Cart abandonment is a major issue for online stores. A customer visits and adds items to their cart. However, they suddenly quit without purchasing the item. Research shows almost 70% of shopping carts unexpectedly get abandoned. This means 7 out of 10 potential sales are not completed.
For online businesses, fixing this is not a choice, it’s very much essential. The good news is, you can save these sales. Use better checkout designs, smarter website choices, and special recovery tools. Here are 12 proven ways to reduce cart abandonment and increase sales.
1. Optimise the Checkout Process
The more complex your checkout process, the higher the chance of abandonment. A long or confusing flow frustrates customers.
Best practices for checkout optimisation
- Make the process of checkout as simple as possible with a single page or a distinct progress bar.
- Only request the necessary information and delete all the extraneous form fields.
- Enable autofill to let browsers automatically enter address details.
Many ECommerce web design solutions streamline this experience and can reduce abandonment by simplifying friction points.
2. Offer Guest Checkout Options
Forcing shoppers to create an account is a deal breaker. Customers want speed and convenience, not mandatory registrations.
Why it works
- Letting customers check out as a guest makes it easier. This improves sales.
- First time buyers are more likely to buy when they do not have to make an account.
Later, you can invite them to create an account after the purchase, once trust has been established.
3. Provide Multiple Payment Methods
Payment choices vary a lot by age and location. Limiting options can make customers leave.
Action steps
- Accept major credit and debit cards. Also accept digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. And accept PayPal.
- Offer Buy Now, Pay Later options. These have become very popular around the world.
An abandoned cart recovery tool becomes less necessary if customers can pay their way without hesitation.
4. Be Transparent About Costs
Unexpected costs are the top reason people abandon carts. Hidden shipping fees, taxes, or extra charges can break trust as it is unexpected.
Practical tips
- Show the complete total price early in the checkout process.
- Place a shipping cost calculator directly on product pages.
- Free shipping will be offered on orders above a certain limit.
The customers will have less chance to drop off when they are aware of what to pay in advance.
5. Use Exit-Intent Popups
Exit intent popups appear when a shopper is going to leave. Some people find them annoying. But when used well, they are very effective.
Ideas to test
- Offer a discount code or free shipping. Provide a special discount offer to complete their purchase.
- Remind customers what is in their cart. Show the items they have already selected.
- Provide them with the motivation to be subscribers to an email reminder. Ask to inform them about new offers and discounts.
In conjunction with the abandoned cart recovery system, exit pop ups may be used to win over the undecided customer before they walk away.
6. Strengthen Site Speed & Mobile Optimisation
Slow websites kill conversions. Any delay of one second can decrease conversions by 7%. A bad mobile checkout increases cart abandonment since mobile brings more than half of eCommerce traffic.
Fixes to consider
- Make images smaller and improve your code.
- Make sure your checkout works great on phones. Use big buttons. Forms should auto format numbers like credit cards. Add support for mobile wallets.
- Use checkout tools that are built to work fast on mobile.
7. Build Trust with Security & Social Proof
Online shoppers are smart and informed. If they don’t feel safe about the payment method, they won’t enter their payment details.
Trust boosters
- Secure with SSL and trust badges.
- Highlight return and refund policies.
- Place reviews by the checkout.
A secure, transparent environment reduces hesitation and abandonment.
8. Enable Cart Saving & Reminders
Not every shopper is ready to purchase immediately. Some browse, compare, and return later. Let them.
What helps
- Allow the customers to save a cart or to add an item into a wishlist.
- Send push notifications or email reminders about their saved carts.
This balances convenience with non-intrusive abandoned cart recovery.
9. Use Abandoned Cart Emails
An abandoned cart recovery tool is only as good as the follow-up strategy. Automated emails can recover 10 to 15% of abandoned carts when personalised.
Email best practices
- Send the first reminder email within one hour of abandonment.
- Include clear pictures and prices of the abandoned products.
- Create urgency by telling limited stocks or limited time offers.
- Offer an incentive like a discount or free shipping to encourage completion.
These reminders work like a digital nudge. They help bring back customers who got distracted.
10. Offer Flexible Shipping Options
Rigid shipping terms can derail sales. Customers want options.
Solutions to implement
- Offer standard, fast, and same day shipping if you can.
- Provide free shipping for orders over a set amount. This will stimulate spending among individuals.
- Provide the local pick up service to customers living in the area.
Customers are not likely to abandon the check out process when they are given a chance to choose the mode that suits them.
11. Simplify Returns & Refunds Policies
A complicated or unclear return process causes hesitation. Shoppers fear they’ll be stuck with the wrong product.
Best practices
- Keep your return policy simple and easy to find.
- Offer prepaid return labels to customers.
- Show “Hassle free returns” near the checkout button.
Clarity builds trust. Trust directly helps improve online sales.
12. Use Personalisation and Retargeting.
Not all abandoned carts are lost for good. Personalised retargeting helps keep your brand on a customer’s mind.
How to apply it
- Use dynamic ads on Facebook and Instagram. These ads can show the products a customer left in their cart.
- Sort your customers into groups. Send them personalised offers. For example, give 10% off to first time buyers.
- Use retargeting ads and email reminders together. This combination helps recover more lost sales.
Conclusion
Cart abandonment is a major challenge, but proven solutions exist. You can recover lost sales by streamlining checkout and offering multiple payment options. Using dedicated recovery tools also helps reclaim potential revenue. These strategies work together to significantly boost your conversion rates and income.
Building customer trust is essential for a smooth payment journey. Minor optimisations can make a major difference in recovering orders. Experts like Awebstar can diagnose checkout friction and implement technical fixes. This creates a seamless process that increases sales and builds customer loyalty.