In eCommerce, user experience matters most. As an online store owner, whether you are selling goods, memberships, or digital products, choosing a proper setup between a checkout page and a shopping cart is crucial for any your business success. Both play a crucial role in shaping conversion rate and customer satisfaction. In this blog we explore the key functionalities, benefits, and types of shopping carts, checkout pages, and so much more. Let’s explore to determine the perfect fit for your business needs.
Understanding Shopping Cart
In an eCommerce platform, a shopping cart page works as a virtual basket where shoppers can add or remove items before checking out. It tracks what you have picked out, displays the list of products, and shows the total cost. It also allows you to upgrade product quantities and apply discount codes. Some of the prime benefits of shopping cart pages include:
- Gives flexibility to customers: A shopping cart offers an innovative way to manage products before making the final purchase. This leads to an improved shopping experience.
- Provides transparency: Customers can check all information related to product details, total costs, shipping charges, and taxes before moving forward to final checkout.
- Encourages buying more products: With a concise overview of the selected products, customers might be prompted to add more items to their cart. This increases the average order value.
What are the types of shopping carts?
Based on customization and functionality, shopping carts can be categorized broadly. Here are the main types:
1. Hosted shopping carts:
They are mostly hosted by a third-party service provider. This means the third party takes responsibility for the cart maintenance, upgrades, and server backups. Moreover, many hosted carts come with a CMS (content management system). This helps businesses create and manage their website content from a single platform along with these features.
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Managed hosting and security
- Regular updates
- Better tech support
2. Licensed shopping carts
These carts allow businesses to build and customize their cart page according to their needs. This is a lucrative choice for large-scale enterprises seeking bespoke eCommerce solutions. While you may have complete control over the cart design and functionality, it needs technical assistance for cart maintenance.
Pros:
- Offers more features and customization options
- Allows to take control over shopping cart features
- One-time or annual licensing fees are only required
3. Open-source shopping carts
They give free access to the original source code, allowing businesses to modify their cart design and features without paying licensing fees. This is a great choice for store owners who are planning to implement online transactions easily.
Pros:
- Free to use the source code
- Easy to modify and adjust
- Provides a range of plugins or add-ons
- Gives full control over customization
Understanding Checkout Page
In an online store, a checkout page marks the final stage of a customer’s shopping journey. It mostly contains forms where shoppers can add their payment details, shipping address, and other information to complete the transaction process. Depending on the purchase complexity, the checkout flow may spread across different steps. Some of the notable benefits of a checkout cart page include:
- Streamlines final purchase: Well-designed checkout pages assist buyers during the final steps of purchasing and make the process hassle-free.
- Focuses on conversion: One of the core objectives of a custom checkout page is to convert store visitors into potential customers.
- Provides customization options: Based on your business type, you may customize your checkout flow by adding steps like upselling, cross-selling, offering add-ons, etc.
What are the types of checkout pages?
The design of a checkout page significantly influences the conversion rates and overall user experience. Here are some popular types of checkout pages.
1. Single-page checkout
As the name suggests, this is a one-page checkout page that simplifies the entire process by integrating all necessary steps including order review, billing info, and shipping details into a single page. Single-page checkout pages prioritize convenience and speed, helping customers quickly complete their purchases without navigating through different steps.
Pros:
- Processes checkout faster
- Reduces page loading time
- Offers fewer clicks
2. Custom checkout pages
Custom checkout creates a link between online businesses and customer demands. It allows you to modify the functionality and appearance of your checkout page to deliver tailored eCommerce solutions. In addition, you can also improve your online shopping experience with unique platforms like Simplified Checkout. It provides a comprehensive range of features to create a personalized checkout flow.
Pros:
- Provides bespoke solutions
- Increase conversion rates
- Reduces cart abandonment
3. Multi-step checkout pages
Multi-page checkout is a common format where the entire checkout flow is divided into several, simpler steps. This step-by-step process guides customers in sharing their information for final transactions. For example, customers might navigate through different screens to add shipping details, delivery options, discount coupons, etc.
Pros:
- Easy to navigate
- Less overwhelming
- Better user experience
Which to choose?
Choosing a shopping cart or a checkout page depends on your business type, customer base, and product offerings. Here are a few things to consider:
Choose a shopping cart if:
- You provide an extensive range of products
- Your customers want to purchase multiple products in one transaction
- You encourage additional product purchases before checkout
Choose a checkout page if:
- You want to increase conversion rates with less friction
- You need a streamlined process to minimize cart abandonment
- You provide a user-friendly shopping experience
Shopping cart and checkout pages both have significant benefits for eCommerce websites. Making the best choice can have a good impact on your business, from customer’s shopping experience to overall conversion rates. Try to consider how these two options align with the preferences and behavior of your target audience. Whether you want the flexibility of your shopping cart or the efficiency of a custom checkout page, the key is to deliver top-notch eCommerce solutions that encourage buyers to complete their purchases.
