- 1. Annoyed at Complicated Checkout Process
- 2. High Shipping Costs or Slow Shipping
- 3. Shipping Costs Listed Late
- 4. Forced to Register and Create an Account
- 5. Lack of Payment Options
- 6. Unsure of Security Features
- 7. Coupon Codes and Promotional Offers
- 8. Lack of Product Information
- 9. High Cost of Product
- 10. Want to Look Around
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Online Shopping Cart Abandonment
You design a beautiful ecommerce website. You populate it with a number of awesome products, and you make sure that the products are showcased well. You spend a good amount of time, effort and money on digital marketing and advertising to drive visitors to your website. Finally, your effort bears fruit – customers come, select products and place them in their shopping cart. Then, they abandon the shopping cart and leave. Shopping cart abandonment is one of the most exasperating things that customers do. While some people may simply be browsing for products and checking out your website, when you detect a high rate of shopping cart abandonment, you need to take a close look at what’s happening. Experian Simmons, Forrester Research, ComScore and several other reputable research and survey organizations have tried to get to the bottom of the issue. At different points of time during the last few years, they have surveyed a number of ecommerce visitors and tracked the online transactions to understand what makes people abandon shopping carts. Here are 10 of the most common reasons customers decide to abandon their online shopping carts and leave your online store without spending any money.
1. Annoyed at Complicated Checkout Process
The checkout process needs to be as simple, smooth and quick as possible. If you make the user fill out too many forms or perform too many complicated or repetitive actions, the impatient customer will abandon the cart and leave.2. High Shipping Costs or Slow Shipping
People are not okay with paying high shipping rates. Most people buy online because they can get the goods delivered at their doorstep and get discount at the same time. But high shipping costs increase the price and take away their motivation. Also, online buyers are often buying goods on impulse – if they realize that it will take weeks for the product to reach them, they may look elsewhere.3. Shipping Costs Listed Late
Most online sellers know that high shipping costs are a big no-no. So, they try and get the customers interested in a product. Once the customer has placed a product in the shopping cart, they slyly add the shipping cost to the total cost. Needless to say, customers hate this and they are quick to abandon the cart.4. Forced to Register and Create an Account
Collecting client details is undoubtedly useful. The more information you have about a client, the better you can market – and deliver – your products to them. A registered user is more likely to visit the site again and develop loyalty. Ecommerce stores try to get this information by forcing the user to register with the website. Most people just want to buy and leave. Sites that do not allow the users to buy goods as guest visitors see a high rate of shopping cart abandonment.5. Lack of Payment Options
There are dozens of different credit and debit card companies out there and there are several different methods that people can use to make online payments. Many customers want to buy products, but are forced to abandon the carts because the ecommerce website doesn’t make provisions for their particular preferred or available method of payment.6. Unsure of Security Features
Most people are comfortable shopping on large and popular ecommerce websites, but when it comes to smaller, lesser known websites, they are afraid of phishing and other fraudulent activities. Many users bring their online shopping expedition to an abrupt end if they become unsure of the security features of an ecommerce store.7. Coupon Codes and Promotional Offers
Savvy online buyers know that if they can get a discount coupon, they can save a lot of money. So, websites that have a coupon code button see a lot of shopping cart abandonment – the users go in search of the coupon code and come back only if they can find one.8. Lack of Product Information
Some buyers are 100% sure of what they want to buy, while others expect to find product information and comparisons on the store. When they do not find enough information about the product, they decide not to buy, or continue their search to find information.9. High Cost of Product
At times, there is nothing you can do: if the product is too costly for the users, they will not buy it. Also, if you are applying taxes to the products and driving up the price, the users may look elsewhere or consider buying it for less in a physical store.10. Want to Look Around
Just as people in the physical world visit stores simply to check out stuff, online buyers also visit online stores to check out products and prices. These visitors do not intend to buy, and there is nothing you can do to stop them from abandoning the cart. But, they often do have the intention of buying at some time – by sending automated emails reminding them to buy the products, you can increase chances of conversions at a later point of time. How does your site rate? If you are concerned about a high rate of shopping cart abandonment, it might be worth considering the above list for possible influencing factors. With some, you will be able to devise and implement your own way of dealing with them. With others – or if you can’t discern what the cause of a high abandonment rate might be – it might be a good idea to hire a professional.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Online Shopping Cart Abandonment
What are the main reasons for high shipping costs leading to cart abandonment?
