When a customer adds items to their cart but does not complete the purchase, this is known as an abandoned cart. There are a number of reasons why a customer might do this, such as being interrupted during the checkout process or simply changing their mind about the purchase. Whatever the reason, abandoned carts can be costly for businesses as they represent potential lost sales.
Shopify defines an abandoned cart as any order that has been started but not completed. This includes orders that have been abandoned during the checkout process as well as those where the customer has added items to their cart but not proceeded to checkout. For Shopify merchants, there are a few key ways to reduce the number of abandoned carts and improve sales.
1. Provide a streamlined checkout experience
One of the most common reasons for an abandoned cart is a complicated or time-consuming checkout process. Customers who are presented with too many steps or forms to fill out are more likely to abandon their cart and move on to another store.
To prevent this, merchants should streamline their checkout process and make it as easy as possible for customers to complete their purchase.
2. Offer multiple payment options
Another common reason for abandoned carts is that customers are not presented with their preferred payment method. Offering a variety of payment options will increase the chances that customers will find a method that works for them and be able to complete their purchase.
Common payment options include credit and debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
3. Provide shipping options
Customers who are presented with high shipping costs at checkout are also more likely to abandon their cart. To avoid this, merchants should offer a variety of shipping options with different price points.
This will give customers the flexibility to choose a shipping method that fits their budget and needs.
4. Send abandoned cart emails
One of the best ways to recover lost sales from abandoned carts is to send abandon cart emails. These emails remind customers of the items they left in their cart and provide a link back to the checkout page so they can easily complete their purchase. For best results, merchants should send abandon cart emails within 24 hours of abandonment.
What Does Shopify Consider an Abandoned Cart
When a customer adds items to their cart but does not complete the purchase, this is known as an abandoned cart. Whatever the reason, abandoned carts can be costly for businesses as they represent potential lost sales.
How Shopify Defines an Abandoned Cart
- Shopify defines an abandoned cart: “as any order that has been started but not completed.” This includes orders that have been abandoned during the checkout process as well as those where the customer has added items to their cart but not proceeded to checkout.”
How You Can Reduce The Number Of Abandoned Carts In Your Store
- 1.: Provide A Streamlined Checkout Experience
“One of the most common reasons for an abandoned cart is a complicated or time-consuming checkout process,” says Shopify.
 To prevent this from happening in your store, you’ll want to streamline your checkout experience and make it as easy as possible for customers to complete their purchase.
 You can do this by minimizing the number of steps in your checkout process, making sure your forms are easy to understand and filling out, and providing helpful guidance along the way.
“Customers who are presented with too many steps or forms to fill out are more likely to abandon their cart,” says Shopify.
“To prevent this..merchants should streamline.their.checkout process.” -Shopify
“You can do this by minimizing.the number of steps in your.” -Shopify
“Making sure [your] forms are easy.to understand and fill[ing] out.” -Shopify
- 2.: Offer Multiple Payment Options
“Another common reason for.abandoned carts is that customers.are not presented with.their preferred payment method.” -Shopify
“Offering.a variety of payment options will increase.the chances that customers will find [a] method that works for them.” -Shopify
- Some common payment options include credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay,.and more.
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- 3.: Provide Shipping Options
> "Customers who are presented with high shipping costs at checkout are also more likely .to abandon [their] cart[s]."
