How to Create a Positive User Experience: 5 Steps to a Convenient Order Form

The primary goal of any business is profit, which can only be achieved through high sales. When creating an e-commerce website, your first priority should be a convenient, clear, and transparent order form. Analysis shows that over 65% of attempts to place an order are abandoned, with some cases exceeding 90%. This represents a significant loss for your business, often due to an imperfect order form.

In this article, we will explore the standards in this area and demonstrate how to implement them effectively. By following these guidelines, you can increase the number of completed sales.

We offer five simple steps to enhance customer satisfaction during the order process. These steps will help reduce cart abandonment and increase repeat purchases in your online store.

Understand the Current Standards for a Positive Checkout Process 

There isn’t a definitive "Standard for creating an online store," but there are established rules. The ordering process should guide the user’s attention productively, based on their previous experience. It should be simple, intuitive, and provide all necessary information. When customers envision themselves owning an item and achieving their goals with it, they are more likely to complete the order. Your task is to keep them in this positive state.

Meet Customer Expectations

E-commerce has been around for over 20 years, creating a set of expected options for customers. These may vary slightly by business, but the general structure remains the same. The standard checkout process includes:

• Checking the list of products in the shopping cart.
• Proceeding to checkout.
• Entering contact information.
• Choosing a delivery method.
• Selecting a payment method.
• Order confirmation or a thank you page.

Let's explore how these stages are implemented in a well-designed online store that provides a positive user experience. Creating an open and transparent environment is key to building customer trust in your business. Focus on these crucial elements.

1. Create a Flexible and Informative Shopping Cart

Customers want to see what they’ve added to their cart, including the main characteristics of each item. Ensure your cart allows:

• Navigation to each product for verification.
• Tools for changing quantities or removing items.
• Dynamic recalculation of the final price without manual page reloads.
• A visible and perfectly functioning "Buy/Proceed to Checkout" button.

The more convenient this stage is, the more users will move on.

2. Offer a Simple User Design

Surveys indicate that over 15% of customers leave for competitors due to difficulties at checkout. To prevent this, ensure:

• Use of templates, prompts, and format checks to avoid incorrect information entry.
• A familiar data list with fewer forms and more autocomplete to avoid overwhelming users.
• Breaking the process into several logical pages to place all information on one screen, enhancing convenience.
• Adding a progress bar in a prominent place to keep users informed about the order process duration.
• Clear communication at every stage about what is happening and why.

By implementing these steps, you can create a positive user experience, boost customer satisfaction, and ultimately increase your sales.

3. Implement Guest Checkout Options

Not every customer wants to create an account. Offer a choice between using a personal account and guest checkout without any pressure or unnecessary insistence. Surveys indicate that nearly a quarter of all customers abandon their purchase if forced to create an account. Customers appreciate a respectful approach, which is key to successful commerce.

4. Provide Honest and Transparent Pricing Information

Transparency in pricing builds trust between the customer and the store. When customers see that the store provides truthful information without hidden costs, they are more likely to trust the business and make repeat purchases. Openness and honesty affect a business's reputation positively. A store with a good reputation will see more recommendations, while hidden costs can quickly tarnish a reputation and cause significant damage.

Ensure clarity in:

• The base price of the product, with explanations of any options affecting the final cost.
• Applicable taxes, if the buyer pays them separately.
• Delivery costs.
• Any other potential charges.

Transparent pricing helps customers make informed purchasing decisions, increasing conversions and average order value, which positively impacts profitability.

5. Ensure Responsive Design for Modern Online Stores

Over 70% of modern users shop online using mobile devices due to their convenience. Responsive design for order forms ensures ease of use across various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

When developing a responsive design:

• Test it on different devices and browser windows.
• Minimize the use of images and other resources that can slow down loading on mobile devices.

Choose Ready-Made WooCommerce Themes by 8Theme for a Quick Start in eCommerce

8Theme's ready-made WordPress templates incorporate best practices for creating an order form, ensuring convenience and efficiency for your online store users. Key features of these themes include:

• User-focused design with a simple and clear checkout interface, where required fields are structured for easy completion.
• Excellent responsiveness, allowing customers to place orders from any device, from desktops to smartphones. The order form remains convenient and functional regardless of screen size.
• Support for integration with popular payment systems, enabling customers to choose their preferred payment method, enhancing the user experience by making purchases quick and secure.
• Optimization for fast loading, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted checkout process, reducing cart abandonment due to long page loads.
• Integration with analytics tools to track user behavior during checkout, helping identify and address weaknesses in the process.

8Theme's ready-made WordPress themes offer a comprehensive solution for creating a convenient and efficient checkout process in your online store. Using these themes will provide your customers with the best shopping experience, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Explore our catalog of ready-made WooCommerce solutions and use the Live Preview feature to find the perfect theme for your store. Choose and order!