How to solve utility bill management issues for customers?

[Perez54]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been facing a bit of a challenge with my eCommerce store in Pakistan. Some of my customers have been asking for an easy way to check or manage their electricity bills while browsing my store. I think it could be a good value-add, but I'm not sure how to handle it or if it's even feasible.

Has anyone dealt with something similar? How did you manage to offer extra services like this without overwhelming the site’s primary functionality? Are there any apps or workflows that can help with this kind of thing?

Appreciate any suggestions or advice!

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Perez54 

It sounds like you're looking for a way to integrate a utility bill-checking feature into your Shopify store in Pakistan without disrupting your store’s primary eCommerce functionality. This is a great idea because it adds extra convenience for customers, which can enhance engagement and keep them on your site longer.

Possible Solutions for Utility Bill Management on Shopify

1. Embedding a Utility Bill Checker on Your Shopify Store

One of the simplest ways to offer this feature is by embedding a bill-checking tool directly into your store. Since your customers are asking for electricity bill checks, you can integrate an iframe or a widget that links to a relevant service like FESCO Bill without affecting your store’s main functionality.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Check if FESCO Bill or any other utility provider offers an embeddable widget.
• If they provide an iframe or embed code, simply add it to a separate page on your store (e.g., yourstore.com/pages/check-bills).

To embed an iframe, go to Online Store > Pages, create a new page, and insert this type of code in the HTML section:

<iframe src="https://fesco-bill.pk/" width="100%" height="600px" style="border:none;"></iframe>

•  
• Add a clear navigation link on your homepage or in your footer menu to make it easy for users to access.

2. Using Shopify Apps to Provide a Service Portal

There might not be a dedicated Shopify app for checking utility bills, but you can use a custom form app like:

• Globo Form Builder
• Hulk Form Builder
• Shopify Contact Form Builder

These apps allow you to create a form where customers can input their reference numbers and get redirected to a bill-checking site or receive a response via email.

3. Custom App or API Integration

If you want a more seamless experience, consider integrating an API from a utility provider. Some electricity companies provide APIs where customers can check bills by entering their consumer number. You’ll need a Shopify developer to:

• Fetch bill details from the utility provider.
• Display results within your Shopify store without redirecting users.

4. Redirecting Users with a Simple CTA Button

If embedding or API integration is not feasible, another simple way is to add a button on your homepage or checkout page that directs users to a trusted bill-checking site like FESCO Bill.

Example:

• Button Text: “Check Your Electricity Bill Now”
• Redirect URL: https://fesco-bill.pk/
• This keeps your site clean while still offering the service.

How to Keep Your Store’s Main Functionality Unaffected

• Keep the feature separate: Create a dedicated page instead of adding it to the main shopping experience.
• Test site speed: Embeds and APIs should be lightweight to avoid slowing down your store.
• Make navigation easy: Place the feature in the footer, menu, or an unobtrusive banner, so it's available but not in the way.

Final Thoughts

I think this could be a smart value-added feature for your store, but it’s important to keep it separate from your primary eCommerce flow. If you’re not comfortable with technical integrations, a simple CTA button or embedded widget should work just fine.

Let me know if you need help with any specific steps!
Best regards,
Daisy