Cart abandonment is more than just a nuisance to e-commerce retailers. It’s a practical nightmare! Having online shoppers abandon their carts is the equivalent of having in-store shoppers just leave their full carts at the checkout without paying for a single item. That doesn’t really happen though, does it? So why does it happen online so often?
As an e-commerce retailer, there are number of things you can do to encourage customers to follow through on their e-commerce purchases. Let’s discuss!
Be clear about the shipping costs.
Arguably, the number one thing online shoppers hate is surprise charges at the end of the checkout process. It’s important that you’re clear about your shipping fees before the checkout process begins. On Forbes.com, Gary Nealon reports that 60 percent of American shoppers have abandoned their carts because of extra costs that were just too high.
“For many shoppers, getting to the end of the purchasing journey, only to find hefty shipping charges looming, is enough for them to close the page,” he writes, “If you can afford to offer free shipping, you’ll want to consider doing so. If year-round free shipping isn’t feasible, consider running regular promotions where you make it available.”
Display clear calls to action.
Sometimes, a little nudging goes a long way. Keep in mind that not every online shopper is an expert in the field. Some may actually be hesitant in clicking that “buy now” button for fear of the unknown. How does this whole online shopping thing actually work? Is it safe? These are some the questions they may be asking themselves. Put fears to rest and answer those questions by presenting clear steps towards finishing their purchases.
“Firstly, make it clear that they’ve successfully added the items to their cart,” advises Graham Charlton on SaleCycle.com, “For example, Reebok displays this message which clearly confirms the products added, and offers next steps for the shopper. The option to head straight to checkout is a useful shortcut too. This is then followed up with a clear call to action (CTA) on the shopping cart page, which offer two checkout options, and are the most prominent links on the page.”
Make the checkout process quick and simple.
The more steps you put your online shoppers through, the less likely they will be to complete those steps. Nealon reveals that a Statista survey found that 21 percent of online shoppers claim they have abandoned their shopping carts because the checkout process was too long or daunting.
“For e-commerce stores, implementing steps such as one-step checkout, or at least drastically simplifying the process can help to lower your abandoned cart rates and keep people from abandoning ship,” he writes, “If practical, you may also want to consider implementing a quick-order system that allows people to register their payment method for next time.”
Is your company in need of a safe and secure e-commerce solution? Unity Payments can help you take advantage of this ever-growing trend. We’ve made selling online easier than ever! Please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca to learn more.
