The cart abandonment rate in the eCommerce industry is over 70%. With the influx of new businesses and more options, don’t be surprised if it crosses ninety.
These numbers are similar for both Shopify stores and mobile apps. However, mobile apps often do a better job recovering abandoned carts. But why wait for recovery when you can prevent it altogether?
The good news is that Shopify businesses can reduce their cart abandonment rate by 30% & gain a huge advantage over their competitors.
How do you prevent it, then?
The answer lies in implementing frictionless checkout. By removing the mental blockers, you can make it easy for customers to complete their purchases. And increase their likelihood to do so.
In this blog, we’ll share actionable tips to create a seamless checkout process for your Shopify mobile app.
Let’s make abandoned carts a thing of the past!
Why do customers abandon their shopping carts?
Before we go on to fix the cart abandonment problem, it’s crucial to know why it happens. Let’s look at some key reasons behind this behavior.
1. Shopping is exciting, but complicated checkouts kill that momentum
When customers are forced to jump through too many hoops, they lose interest. Long forms, multiple steps, or unnecessary redirects disrupt their flow, leading to frustration and, ultimately, abandonment.
Or, to be honest, it could be as simple as getting a text from a friend and forgetting about the cart.
2. Hidden fees are a deal-breaker
When customers see unexpected shipping costs, taxes, or other charges at the last moment, they feel blindsided. This lack of transparency leads many to ditch their carts before clicking “Buy Now.”
3. Not everyone pays the same way
Some prefer credit cards, while others rely on wallets or BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) services. If your app doesn’t offer diverse payment methods, customers may leave to shop somewhere more accommodating.
4. Account Creation Hurdles
Forcing customers to create an account before checking out? That’s an instant roadblock. Many shoppers just want a quick purchase, not a commitment. Offering guest checkout can help keep them on track.
5. Slow or Unresponsive Checkout Pages
If the checkout page of your Shopify mobile app is slow or it’s glitchy, customers won’t wait around. A seamless, fast-loading experience is crucial to keeping them engaged. If they’re not engaged, they leave.
Understanding these barriers is the first step to solving cart abandonment. Next, we’ll explore how to create a frictionless checkout experience that keeps customers happy—and their carts full.
What is Frictionless Checkout in a Shopify Mobile App?
A frictionless checkout is a smooth, hassle-free way for customers to complete their purchases. It removes unnecessary steps and keeps the process simple.
In a Shopify mobile app, this means fast loading times, minimal form fields, and clear navigation. Customers can quickly add their details, select payment options, and place their orders without delays.
It also supports features like auto-fill, guest checkout, and saved payment methods. These conveniences make buying easy and stress-free.
The goal is simple: no frustration, no distractions—just a quick and easy journey from cart to confirmation. This is how you turn browsers into buyers.
Here’s what an ideal flow should look like:
How to Create a Frictionless Checkout Experience in Your Shopify Mobile App
So to create a frictionless checkout experience, we have to take everything that hurts the experience and not do it. Simple, right?
But you wouldn’t believe the number of businesses doing it wrong all the time.
Here’s why customers are exiting from the checkout page:
1. The pricing should be well defined before pre-checkout and on checkout
No one likes surprises at checkout. If customers see an item priced at $50 but the total jumps to $70 with shipping and taxes, they might abandon the purchase.
Be transparent about pricing upfront. Show whether the price includes or excludes taxes and delivery charges on the product page. If shipping costs vary, provide estimates or an easy-to-use calculator.
For international shipping, clarify if customs or additional taxes apply. A clear breakdown of all costs on the checkout page can reassure buyers who are skeptical about buying from foreign brands.
Brands like Bellroy excel at this by keeping pricing expectations very simple:
2. Make the Shopify mobile app sign-in one-click
Many customers abandon their carts because they don’t want to create an account or verify their contact details.
This process can feel tedious, especially on mobile devices.
Offer one-click sign-in options, such as social logins through Google, Facebook, or Apple. These methods are faster and reduce the effort required to set up an account.
By simplifying sign-in, you lower the barriers to completing a purchase. Less friction means higher chances of conversion.
3. Show product thumbnail and summary on the checkout page
Reminding customers of what they’re buying can reinforce their decision. Display product thumbnails, names, prices, quantities, and key details directly on the checkout page.
