Why are shoppers leaving your online store?

Shopping online has become an increasingly popular trend, as more and more people opt to purchase products through ecommerce websites instead of traditional brick and mortar stores. However, despite the growth in online shopping, many ecommerce websites still struggle to retain customers. There are a variety of reasons why shoppers leave websites, some of which can be remedied with simple changes, while others require more extensive overhauls.

Here are the top 10 reasons why you're losing customers: 

1. Slow website speed: Customers will not tolerate slow loading times and will quickly move on to another site if a page takes too long to load.
2. Poor website design: A cluttered, confusing, or unattractive website will turn customers off and send them searching for another site.
3. Difficult navigation: If customers cannot find what they are looking for, they will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site.
4. Lack of product information: If customers do not have access to the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions, they will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site.
5. High shipping costs: Customers are increasingly looking for the best deals, and if a site has higher shipping costs than its competitors, they will quickly move on to another site.
6. Limited payment options: If customers are limited in the payment methods they can use, they will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site.
7. Complicated checkout process: If the checkout process is confusing or difficult to complete, customers will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site.
8. No trust signals: Lack of trust signals such as security certificates, privacy policy, and contact information can cause customers to hesitate in making a purchase and leave the website.
9. No mobile optimization: With increasing use of mobile devices, customers expect websites to be optimized for mobile, and lack of it can cause them to leave.
10. No customer support: Lack of customer support such as live chat or contact information can cause customers to hesitate in making a purchase and leave the website.

One of the biggest reasons that shoppers leave websites is slow website speed. With so many options available, customers will not tolerate slow loading times and will quickly move on to another site if a page takes too long to load. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including large images, too many plugins, and poor website optimization. To remedy this, ecommerce websites should focus on streamlining their pages and improving their website speed, which can be achieved through techniques such as compressing images, using a reliable hosting provider, and optimizing website code.

Another reason that shoppers leave websites is poor website design. A cluttered, confusing, or unattractive website will turn customers off and send them searching for another site. To address this issue, ecommerce websites should invest in professional website design that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. This can be achieved through the use of clean lines, clear typography, and a color scheme that is consistent with the brand.

Difficult navigation is another common reason why shoppers leave websites. If customers cannot find what they are looking for, they will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site. To remedy this, ecommerce websites should have a clear and intuitive navigation system, with well-defined categories and subcategories that make it easy for customers to find what they are looking for. This can be achieved through the use of clear, descriptive headers, and a search bar that is easy to use.

Lack of product information is another common reason why shoppers leave websites. If customers do not have access to the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions, they will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site. To remedy this, ecommerce websites should provide detailed product descriptions, specifications, and images that give customers all the information they need to make an informed purchase.

High shipping costs are another major reason why shoppers leave websites. Customers are increasingly looking for the best deals, and if a site has higher shipping costs than its competitors, they will quickly move on to another site. To address this issue, ecommerce websites should offer competitive shipping rates, or even offer free shipping for orders over a certain amount. This can be achieved through negotiations with shipping carriers, or by including shipping costs in the overall cost of products.

Outdated payment methods are another reason that shoppers leave websites. If customers do not see their preferred payment methods listed, they will quickly move on to another site. To remedy this, ecommerce websites should offer a variety of payment options, including popular payment gateways like PayPal and credit cards, as well as newer options like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. This will give customers the flexibility they need to make purchases quickly and easily.

Limited payment options is another reason that shoppers leave websites. If customers are limited in the payment methods they can use, they will quickly become frustrated and move on to another site. To address this issue, ecommerce websites should offer a variety of payment options, including popular payment gateways like PayPal and credit cards, as well as newer options like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. This will give customers the flexibility they need to make purchases quickly and easily.

A complicated checkout process can be one of the biggest turn-offs for customers, causing them to abandon their shopping carts and leave the website. This can include a long and confusing form to fill out, multiple steps to complete the purchase, and unexpected fees or charges added at the end of the process. To avoid this, ecommerce websites should simplify their checkout process as much as possible, reducing the number of steps required to complete a purchase, and clearly communicating any fees or charges that may apply.

A clear call to action (CTA) is an important element of any website, as it guides customers towards taking a specific action, such as making a purchase. If an online store does not have a clear CTA, customers may become confused or unsure of what they are supposed to do next, causing them to leave the website. To avoid this, ecommerce websites should include a prominent and eye-catching CTA on their product pages, such as "Add to Cart" or "Buy Now."

Some customers prefer to make purchases without creating an account, as it can be seen as an extra step in the process that they would rather skip. If an online store does not offer a guest checkout option, these customers may choose to go elsewhere, causing them to leave the website. To avoid this, ecommerce websites should offer a guest checkout option, allowing customers to make a purchase without creating an account. This can improve the customer experience, as it reduces the number of steps required to complete a purchase and ensures that the checkout process is quick and easy.