Every WooCommerce shop owner would relate to the challenge of cart abandonment. Users would end up on your website, like the product, and add them to the cart, and yet they would leave the cart without purchasing. This challenge is a common one, and yet it is the most painful part of WooCommerce sales conversion. Gamification in Purchase Process can be a solution.
Let us discover how improving a checkout process can reduce abandoned carts and bring you higher sales conversion.
Cart abandonment, checkout processes & Gamification in Purchase Process
Cart abandonment is the most dreadful puzzle that every WooCommerce shop owner is trying to work on. As it turns out, just 3 out of every 10 customers fulfill their purchase while the rest of them abandon their carts. Those 70% of visitors had the motive, need, and interest to make the purchase.
So how do we Improvise and convert customers out of that 70% of users? The answer lies in the shopping experience. It is very crucial to take a look at your checkout process meticulously while looking for any potential hurdle a user may face. However, if your checkout process is also working seamlessly, then it has to become more engaging.
Gamification in Purchase Process is a single-point solution to engage users through the checkout process and increase sales conversions. There are different ways to improve the checkout process with gamification, as covered in this blog.
Key reasons why your current checkout process does not convert!
It may seem like checkout processes are all the same. However, that is not the case; there are many minute differences that can make or break a deal with your WooCommerce customers. Let us begin by looking at several common reasons why your checkout process is not returning your expected output:
- Complex or lengthy checkout process:
In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, your customers expect a quick and easy way to make any purchase. Exceedingly detailed forms and too many fields can direct users to other simpler choices. As such, you must keep user experience in mind while putting a short and easy checkout process.
- Any hidden charges:
Customers often add things to their cart after evaluating product prices and deciding if the purchase is worth the product’s value. Any charges that you introduce separately during checkout can be a deal breaker for your users.
Adding any excluded prices, such as taxes, delivery charges, or installation charges, can drive users away and create a dissatisfactory user experience. Mentioning the complete cost at the end can mismatch with the initial budgetary expectations of clients.
- Registration processes:
Some eCommerce stores require their customers to register on their platform first and only afterward purchase any product. This extra step here can make customers uncomfortable sharing their details as if they are making a commitment. This difficulty has to be reduced so that every visitor that wants to purchase a product can buy it as easily.
- Unavailable payment options:
You must know the key payment options that your target audience is using. If payment options are limited, there are chances that many customers may not be able to make the transaction, and you will lose their business.
- Trust certificates & brand awareness:
Customers are right to seek proper validation and trust from an online store before making a transaction. In such cases, users will not follow through with their checkout process if your store lacks security certifications, policies, and necessary badges.
- Device optimization:
You must ensure that your WooCommerce store provides a smooth checkout process for both web and mobile device users. Often some new stores undermine the need for mobile device optimization and can lose the customer’s interest.
- Slow or buggy checkout process:
How long would an average user take in your checkout process? The average e-commerce checkout process time has now shortened to 2:25 minutes only. A longer checkout process reflects more users leaving the process unfinished. A buggy checkout process, on the other hand, is a sure-shot way to lose a sale!
- Distractions and pop-ups:
Distractions or interruptions in the checkout process can hinder your sales conversion rate instead of helping it. Avoiding any flashy interaction while the customer is about to make a purchase can have adverse effects.
- Difficult payment page:
If you are providing users with discounts, gift cards, and vouchers, you must also ensure that users are able to redeem them easily. An intuitive and easy-to-understand payment page is a basic need for an effective checkout process.
- Confusing navigation:
Users should be able to understand checkout processes as simple steps before making the purchase. Well-defined 3-4 steps would make the checkout easier. An unclear and complex checkout flow would not be an effective strategy.
- Unanswered questions:
If your WooCommerce shop does not provide an FAQ section, you might be losing some potential customers due to their doubts about the product or delivery, or shipping. It is recommended to make sure that their questions can be clearly answered so they feel confident during the transaction.
How to optimize the checkout experience?
Gamifying your WooCommerce checkout process can help make the transaction easy, engaging, and quick for users. Here are some of the proven ways to improve your checkout process:
- Introducing checkout progress bar:
Checkout progress bars are simple and yet the most effective way to improve the checkout process. The checkout progress bar informs customers about the next steps on purchase and makes it easy with milestones.
- Exit-intent pop-ups:
Exit-intent pop-ups like FunnelSIO can save the day by following up, leaving customers with a chance to get a better deal on their purchases. This one quick chance can improve your sales conversion rates.
- Surprise rewards & discounts:
Exit-intent pop-ups or a coupon section can help attract buyers to avail of an even better deal on their purchase so that they do not abandon their cart. Such discounts and rewards act as an incentive for users to follow through the checkout process.
- Guest checkout provision:
Allowing users or first-time visitors to buy a product without registration can open your WooCommerce shop to a whole new wide audience beyond your registered users. In fact, 43% of the customers prefer guest checkout provision.
- Certificates & references:
Customers’ trust is essential for them to follow the checkout process. Here, one can make sure to use customer testimonials and reviews to win their confidence. Likewise, the platform must provide and show security certifications so customers feel comfortable with making their transactions.
Keep it simple!
The checkout process should demonstrate your brand with its easy and effective approach. While browsing through the process, the customers should get a sense of achievement, happiness, and ease. A simple, non-distracting, and helpful of the Gamification in Purchase Process could go a long way for your WooCommerce shop.
also read: Creating Memorable Shopping Experiences in WooCommerce