Mind the gap: Shoppers expect faster checkouts than they get

Checkout is the final hurdle that can stop a sale in its tracks. When it’s fast, low-friction, and convenient, a shopper is more likely to convert.

And become a loyal customer: 74% of consumers say no-hassle checkout is a primary driver of repeat purchases.1

PayPal wants to help merchants to understand the factors that influence conversion. So we asked IDC Research to survey 8,000 consumers and 740 small- and medium and large-sized businesses in Europe.2

What did we find? There’s ample room for improvement: 1 out of 3 merchants surveyed did not prioritise frictionless checkout.3 Compare that to the 93% of shoppers who highly value straightforward checkout.4

Less friction. More conversion.

When deciding where to shop, potential customers consider the checkout experience. They prioritise:5

  • Secure processing
  • User-friendly checkout
  • Availability of preferred/multiple payment options
  • Guest checkout

Shopper expectations remain high even after they’ve selected a business. Cart abandonment is a common occurrence. Causes include excessive data collection, too many steps, and hidden fees.6 Even minor friction can lead to customers stopping a purchase.

Align with shopper expectations

Upgrading checkout systems can be challenging. Complex checkouts can be difficult to streamline. And cybersecurity concerns can limit adoption of low-friction authentication.

But shoppers prefer quick, convenient checkout. More than 90% say it’s important to have:7

  • Secure payment processing
  • Frictionless checkout
  • Easy user authentication

Yet less than 70% of businesses prioritise these features in payment offerings.8

Close the gap with checkout built for conversion

A complete checkout makeover might seem overwhelming. But targeted checkout optimisation can address shoppers’ pain points without introducing new ones for business owners. To upgrade the shopper experience:

  • Eliminate manual data entry. Speed checkout by leveraging auto-fill.
  • Offer guest checkout. Give customers the simplicity, security, and flexibility they want.
  • Create consistent cross-channel experiences. Unify shopper info with checkout profiles that deliver a seamless omnichannel experience.
  • Enhance trust with secure checkout. Work with recognised payment service providers.

Ready to offer a checkout experience that customers love? Learn more about how PayPal is helping businesses to accelerate guest checkout with Fastlane.

Checkout at Lightning Speed IDC InfoBrief

Checkout at Lightning Speed IDC InfoBrief

Related content