# Necessary Checkout Fields

> Ask only for information needed to process and deliver the order, and label each field clearly. Mark optional fields as optional and retain what the shopper entered if something goes wrong.

- Type: Merchant guide
- Level: Intermediate
- Reading time: About 4 minutes
- Audience: Written for store owners, builders, and designers refining high-performance ecommerce stores.
- Last updated: 2026-11-04
- Canonical page: https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/necessary-checkout-fields/
- Part of: [Merchant Questions](https://academy.getzenbasket.com/merchant-questions/) on ZenBasket Academy

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## What you need to know

### Which details are required?

For a shipped order, contact route, delivery name and address, and payment details handled by the payment provider are typically required. Confirm each field's business purpose before making it required.

### How should labels work?

Put persistent labels next to fields; a placeholder that disappears when typing is a poor substitute. "Apartment or unit (optional)" tells a customer both what belongs there and whether it is required.

### Should billing and shipping be separate?

Begin with "Billing address same as shipping" where appropriate and let shoppers enter a different billing address if needed. Store or autofill data only in line with applicable privacy requirements and the store's practices.

### A quick store check

Complete checkout while leaving optional fields empty. Verify required labels, error messages and the information stored with the order all appear as expected.

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## Frequently asked questions

### Does fewer fields always win?

Remove unnecessary work, but keep fields required to deliver, contact or meet the applicable transaction rules.

### Where do I change checkout fields?

Use current registration settings guide to set checkout settings and confirm each required field has a documented business purpose.

## Related articles

- **Address Entry and Validation**
- **Checkout Form Errors**
- [ZenBasket Build Guide](https://help.getzenbasket.com/zenbasket-builder/)