Large but unobtrusive thumbnails keep the page clean and visually appealing. Adding expandable summaries lets users see more information without leaving the checkout page.
This small yet impactful detail can reduce second thoughts. And we’ve tested it to find that it prevents customers from going back to double-check their cart.
4. Give shoppers an option to edit the cart - without leaving the checkout page
Sometimes customers need to make quick changes, like adjusting quantities or removing items. Forcing them to leave the checkout page to do so can disrupt their flow.
Instead, provide in-page cart editing options. Use intuitive controls like plus/minus buttons or clear edit icons (e.g., a pencil for edits or a trash bin for removals).
Ensure updates are reflected instantly in the total price. Visual feedback, like a spinner or checkmark, can help reassure users that their changes are being processed.
By reducing disruptions, you encourage customers to stay focused and complete their purchases.
5. Don’t make them fill the address everytime they want to buy
Filling out an address form repeatedly can make customers reconsider their purchase. It slows them down, giving them second thoughts. This is especially bad if they’re acting on impulse.
Make your checkout forms quick and easy. Use Google Address auto-fill to save time. Customers can type a few characters, and the app completes the rest.
Save the address in your app for future purchases. This way, returning customers won’t have to fill it out again.
It’s a small step, but it makes a big difference. Convenience leads to more completed checkouts.
6. Integrate one-click checkout in your Shopify mobile app
Less is always more on the Shopify mobile app checkout page. Fewer steps mean fewer chances for customers to abandon their carts.
One-click checkout is the best solution for this problem. With Shopify’s Shop Pay, you can store customer information like email, shipping address, and payment details. Customers only enter this information once.
On their next visit, everything is auto-filled. They simply confirm the purchase. This streamlined process reduces friction and increases Shopify mobile app conversions.
Want 1.72 times more conversions on your Shopify mobile app? Integrate Shop Pay. It’s simple, fast, and effective.
7. Make sure that the whole Shopify mobile app is fast
Speed is key. Slow-loading apps frustrate customers. A laggy checkout page creates trust issues.
If buying takes so long, how long will delivery take? Thoughts like this can drive customers away. They might uninstall your app and never return.
Fast loading times improve customer satisfaction. They make checkout frictionless and increase trust in your brand.
Ensure your app is optimized for speed. A fast app means fewer abandoned carts and happier customers.
Also Read: How to Optimize Your Shopify Mobile App for Faster Load Times
8. Reduce form fields on your Shopify mobile app checkout page
Too many form fields scare customers away. Research by Baymard shows that most ecommerce sites need only eight fields, but many use 12 or more.
Fewer fields mean a smoother checkout experience. Keep it simple. Only include essential fields, like name, address, and payment information.
Avoid overwhelming customers at the final step. Provide a clear overview of what’s in the cart and what comes next. Allow for quick changes without leaving the page.
Less confusion equals more completed checkouts.
9. BNPL option to reduce checkout abandonment rate
BNPL services make shopping more affordable. Customers can split payments over time, often with no interest or fees.
Millennials and Gen Z love BNPL. They prefer it over credit cards and like avoiding extra costs.
How to reduce checkout cart abandonment with BNPL:
- Show the BNPL option clearly on the checkout page.
- Offer perks like Shopify discounts or free shipping for BNPL users.
- Promote BNPL in your emails, app push notifications, social media, and banners to spread the word.
BNPL makes purchases less intimidating and increases the chances of checkout success, given that you’ve integrated the right payment mobile payment partners in your Shopify mobile app.
Build Conversion-Focused Shopify Mobile Apps with Appbrew!
Cart abandonment isn’t just about the checkout page. It’s about the entire experience customers have while exploring your app.
A slow, clunky app or confusing navigation can lead to lost sales.
When you turn your Shopify store into a mobile app with Appbrew, you’ll see a drop in cart abandonment rates. Our apps are lightning-fast, offer frictionless checkout, easy navigation, and keep your customers engaged with your brand.
Plus, Appbrew supports all your existing Shopify integrations and lets you add new ones to enhance performance.
Ready to improve your mobile app experience and boost conversions? Book a demo today!
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