12 Ways to Improve Your eCommerce Checkout Process
The checkout process is one of the most crucial steps during online shopping. It has been observed that a smooth and secure eCommerce checkout process encourages greater sales. Statistics reveal that around 17% of shoppers feel discouraged to continue shopping because of the complicated checkout process. If you are noticing an increase in the cart abandonment rate then one of the most possible reasons for it may be a complex checkout process. To lower this percentage and increase your conversion rate, we have shared a list of 12 effective methods to optimise your eCommerce checkout process. As you go through this article, you shall also learn about the importance of optimising your checkout process and how Shiprocket Checkout can streamline it.
The Importance of Optimising Your Checkout Process
One of the major issues eCommerce stores face is cart abandonment. While many reasons contribute to this issue, one of the main reasons is the tedious and complicated checkout process. Buyers choose online shopping because it is fast and convenient. They do not prefer shopping on platforms that require filling in lengthy details while checking out. With so many options around, they can easily switch to another portal to continue shopping, thereby abandoning your cart. Investing in an excellent online checkout process can prevent this issue and contribute towards increasing your revenue. A simple eCommerce checkout process also encourages repeat purchases.
12 Best Practices for an Efficient Checkout Process
Here are some effective techniques to improve the efficiency of your eCommerce checkout process:
- Offer Multiple Payment Options
A shopper is more likely to buy products from your portal if he gets his preferred payment method. As different shoppers use different payment modes, it is suggested to include all possible options, including credit cards, debit cards, net banking, cash on delivery and digital wallets. According to a recent report, 9% of shoppers abandon their carts because they do not get their preferred payment methods. By offering different payment modes, you can improve your conversion rate.
- Choose Shipping Options Carefully
As your shopper moves closer towards completing the checkout process, he shouldn’t be put off by your shipping terms. You must provide affordable and fast shipping options to encourage your customers to buy your products. Studies show that a large number of shoppers abandon their carts because of high shipping costs. On the other hand, free shipping encourages sales. As an eCommerce seller, you must try to keep the shipping cost minimal and provide free shipping wherever possible. For instance, you can offer free shipping if a customer makes purchases worth a certain amount. This is an effective strategy that pushes the customers to buy more.
- Provide One-Click Checkout
One-click checkout simplifies the checkout process and is known to increase the conversion rate. It has been noticed that a large number of shoppers abandon their carts because of lengthy eCommerce checkout process that involves multiple steps. By adopting a one-click checkout, you can quicken the task and boost your conversion rate.
- Use Psychological Triggers to Prompt Sales
Using psychological triggers is an effective way to persuade shoppers to complete the checkout process and make the purchase. You can use these triggers to create a feeling of urgency or scarcity so that the shopper is prompted to make the purchase immediately. Giving social proof also helps in this direction. Studies reveal that consumers are more likely to complete the checkout process when they feel a sense of urgency. Some of the phrases that can create such feelings are:
- Only two left in stock!
- Limited stock is available—order before it’s gone!
- Hurry! Only a few hours left to claim your discount.
- Join thousands of happy customers who love this product!
- Get a gift with your first purchase!
- Don’t miss out on this exclusive deal!
- Keep it Short
It has been noticed that a long and complicated eCommerce checkout process often leads to cart abandonment as it disrupts the flow of shopping. Multiple steps during checkout may seem confusing to some while others may leave due to time constraint. In order to avoid this, you must reduce the form fields. It is also a good idea to enable auto-filling of buyer’s information.
- Invest in a Mobile-Friendly Design
More and more consumers are using mobile devices to browse eCommerce portals and make purchases. Thus, it is imperative to invest in a mobile friendly design to ensure a smooth shopping experience and increase the chances of sales. Many businesses seem to overlook its importance because of which the average cart abandonment rate for mobile devices is reportedly 86%. As per a recent Forbes report, it is the highest across devices with the average abandonment rate of desktop and tablet being 73% and 81% respectively.
- A/B Tests and Optimisation
Running A/B tests help businesses refine their checkout process. They enable comparing different designs or features to see which one performs better. It has been noticed that businesses using A/B testing have a better conversion rates.
- Provide Live Chat Support
Your customers are likely to get stuck or confused during the eCommerce checkout process and may require expert assistance at that time. By providing live chat support during checkout you can offer immediate assistance. Quick response to issues helps reduce cart abandonment. This real-time interaction also improves customer satisfaction and builds trust.
- Show Checkout Progress
By displaying a clear checkout progress bar you can instil a sense of control among your customers. You can show different steps like shipping, payment and order confirmation to help them understand how much longer the process will take. It ensures transparency as they get a clear idea about where they have reached. Thus it reduces their chances of abandoning the cart due to ambiguity.
- Give Assurance About the Secure Payment Gateway
Assuring customers that their payments are processed securely is crucial for any eCommerce platform. It is recommended to display badges or logos from trusted payment processors. Showing SSL certifications and security seals further instils confidence that their financial details are in safe hands. It has been observed that shoppers are more likely to complete purchases when they feel their information is safe. Reports suggest that 17% of customers abandon their carts because they do not trust the eCommerce portal with their credit card details.
- Ensure Page Load Speed
Fast page load speed is undoubtedly essential for a smooth checkout process. Slow loading times cause irritation and often lead to abandoned carts. It also creates a doubt about the brand’s product/service quality. On the other hand, a smooth and swift experience enhances customer satisfaction and encourages them to complete their purchase without any second thoughts.
- Provide Checkout Loyalty Points
Loyalty points at checkout can prompt the shoppers to complete the process and also encourage repeat purchase. It has been observed that it helps reduce cart abandonment. Many businesses that have integrated this feature into the checkout process have witnessed better conversion rate.
Streamline Shopping with One-Click Shiprocket Checkout: Effortless Integration and Enhanced Customer Experience
You can simplify your customers’ shopping experience with One-Click Shiprocket Checkout. It seamlessly integrates with your platform and offers a smooth buying experience. It does not require the customers to go through multiple steps and enter data repeatedly at the time of checking out. This quickens the eCommerce checkout process and lowers the chances of cart abandonment. It enhances the overall customer experience and contributes towards building a loyal base.
Conclusion
If you are witnessing a dip in your conversion rate and an increase in cart abandonment rates, then it may be due to a complex checkout process. By optimising eCommerce checkout process, you can enhance customer experience and encourage them to make purchases. Some of the ways to do this include offering multiple payment options, live customer support, one-click checkout process, introducing loyalty rewards and showing checkout progress. It is also recommended to conduct regular A/B tests to know what works for your buyers.
