7 Proven Secrets of High-Converting Checkouts

high-coverting-checkout.md

http://www.copyblogger.com/high-converting-checkouts/

1. High-converting checkouts make prices more palatable.
   • prices when they are listed without dollar signs
   • decreasing the size of the type in which you present a price can tweak the impression of the price amount — as if a price that looks small is small, and a price that looks big is big.
2. High-converting checkouts include free shipping (not just % off)
   • "we’ll pay your shipping."
3. High-converting checkouts make account creation feel less painful.
   • “Continue” button brought in 45 percent more sales than a “Register” button.
   • Modifying the language on the button to remove a friction-y sense of doing work
   • Adding a supporting line of copy explaining reasons to register and if registration is optional
4. High-converting checkouts keep forms super-lean and extra-smart.
   • If a field isn’t required, then what’s it doing in your cart?
   • Pre-populating as many fields as you can
   • Offering a tickbox if billing and shipping are the same, to reduce the need to complete two forms
   • Placing error messages near the point of error
   • Showing coupon code fields only to visitors arriving via email or affiliate links
   • Tell a reason why a field is important. Email address (so we can send you a receipt)
   • skeuomorphic design to minimize the friction created by most credit card forms in checkouts
5. High-converting checkouts make buttons do more than “proceed”
   • Ambiguity is friction – so get rid of it.
   • Stick with one button per page of your cart (plus a PayPal button on the payment page)
   • Optimize the Helsinki out of that one button
   • Turn all other buttons into text links that can’t be mistaken for actions that will move a user forward in your checkout
6. High-converting checkouts reassure prospects all the way to the last step
   • Studies have shown that website users, especially non-technical users, are generally not concerned about security until the moment they’re about to enter their credit card details.
7. High-converting checkouts stay in a prospect’s head from start to finish
   • Your visitors need to be reminded of the solution they’re about to purchase — and the value associated with it — throughout your checkout, not just when they enter the cart.