Checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce could be holding you back from converting mobile shoppers into loyal customers. With mobile commerce accounting for an increasing share of online purchases, customers today expect faster and more seamless checkout experiences. Any hitch or delay can lead to frustration and cart abandonment. Learning how to reduce checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce is not just a technical upgrade it’s a necessity for staying competitive in 2025.
This blog highlights the undeniable need for lightning-fast checkout experiences on mobile, explores the consequences of checkout friction, and offers actionable strategies to ensure your BigCommerce store provides the speed and simplicity today’s cshopper’s demand.
The Rise of Mobile Commerce in 2025
Mobile commerce has skyrocketed in recent years, shaping the shopping habits of millions worldwide. By 2025, an estimated 73% of eCommerce sales will happen on mobile devices. This shift is driven by convenience shoppers can browse, compare, and complete purchases on-the-go.
However, the mobile advantage comes with its challenges. Mobile users are notoriously quick to abandon slow or inefficient websites. Studies reveal that 53% of mobile users will leave a site if it takes longer than three seconds to load. If your BigCommerce store’s checkout process is slow or clunky, you risk losing valuable mobile customers.
What Mobile Shoppers Want
Mobile shoppers value three key qualities during checkout:
- Speed: Completing a transaction in seconds, not minutes.
- Simplicity: Avoiding unnecessary steps like creating accounts or filling endless forms.
- Security: Trusting that their payment information is protected.
Meeting these expectations means addressing common barriers to a seamless checkout experience.
Reducing Checkout Friction at Your Store in BigCommerce
Checkout friction includes any inefficiencies or inconveniences that slow down the checkout process. These obstacles can take many forms, from confusing layouts to limited payment options. Addressing these issues can make all the difference for mobile shoppers.
Here are the leading causes of checkout friction and how to counteract them in your BigCommerce store.
1. Long or Complicated Forms
Mobile users typically have less patience for time-consuming tasks like filling out lengthy forms. Excessive fields requiring unnecessary information are a major friction point.
Solution
- Ask for Essentials Only: Stick to necessary fields like name, address, and payment info.
- Enable Autofill: Allow browsers or payment services to pre-fill customer details.
- Combine Fields: For instance, merge street address and apartment number into a single line.
BigCommerce offers tools and apps to simplify form layouts, making it easier for shoppers to breeze through checkout.
2. Lack of Payment Flexibility
Payment preference is highly personal. Without diverse options, you risk alienating segments of your audience.
Solution
- Add popular payment gateways like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
- Introduce Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services for budget-conscious shoppers.
- Ensure cross-border payment support for international customers.
BigCommerce supports integration with multiple payment processors, so don’t shy away from offering variety.
3. Slow Loading Times
Speed is crucial, especially during checkout. If your page load time lags, customers will abandon their carts.
Solution
- Optimize Images: Resize and compress images to reduce file sizes.
- Streamline Code: Remove unnecessary scripts and CSS elements.
- Use a CDN: BigCommerce provides built-in CDN capabilities to ensure faster loading globally.
For more advanced speed optimization, use BigCommerce-supported plugins or custom solutions.
4. No Guest Checkout Options
Mandatory account creation can deter first-time buyers. Many users prefer the simplicity of guest checkout.
Solution
Enable guest checkout in your BigCommerce settings. This feature eliminates unnecessary barriers, allowing customers to make purchases without commitments. First-time buyers are more likely to complete their purchase if they can skip the account creation process.
The Drawbacks of Checkout Friction at Your Store in BigCommerce
Failing to address checkout friction can have serious consequences for your business. Here are some key drawbacks to consider:
- Higher Cart Abandonment Rates
Research shows that 69% of shopping carts are abandoned, with friction-heavy checkouts accounting for a significant percentage. Confusing layouts, excessive form fields, or slow pages contribute to missed sales opportunities.
- Loss of Revenue
Every abandoned checkout translates directly into lost revenue. If unresolved, checkout friction can severely impact your bottom line.
- Negative Customer Experience
Customers value businesses that provide efficient shopping experiences. Businesses that don’t meet these expectations risk alienating their audience and creating negative word-of-mouth.
- Reduced Brand Loyalty
Mobile users have little patience for cumbersome processes. If they face friction in your store, they’ll likely complete their purchase elsewhere—and may not return.
Addressing these concerns promptly will help you retain mobile shoppers and stay ahead in a competitive eCommerce landscape.
FAQs About Checkout Friction
1. What is checkout friction?
Checkout friction refers to any obstacle that slows down or complicates the checkout process. Examples include lengthy forms, slow load times, and limited payment options.
2. How can checkout friction affect my BigCommerce sales?
Checkout friction leads to cart abandonment and loss of revenue. Optimizing checkout processes can improve conversion rates and enhance customer satisfaction.
3. What tools can I use to reduce checkout friction?
There are several apps and features within BigCommerce to streamline checkout, such as ShipperHQ for simplified shipping, and Bolt for one-page checkouts.
4. Why is guest checkout important?
Guest checkout eliminates the need for customers to create an account, reducing friction and making it more likely they’ll complete their purchase.
5. Can mobile optimization alone reduce checkout friction?
Mobile optimization is critical but must be combined with simplified forms, faster loading times, and express payment options for best results.
Final Thoughts
Mobile shoppers in 2025 demand speed, convenience, and security when checking out. Checkout friction at your store in BigCommerce could be hindering your ability to meet these expectations, resulting in lost customers and revenue.
By simplifying forms, optimizing load times, offering guest checkout, and diversifying payment methods, you can create a checkout experience that satisfies today’s mobile-first shoppers.
Take the first step now evaluate your BigCommerce store’s checkout process and implement these tested solutions. Your shoppers will thank you, and so will your sales figures.
