Nearly 70% of carts are abandoned during checkout.
That means for every 100 customers who add something to their cart, only about 30 actually complete the purchase.
Slow loading times, complicated checkout process, hidden fees, limited payment options, and lack of guest checkout - the culprits are many.
These issues lead to $260 billion worth of lost orders.
However, the silver lining is that all you need is a frictionless and easy Shopify checkout process to recover a part of this lost revenue.
Even a small improvement in checkout efficiency can have a big impact. If a store can reduce cart abandonment by just 10%, that could lead to a potential 10-15% increase in sales.
Now, imagine pulling off a 25% increase in your checkout completion rate. That could mean a whole lot of sales.
In this blog, we will discuss the top strategies to edit your Shopify checkout page for increased conversions and sales. We will also explore brands that have effective and optimized Shopify checkout pages. Let’s get going.
What is Checkout Optimization?
Checkout optimization is the process of streamlining the online shopping experience at the most crucial point: the checkout. It's all about making the purchase process as smooth, easy, and secure as possible for customers. This translates to fewer abandoned carts and more completed sales for businesses.
Here’s a scenario: A customer browsed your online store, found the perfect items, and added them to their cart. They’re ready to complete your purchase and move to the checkout page. It's slow to load, requires them to create a new account with endless forms, and hides the final cost with surprise shipping fees. Suddenly, the enthusiasm to buy fades.
Frustration sets in, and they abandon their cart, leaving both the customer and your store disappointed.
Checkout optimization tackles these pain points by streamlining the flow. It focuses on minimizing the number of steps and forms a customer needs to complete, ensuring the process is quick and efficient.
Ultimately, a smooth Shopify checkout can be the difference between a one-time visitor and a lifelong customer.
10 Easy Shopify Checkout Page Customization Strategies to Boost Sales
1. Set Up Shopify One-Page Checkout
Ditch the multi-page checkout on your Shopify store. It can lead to frustrated customers abandoning their carts mid-purchase.
Switching to a one-page checkout simplifies the process, keeping them engaged and completing their transactions in a single step. This translates to fewer clicks, less frustration, and ultimately, higher conversion rates and sales for your business.
Allbirds, a sustainable footwear brand, is a prime example of how a Shopify one-page checkout can improve the customer experience. Their one-page checkout is clean, and mobile-friendly. It also offers guest checkout and multiple payment options to make the process as easy and quick as possible.
Checkout Wiz lets you customize your one-page checkout with drag-and-drop ease. It also offers advanced features to optimize conversions, like progress indicators and abandoned cart recovery tools. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with Shopify, so you can be up and running quickly. With Checkout Wiz, you can create a smoother buying journey, reduce cart abandonment, and watch your Shopify sales boost.
2. Enable Guest Checkout
Have you ever browsed an online store, and found the perfect item, only to be discouraged by the requirement to create an account before checkout?
This can be a major turn-off for many customers in fact, it is the second biggest reason for checkout cart abandonment.
That's where guest checkout comes in – a feature that allows customers to purchase items without creating an account.
ColourPop Cosmetics prioritizes guest checkout for a smoother buying experience. Their express guest checkout is a shining example – super easy and short, allowing customers to breeze through the purchase without unnecessary steps.
Today's shoppers crave speed and convenience. Guest checkout eliminates registration forms, saving them time and effort. This can significantly improve conversion rates. Some customers might also be wary of sharing personal information, and guest checkout respects their privacy concerns.
3. Add a Progress Indicator Bar
A confusing Shopify checkout process can frustrate customers and lead to abandoned carts.
A progress bar acts as a roadmap, showing them exactly where they are in the flow (entering shipping info, choosing payment, etc.). This transparency reduces anxiety and keeps them motivated to complete the purchase.
Studies even show progress bars can reduce perceived wait times by 15%, leading to a smoother experience and potentially higher conversion rates.
Many successful brands are already doing this. Gymshark, for example, uses a clear progress bar divided into four simple steps: information, shipping, payment, and completion. This keeps customers informed and engaged throughout the Shopify checkout journey. Don't leave your customers in the dark.
By providing transparency and motivation, it reduces cart abandonment and boosts the user experience, translating to higher sales for your Shopify store.
4. Provide Multiple Payment Methods
Limited payment options on your Shopify store can be another conversion killer.
Offering a variety of ways to pay, like credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay) opens your store to a wider audience and removes a hurdle at checkout.
This means increased conversion rates, happier customers with a secure payment experience, and ultimately, more sales for your business.
Death Wish Coffee understands this. Their Shopify checkout caters to every coffee lover's preference by offering credit cards, the trusted PayPal, and even Shop Pay' for those who want to pay in installments. This approach ensures a smooth checkout experience no matter how customers choose to pay.
5. Show Related Products
Customers nearing checkout on your Shopify store are ready to buy.
Use this opportunity to entice them to spend a bit more. Display complementary items to tempt customers to add more to their cart, boosting your average order value.
The key is to showcase these products strategically. Focus on relevant suggestions that match what's already in their cart. Think belts for a new dress or headphones for a new phone. Also, use high-quality images, clear descriptions, and a user-friendly layout to make browsing these related products a breeze.
Take a cue from Taylor Stitch. Their "Top it Off" section on the Shopify checkout page shows complementary accessories. It's visually appealing, strategically placed, and avoids overwhelming customers.
