Nobody really likes parting with their money, which means payments processes which are long and complicated are going to make it even less likely that customers will spend their hard-earned cash on your products and services. Payments should always be quick and easy so customers can get what they need at the moment they need them.
If you’ve never thought much about your payments process, you might be turning away sales without even knowing it. These tips will help you to streamline the buying journey for all your customers.
4 Way to make Payments Easier for Your Customers (and make more sales!)
Offer multiple ways to pay
Not everyone wants to pay in the same way, so giving your customers a choice will make them more likely to complete their transactions. If you have a physical shop, make sure you have a card reader. While some customers will still pay with cash, this is becoming less and less common. Taking multiple types of card payments as well as Apple Pay will help you to capture more sales and avoid people walking out of your shop disappointed.
For online payments, it’s advisable to offer services like Paypal or Klarna in addition to card payments. These payment methods might require a small fee, but they make paying faster and can feel more secure to customers who don’t like parting with their card details.
Be transparent about delivery charges
There’s nothing worse than getting to the end of the payment process and finding out that there’s a hefty delivery charge. While you might think that customers will simply check out anyway, they’re more likely to abandon their whole shopping cart. Have a section of your website that clearly states delivery terms or have a banner at the top of the screen advertising a minimum spend for free delivery.
Enable account creation
To make payments easier for returning customers, have the option on your website of creating an account. This means that instead of having to input details, again and again, returning customers will be able to check out with just a few clicks. Make sure your site is equipped with security and encryption in order to keep all their details safe and avoid data breaches.
Make the process shorter
The more steps a checkout process has the less likely a customer is to see it through until the end. Try to stick to the point and collect the most important information as efficiently as possible. This could mean having a ‘find my address’ button that means customers don’t have to manually type their street name and city. Avoid having lots of text and keep instructions clear and easy to understand. Essential information includes the total customers are paying for their order and delivery times.
It’s also a good idea to let customers know where they are in their payment journey by numbering the steps at the top of the page. This way they can tell that they’re close to the finish line, making them more likely to finish their transaction.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making payments easier for your customers is a crucial aspect of running a successful business. By offering multiple ways to pay and being transparent about delivery charges, you can increase customer satisfaction and trust.
Enabling account creation and making the process shorter also helps streamline the payment process, making it more convenient for customers to complete their transactions. By implementing these four tips, you can not only improve the customer experience but also increase your sales and revenue.
