7 Ways to Reduce Shopping Cart Abandonment
The future of companies lies in creating a strong brand identity in the online world. In recent years, e-commerce and the rise of digital-native shops have become unstoppable. This broad demand drives companies to compete fiercely to establish their positions in various markets. If customers don't find a compelling reason to stay in your online shop, they'll leave as quickly as they arrived. We understand there are countless factors to consider, which is why we're here to help! Today, we present a series of tactics to ensure a smooth buying process. Without further ado, here are seven ways to reduce shopping cart abandonment.
1. Offer Fast and Free Shipping
The concept of 1- or 2-day shipping was popularized by Amazon, and once we experience something good, we want it to last. One of the most common reasons for shopping cart abandonment is discovering that the package will take five days or a week to arrive. Similarly, customers dislike paying for shipping. Most people believe this is a service the company should provide. To encourage customers to complete their purchases, offer free shipping within one or two days at most.
Start-up companies may hesitate to absorb this extra cost. We recommend conducting tests to determine its value, as your sales volume could grow significantly with this change alone. If you're still unsure, consider these additional tips:
- Offer free and fast shipping for purchases over a certain amount. Research how your competitors handle it to get started.
- Increase product prices slightly to cover shipping costs.
- Offer free shipping to customers who subscribe to your newsletter.
If free shipping remains unaffordable, consider partnering with a 3PL logistics company to group shipments and reduce costs.
2. Offer Free Returns
Just as with shipping, customers expect a simple, fast, and free returns process. Make your return policy visible, including phrases like "free returns within 15 days" during checkout. Simplifying the purchase process will foster customer loyalty.
3. Don't Require Account Creation
While offering discounts or other benefits for subscribing to your mailing list is beneficial, requiring account creation can be counterproductive. The more complicated the process of selecting a product, adding it to the basket, and paying, the lower the conversion rate will be. Allow customers to purchase as guests, leaving account registration optional.
4. Offer Multiple Secure Payment Methods
It's essential to offer a great user experience in addition to quality products at competitive prices. Besides credit or debit cards, include payment methods like PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. Amazon leads the way with "one-click payment," enabling users to process payments via a pre-configured method without going through the shopping cart. Ensure customers feel secure during the payment process by reinforcing payment fields and incorporating an SSL certificate.
5. Create a Simplified Shopping Cart Page
Maintaining high standards is crucial when users reach the shopping cart. Consider the following:
- Allow customers to easily update the number of items in their shopping cart and remove them if necessary.
- Display product thumbnails throughout the checkout process.
- Enable customers to view the total purchase value, including taxes, charges, and fees, at a glance.
6. Offer Live Chat Support
Anticipating potential questions or issues your customers may face will give you a significant advantage. If buyers can receive quick answers about shipping, quality, or return options, they'll be more confident in your online shop. A live chat feature can influence purchasing decisions and improve your conversion rate.
7. Build Trust with Customer Reviews
Who doesn't appreciate different perspectives when making a purchase? Products with good reviews have been shown to increase sales. Add a widget for customers to leave reviews or rate their satisfaction from 1 to 5 stars.
Additional Tips to Reduce Shopping Cart Abandonment
- Send offers and reminders through newsletters.
- Include a checkout indicator for easy access.
- Ensure your website is fully optimized for mobile devices, as most internet access occurs on these platforms.
What do you think of these tips to reduce shopping cart abandonment? If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