This approach encourages them to browse and potentially add those finishing touches, increasing their average order value.
6. Add Trust Signals
Online shopping can feel risky, especially at checkout where customers enter financial information.
Trust signals can help reassure customers that their information is safe. Again, security concerns are a major reason carts get abandoned, but trust signals can alleviate these anxieties and lead to more completed purchases. They also build trust and brand reputation, encouraging repeat business.
Bruvi, a coffee brewer company, displays a clear message on it’s Shopify checkout page: "All payments are secure and encrypted". This simple reassurance puts customers at ease.
On the other hand, L'Occitane, a beauty brand, takes a multi-pronged approach. At the bottom of their checkout page, they showcase three sections: "Safe & Secure Payments," "Shipping," and "Customer Care."
This builds trust by addressing potential concerns across security, delivery, and support.
By incorporating trust signals on your Shopify store checkout, you're telling customers you prioritize their security. This reduces cart abandonment, builds brand reputation, and boosts conversion rates.
7. Highlight the Free Shipping Threshold
Free shipping is a magic word for online shoppers.
At least for 80% of them. In fact, whether they would buy from your store or not largely depends on the shipping amount.
Highlighting the free shipping threshold during the checkout can do wonders for your online store.
Think about it: free shipping removes a hurdle at checkout, making customers more likely to complete their purchases.
This directly boosts your sales. But it goes beyond just the initial purchase. Knowing they'll get free shipping makes the customers add more products to their cart and reach the threshold, ultimately increasing the average order value of your store.
Pressed Foods cleverly highlights its free shipping threshold. The moment you add an item to your cart, a pop-up appears displaying exactly how much more you need to qualify for free shipping.
This transparent and immediate notification keeps customers informed and engaged throughout their shopping journey. They know exactly how close they are to unlocking this perk, making them add more items and reach the threshold.
Here are a few tips to effectively show the free shipping threshold on your Shopify checkout page:
Display the free shipping threshold clearly next to the product price for upfront transparency.
Show the remaining amount needed for free shipping as soon as an item is added, creating urgency.
Reiterate the free shipping threshold and progress at checkout to reinforce the incentive.
8. Easy-to-Find Return Policy:
Customers are often hesitant to buy online due to worries about returns.
A clear and easy-to-find return policy acts like a safety net for online shoppers, reducing anxieties and boosting your conversion rates. A hassle-free return experience also builds trust and happy customers, increasing customer satisfaction overall.
The catch? Don't make them hunt for it.
Create a dedicated return policy page outlining timelines, conditions, and clear instructions. Then, strategically link it from product pages and especially the checkout page. A simple "Return Policy" link on your Shopify checkout page is all it takes.
Take Innisfree, a Korean beauty brand, for example. They showcase a clear "Return Policy" link right on their checkout page. This link leads to a dedicated page with all the details customers need, from return windows to accepted conditions and step-by-step instructions.
This transparency builds trust and assures customers that returning unwanted items is a smooth and stress-free process.
9. Maximize Checkout Page Speed
A one-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions. While 40% of online shoppers abandon carts due to slow loading times.
Now you know why maximizing your Shopify checkout page speed is crucial.
A fast and smooth checkout process creates a positive customer experience. It shows you value their time and efficiency, leading to increased satisfaction and brand loyalty. This way you're also removing a barrier to purchase and potentially increasing the number of customers who complete their transactions.
Here are some tips to maximize your Shopify checkout page speed:
Optimize product images for the web to reduce checkout page load times.
Limit third-party add-ons – evaluate if they're truly essential for a smooth Shopify checkout.
Choose a reliable hosting provider to ensure your store can handle traffic and deliver a fast checkout experience.
10. Convert visitors into SMS subscribers
SMS marketing lets you connect directly with highly engaged customers. Studies show SMS open rates exceed 90%, crushing email. This means having a direct line with interested customers.
Building an SMS subscriber list unlocks a goldmine. Sky-high engagement, targeted sales campaigns that boost revenue, and stronger customer relationships with personalized texts.
Take inspiration from Fenty Beauty, the cosmetics brand by Rihanna. Their Shopify checkout page features a clear and concise opt-in form asking for phone numbers and clearly stating the purpose: "Sign up for text messages to receive the latest offers & deals."
This transparency and easy signup process makes it effortless for customers to join their SMS list.
Bonus Tip: Turning visitors into texting subscribers is easy. Offer incentives for signing up, highlight the benefits like exclusive deals, and make signup simple with clear opt-in forms on your website and checkout page.
Wrapping Up
Your Shopify checkout page is a crucial touchpoint that can make or break a sale. From highlighting trust signals to free shipping – you can create a smooth and frictionless experience that converts browsers into loyal customers.
Checkout Wiz makes it easy to implement the strategies outlined in this blog and create a checkout experience that maximizes your conversion rates. Get on a call with us to know how we can help you take control of your checkout page.
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Surya V
Surya leads Product Management at Skai Lama. He talks about Shopify Checkout, Conversion Optimization, and growth tactics for Shopify Plus stores.
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Transform your checkout with Checkout Wiz: Enjoy custom content blocks, upsell widgets, surveys, and full branding control for maximum conversions and revenue.
Transform your checkout with Checkout Wiz: Enjoy custom content blocks, upsell widgets, surveys, and full branding control for maximum conversions and revenue.