#casey bullock

[alazxh]

Strangers in Paradise propaganda. begging everyone to read this comic.

[retailtouchpoints]

The 4 Reasons Your Customers Are Leaving Your Site And Ditching Their Shopping Carts

By Casey Bullock, FIS

Online shopping surpassed in-store sales in the U.S. for the first time in history this past February, signifying changing tides for the world of retail and consumer preferences. With the rise of e-Commerce, consumers want more convenience and more options when it comes to fueling their retail desires. This phenomenon has gradually changed how they shop and their methodology for making purchases, but with that comes the effects of many consumers failing to close the loop upon checkout. Three out of four customers abandon their digital shopping carts before making a purchase, which makes it a trillion-dollar affair for e-Commerce merchants, according to a 2017 eMarketer report. In fact, retailers across the board see shopping cart abandonment as a high-priority concern, so what makes consumers go dark before closing the sale?

There are several reasons why a customer may drop their bag, but these four reasons are the most common, according to the FIS 2018 U.S. Consumer Behavior Report.

1.       They don’t have an account.

Understandably, retailers want every customer to set up an account. But forcing customers to create an account was cited in the report as the leading reason for abandoning a shopping cart. Data from the report suggests that 36% of survey respondents claimed they would bail on a purchase if required to create an account. Guest checkout options that speed them through the process can help reduce conversion drop-off.

2.       Extra charges for their payment method.

The shopping cart is the wrong time to surprise your customer with extra charges, especially for their choice of payment method. There is very likely a competitor who will cheerfully accept their payment at no additional cost. Almost one in three consumers abandoned a purchase for this reason, according to the report.

3.       Distrust around payment security on the website.

High-profile data breaches continue to spook consumers. Online shoppers must have absolute confidence that your site is secure before they will enter payment details, and in the FIS survey, over a quarter of respondents (26%) did not have confidence in the merchants they were buying from.

4.       Too much data entry.

Even having to enter address and payment information manually can be enough to end a sale before completion. Up to 25% percent of respondents indicated they abandon shopping carts if they have to input too many payment details. Consider offering digital wallet options like PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, VISA Checkout, Mastercard Masterpass or Amazon Pay to streamline the checkout process. These services enable autofill of key details at checkout and securely authenticate purchases without ever having to grab a card.

Grasping the causes and cures of shopping cart abandonment can help e-Commerce merchants boost conversions and increase sales at a time when the retail industry is more competitive than ever. For online merchants, it will take an omnichannel approach to persuade an end-to-end shopping experience and encourage consumers to check the box before leaving their site. Driving consumers to an e-Commerce page is one thing but coming full circle and completing the transaction takes thoughtful strategy and requires merchants to pave a clear path to purchase without hiccups or roadblocks. Based on the consumer behavior report findings, it is increasingly clear that a smooth and secure checkout experience is merchants’ golden ticket for earning — and keeping — happy customers.

Casey Bullock is General Manager, Global eCommerce – North Americas at FIS. His current responsibilities include managing all commercial personnel working directly with FIS clients in North America. Prior to FIS, Bullock was vice president, general manager fraud solutions for Chase Paymentech, and focused on the creation and delivery of enterprise-class fraud prevention capabilities into the e-Commerce marketplace.

[quietsimming]

The Bullocks

Casey: *stretching* “Hon, are any of your co-workers coming by today..?”

Gilbert: “Not since you nearly killed my boss the last time he was over....”

Casey: *pouts* “Why not? I promise not to do it again AND I apologized!”

Gilbert: “Dear...you nearly killed a man..”

Casey: “But..I didn’t kill him..I’m still not seeing the problem here..”

Gilbert: *sighs, smiling* “I love you.”

Casey: *smiles wide* “I love you too.”