Checkout Process Statistics?

[hyperbuzzy]

Hello,

 

Does anyone know if there is any data available that shows a correlation between e-commerce sites with account creation requirements v's ones that dont allow a user to create an account and go straight to checkout?

 

The sites that I've built have a cart page, a checkout page where the user fills in all info (shipping is already calculated) and then hits "process order" where the card is charged.

 

I've been creating custom shopping carts for clients for the last few years and have never included a requirement to create an account.

 

I've been getting some enquiries for low cost online stores and have been looking for something like osCommerce to implement for these clients.

 

I have concerns about the account creation concept and would like to view some research on conversion rates.

 

Not too much to ask is it? :)

[Guest]

creating accounts helps to get the customer to return to purchase more products, from what i have seen. if you are worried about this, then use the purchase without account contribution which gives the customer an option. they still need to key in their info to the order area though, so just as well to create an account

[hyperbuzzy]

creating accounts helps to get the customer to return to purchase more products, from what i have seen.  if you are worried about this, then use the purchase without account contribution which gives the customer an option.  they still need to key in their info to the order area though, so just as well to create an account

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks Mibble.

 

Yes - I've seen the contribution and I think it's a good alternative.

 

I'm just wondering about the whole idea of account creation and not specifically osCommerce.

 

I think it is industry dependent as well.

 

For instance, if you had an online adult product store, the idea that the store owner has that information at their fingertips may make a buyer uncomfortable.

 

Even though the store owner has it if you dont have an account creation process, I think it forces the buyer to think about it a bit more...

[GraphicsGuy]

My site has the "Purchase Without Account" contribution installed so our customers can choose whether or not to set up an account. I just did a little looking into the database and it appears that approx. 83% of our customers chose to set up the account.

 

I present the choice to them along with the benefits of setting up an account. For example they can check back on the order status, recieve updates about the products, notifications of new products, etc.

[dreamscape]

The Nielsen Norman Group published some small reports/studies on eCommerce user experiences. One of them is titled "Checkout & Registration" which deals with this very issue. It is a couple years old but still very relevant to the eCommerce issues we face today. (ecommerce procedures haven't changed all that much in the past few years anyways).

[hyperbuzzy]

My site has the "Purchase Without Account" contribution installed so our customers can choose whether or not to set up an account.  I just did a little looking into the database and it appears that approx. 83% of our customers chose to set up the account.

 

I present the choice to them along with the benefits of setting up an account.  For example they can check back on the order status, recieve updates about the products, notifications of new products, etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks Mike,

 

I suppose thats a key element. If you explain the benefits then it does make sense to create an account.

 

Do you think you may have lost the 17% that didn't create an account if you didn't provide the option?

[hyperbuzzy]

The Nielsen Norman Group published some small reports/studies on eCommerce user experiences.  One of them is titled "Checkout & Registration" which deals with this very issue.  It is a couple years old but still very relevant to the eCommerce issues we face today. (ecommerce procedures haven't changed all that much in the past few years anyways).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Thanks Dreamscape. I found it here:

 

E-Commerce Usability Guidelines

 

I think I'll purchase it and have a good read.

[GraphicsGuy]

Do you think you may have lost the 17% that didn't create an account if you didn't provide the option?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is a difficult question with a purely speculative answer. We would probably have lost some of them, but due largely to the nature of our niche market and the typical demographic, most would have ordered anyway. But that is just my opinion.