Finishing a marathon is a euphoric feeling. On Monday, 28,000 runners hit the pavement for the 126th Boston Marathon. They say another action cannot match the sense of accomplishment passing that line gives to a runner. Similarly, the euphoric feeling of an order placed for a business owner is hard to supersede.
Running a marathon doesn't end when you pin on your bib; comparably, acquiring a customer doesn't end when they hit the cart symbol in the top right corner of your webpage. A customer is acquired when they select their shipping lane and finalize the order. "Winning" a customer occurs in the checkout process… the best way to guarantee a win is to set expectations. Never make customers guess; clarity is your best friend.
According to Shopify, shipping transparency of delivery times and shipping costs came in second only to price when it comes to why customers completed purchases in 2021. Meaning displaying consumers' fully landed shipping costs and a multi-lane check-out experience are not a "do I need to offer this" but "how soon can I?"
Put yourself in a consumer's shoes – which check-out experience do you prefer? The cart on the left gives you a single option, arriving who knows when, or the cart on the right displays three options that tell you when your item will arrive.
Clear communication about delivery times is vital. Displaying a date when a customer should expect a package and following through is likely your best route to a five-star review.
Many brands now offer a slow, back-end, cost-saving, and sometimes environmentally-friendly free shipping lane. They partner the free lane with multiple paid lanes that allow consumers to pick what is most important to them, timing or cost.
By partnering with a company that allows you to connect to multiple carriers you can ensure that you're able to get the best rates and best expedited options for your customers. Using BUKU's software you can decrease cart abandonment and exceed customer expectations.
Many retailers run into hiccups when shipping internationally or have heard daunting stories that deter them from expanding their business. With nearly 60% of Shopify consumers in Europe, Asia Pacific, The Middle East, and Africa, the chance to increase your daily order count by offering reliable international shipping is transitioning from a nicety to a necessity.
BUKU's checkout CX solution, IntelliRate, allows you to offer DDP and accurately estimate all taxes and duties, displaying that total in the cart. In addition, BUKU's European subsidiary files IOSS for you, making international growth seamless.
Most e-commerce businesses prepare for the race, they market the race to bring the crowds, and they have an enticing product to draw in the crowd, but they just might be discounting how critical the final miles of acquiring a customer can be. That's why BUKU exists. We help you focus on what you do best – attracting customers – while we optimize your check-out experience and increase the number of customers passing the finish line.
Want to learn more about how BUKU can help your business?
Statistics from: Shopify eCommerce Market Credibility Study, 2021
Imagery from: Jennifer McDermott/The Associated Press