High shipping costs are a significant deterrent for many online shoppers. Customers often add items to their cart, only to abandon them when they see the added shipping fees. This can be due to several reasons. Firstly, customers may feel that the shipping costs are disproportionate to the value of the items they’re purchasing. Secondly, they may find a competitor offering the same product with lower or free shipping. Lastly, some customers may simply prefer to shop in-store to avoid shipping costs altogether. To mitigate this, businesses can consider offering free shipping thresholds or flat-rate shipping to encourage customers to complete their purchases.
How does a complicated checkout process contribute to cart abandonment?
A complicated checkout process can be a major turn-off for online shoppers. If the process is too lengthy, requires too much information, or is not user-friendly, customers may abandon their carts out of frustration or impatience. This is especially true for mobile users, who may find it difficult to navigate a complex checkout process on a smaller screen. To reduce cart abandonment, businesses should aim to streamline their checkout process, making it as simple and straightforward as possible.
Why do customers abandon carts if there are no express shipping options?
In today’s fast-paced world, customers often expect quick delivery of their online purchases. If a business does not offer express shipping options, customers may choose to abandon their carts and look for alternatives where faster delivery is available. This is particularly true during holiday seasons or other times when customers may be shopping for time-sensitive items. Offering a range of shipping options, including express shipping, can help businesses retain these customers and reduce cart abandonment.
How does forced account creation lead to cart abandonment?
Forced account creation can be a significant barrier for many online shoppers. Customers may not want to go through the process of creating an account, especially if they’re making a one-time purchase or are in a hurry. They may also have privacy concerns and be reluctant to share their personal information. To address this, businesses can offer a guest checkout option, allowing customers to make purchases without creating an account.
How can unexpected costs lead to cart abandonment?
Unexpected costs, such as taxes, fees, or shipping costs that are only revealed at the end of the checkout process, can lead to cart abandonment. Customers may feel deceived or frustrated by these surprise charges, and choose to abandon their carts as a result. Transparency is key in online shopping – businesses should aim to disclose all costs upfront to avoid any unpleasant surprises at checkout.
How does a lack of payment options contribute to cart abandonment?
A lack of payment options can be a significant barrier for many online shoppers. Customers have different preferences when it comes to payment methods, and if their preferred option is not available, they may choose to abandon their carts. Offering a variety of payment options, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, and other digital wallets, can help businesses cater to a wider range of customers and reduce cart abandonment.
How can website errors and crashes lead to cart abandonment?
Website errors and crashes can be incredibly frustrating for online shoppers. If a customer encounters an error during the checkout process, or if the website crashes altogether, they may choose to abandon their cart and shop elsewhere. Ensuring that your website is reliable and functioning smoothly is crucial in preventing cart abandonment.
How does a lack of trust in the website lead to cart abandonment?
Trust is a crucial factor in online shopping. If customers do not trust a website, they may be hesitant to provide their personal information and complete their purchase. This lack of trust can stem from various factors, such as a lack of security badges, poor website design, or negative reviews. Businesses should aim to build trust with their customers by ensuring their website is secure, professionally designed, and well-reviewed.
How can a lack of detailed product information lead to cart abandonment?
Detailed product information is crucial in helping customers make informed purchase decisions. If a customer feels that the product information provided is insufficient or unclear, they may choose to abandon their cart. Providing detailed, accurate product descriptions and high-quality images can help businesses reduce cart abandonment.
How does a lack of customer support contribute to cart abandonment?
Customer support plays a crucial role in the online shopping experience. If a customer has a question or encounters a problem during the checkout process, and there’s no readily available help, they may choose to abandon their cart. Offering timely and effective customer support, such as live chat or a customer service hotline, can help businesses reduce cart abandonment.
Kinjal AdesharaKinjal Adeshara is currently working as a Blogger and Digital Marketer at Cygnet Infotech, an ecommerce website development company, writing about mobile technology and ecommerce solutions.
