The success of your online store heavily depends on minimizing checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce. A slow or complicated checkout process can not only frustrate customers but also lead to higher cart abandonment rates ultimately hurting your sales. To help you boost conversions and create a seamless shopping experience, we’ve compiled five proven strategies to speed up the checkout process in your BigCommerce store.
Why Checkout Speed Matters
When customers shop online, they value convenience and speed above all else. A fast checkout process reduces friction, simplifies decision-making, and increases the likelihood of completing a purchase. On the flip side, checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce can discourage customers, leading them to abandon their carts in favor of a competitor’s store.
According to ecommerce studies, 69% of online shopping carts are abandoned, and a significant portion of this comes down to a slow or confusing checkout experience. With that in mind, you must optimize your checkout process to maximize sales and enhance customer satisfaction.
Now, let’s explore actionable strategies to accelerate your BigCommerce checkout page.
1. Enable Guest Checkout
Why Guest Checkout Works
Requiring customers to create an account can be a significant pain point. Many customers are in a hurry or simply don’t want the hassle of remembering another password. Offering a guest checkout streamlines the process by cutting out unnecessary steps, reducing friction, and empowering buyers to complete their purchase more quickly.
How to Set It Up in BigCommerce
BigCommerce allows you to enable guest checkout with just a few clicks. Navigate to your store’s “Checkout Settings,” and toggle on the guest checkout option. Offering this feature ensures you don’t lose potential buyers who are deterred by mandatory account creation.
2. Simplify Your Checkout Form
Focus on Fewer Fields
One of the biggest contributors to checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce is long, tedious forms. Data shows that reducing the number of form fields from 10 to 6 can improve conversion rates by 10% or more.
Best Practices for Simplifying Forms
- Use Autofill to speed up form completion for returning users.
- Only Request Essential Information like name, delivery address, and payment method.
- Group Related Fields Together, such as having the first name and last name side-by-side.
Tools and Extensions
BigCommerce supports various checkout customization apps that simplify forms further — such as ShipperHQ or One-Page Checkout by Bolt.
3. Optimize Page Load Speed
Why Speed is Crucial
Did you know that a one-second delay in page load time can reduce conversions by up to 7%? Slow-loading pages are a killer for online sales, especially during checkout when customers expect immediacy.
Speed-Optimization Tips for BigCommerce Stores
- Compress Images: Reduce image file sizes without compromising quality. Tools like TinyPNG are perfect for this.
- Leverage Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): BigCommerce integrates with CDNs to ensure fast content delivery globally.
- Minimize Third-Party Scripts: Evaluate and remove any unnecessary scripts that could slow the checkout page.
The faster your checkout page loads, the more likely customers are to complete their purchase without hesitation.
4. Offer Multiple Payment Options
Diversity is Key
Not all customers prefer the same payment platforms. While some may favor traditional card payments, younger consumers might prefer digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Failing to accommodate diverse preferences can introduce unnecessary obstacles.
Implementing Payment Gateways in BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers seamless integration with popular payment providers. By enabling multiple payment methods, you cater to a broader audience and eliminate one of the most common forms of checkout friction.
Bonus Feature
For a more advanced solution, consider enabling Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options like Klarna or Afterpay to attract budget-conscious shoppers.
5. Test & Optimize the Checkout Flow
The Value of A/B Testing
One of the most effective ways to improve your checkout process is to regularly test it. Tools like Google Optimize or Hotjar allow you to experiment with different layouts, buttons, or copy to determine what resonates most with your customers.
Key Areas to Examine
- CTA Visibility: Test different positions and text on “Place Order” buttons.
- Mobile Friendliness: Ensure your checkout page is responsive and mobile-optimized.
- Navigation Flow: Keep the checkout steps linear, intuitive, and distraction-free.
By implementing data-driven changes, you can fine-tune your checkout process to meet customer expectations.
The Drawbacks of Checkout Friction at Your Store in BigCommerce
Checkout friction doesn’t just frustrate your customers it directly impacts your bottom line. Here are some specific drawbacks to consider if friction remains unaddressed in your store:
- High Cart Abandonment Rates: Confused or delayed customers are more likely to leave your site without purchasing.
- Damaged Customer Trust: Lengthy or complex checkout forms can make users question the reliability of your store.
- Negative Reviews: Dissatisfied customers are more likely to leave public complaints, discouraging future buyers.
- Lost Revenue: Ultimately, every abandoned cart represents lost sales, making it essential to reduce all possible friction points.
To stay competitive, eliminating checkout friction should be a core priority in your BigCommerce strategy.
FAQs About Checkout Friction in BigCommerce
1. What is checkout friction?
Checkout friction refers to any barriers or inconveniences that slow down or complicate the checkout process for customers. Examples include slow load times, excessive form fields, and lack of payment options.
2. How does checkout friction affect my BigCommerce sales?
It can drastically increase cart abandonment rates, lower conversion rates, and hurt customer trust. Addressing these issues will improve user satisfaction and boost revenue.
3. What tools can help reduce friction in BigCommerce?
Apps like One-Page Checkout, ShipperHQ, and integrated payment gateways can simplify your checkout flow while improving overall usability.
4. Does offering guest checkout really make a difference?
Yes! Studies show that stores with guest checkout options experience fewer abandoned carts and faster customer transactions.
5. Can slow load times alone cause checkout friction?
Absolutely. If your checkout page takes longer than a few seconds to load, customers are likely to abandon their purchase. Prioritize speed optimization to retain buyers.
Final Thoughts
Reducing checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce is not just an operational tweak it’s a competitive advantage. By enabling guest checkout, simplifying forms, optimizing speed, offering diverse payment options, and regularly testing your process, you pave the path for seamless transactions and happier customers.
Now it’s your turn to take action. Explore BigCommerce tools, implement these strategies, and watch your sales soar!
