanced changes often involve:
- Building a separate checkout page using the Checkout SDK (developer-heavy)
- Injecting scripts via Checkout Scripts (available on Pro and above plans)
If you run a serious B2B operation and need full Purchase Order processing at checkout (with PO approvals, terms, etc.), consider BigCommerce B2B Edition. It includes a native PO Number field tied to the "Purchase Order" payment method.
A plain custom field can capture a PO number, but it won't stop the checkout or do anything special beyond storing that text. To enforce logic like "if PO provided, skip online payment," you'd need custom scripting or an app.
In short: For anything beyond adding a static field, you'll likely involve developers or BigCommerce partners to extend the checkout. The built-in method covers simple needs nicely; complex needs might require coding.
See How Strabo Can Help ➝
Wrapping Up
Custom checkout fields are a handy built-in BigCommerce feature—you can add them quickly via the control panel to gather extra information at checkout without reinventing the wheel. Just remember the limitations (no conditional logic, fixed placement in the address form, appears in both billing/shipping) and keep the checkout experience as smooth as possible for your customers.
By thoughtfully using these fields, you can improve order accuracy, support your internal workflows, and make life easier for both your shoppers and your team. And since the data is stored with each order and accessible via BigCommerce's API, you can funnel it into your back-end systems or reports.
Pro tip: If you're integrating BigCommerce with a system like Microsoft Dynamics 365, make sure your custom field data is mapped and syncing automatically—saving you a ton of manual data entry.
Need Help Taking It Further?
Whether you need a simple custom field or a fully integrated BigCommerce and ERP solution, Strabo Partners can help. We specialize in connecting BigCommerce with Microsoft Dynamics 365 to keep your order data, inventory, and customer information flowing automatically—no manual entry required.