Cart abandonment – it’s the dreaded outcome every eCommerce store faces. Shoppers load up their carts with your products, only to disappear without checking out. But why does this happen? And more importantly, how can you stop it?
The reality is, cart abandonment is a natural part of the online shopping journey. However, with the right strategies, you can drastically reduce those numbers and turn window shoppers into loyal customers. Let’s dive into some actionable tips to help you reclaim those lost sales.
Offer Guest Checkout 🛒
Requiring customers to create an account before purchasing can feel like a roadblock. Offering a guest checkout option keeps the process quick and hassle-free.
💡Pro Tip: Once the purchase is complete, invite them to create an account for faster future checkouts and exclusive perks.
Provide Multiple Payment Options 💳
Shoppers want flexibility, especially when it comes to payment. From credit cards to PayPal, Apple Pay, and even buy-now-pay-later services like Klarna, the more options you offer, the better.
❓Why it matters: A lack of preferred payment methods is a deal-breaker for many shoppers. Make the payment process as seamless and inclusive as possible.
Optimise Abandoned Cart Emails 📧
Don’t let abandoned carts be the end of the story! Effective cart recovery emails can re-engage shoppers and bring them back to complete their purchase.
Tips for success:
• Send the first email within an hour of abandonment.
• Include images of the items left behind.
• Offer a small discount or free shipping to sweeten the deal.
Offer Free or Reduced Shipping 🚚
Unexpected shipping costs are a top reason for abandoned carts, in fact, 60% of online shoppers abandon their carts due to this. If free shipping isn’t feasible, consider offering reduced rates or a flat fee.
💡Pro Tip: Use thresholds like “Free shipping on orders over £50” to encourage larger purchases.
Improve Mobile Experience 📱
Over half of online shopping is done on mobile devices, yet 85% of carts on mobile are abandoned. Ensure your site is fully optimised for mobile with:
• Responsive design.
• Easy navigation.
• A streamlined checkout process.
🏆 Quick Win: Test your website on multiple devices to ensure a smooth experience across the board.
Increase Trustworthiness ⭐
Building trust is key to reducing hesitation at checkout. Displaying customer reviews, Trustpilot ratings, or security badges can reassure shoppers that your site is credible.
💡Pro Tip: Use social media to showcase happy customers and behind the scenes of your company.
Retarget Abandoned Carts with Ads 🎯
Retargeting ads are a powerful way to remind shoppers about what they left behind. Use platforms like Facebook or Google Ads to display the products they were interested in directly in their feed.
💡Pro Tip: Include limited-time discounts in your retargeting ads to create urgency.
Add Progress Indicators 🕒
Shoppers can be easily deterred if the checkout process feels endless. A progress bar at the top of the checkout page lets them know how close they are to completing their purchase.
❓Why it works: Breaking the process into clear steps reduces anxiety and makes it feel more manageable.
Reduce Checkout Steps 🔍
Speaking of checkout, simplicity is key. Too many steps can frustrate customers and cause them to abandon the process altogether.
Streamline the experience by:
• Minimising form fields.
• Offering autofill options for address and payment details.
• Clearly displaying the total cost upfront.
Let’s Wrap It Up 🎁
Reducing cart abandonment isn’t just about plugging holes—it’s about creating a seamless, enjoyable shopping experience for your customers. From offering guest checkout to retargeting with ads, each tip we’ve shared can help you optimise your eCommerce strategy and reclaim those lost sales.
Need help fine-tuning your eCommerce strategy? At CDA, we specialise in creating strategies that convert. Get in touch today!
