Checkout abandonment is still one of the most expensive problems in e-commerce, especially for cross-border sales where roughly seven out of ten customers leave their carts before completing a purchase. The main reasons are unexpected costs, complicated checkout steps, limited payment choices, and concerns about delivery times. All of these tend to show up right at the conclusion of the purchase, just as the customer is ready to buy. The challenge for retailers is to remove these barriers while still maintaining a secure buying method.

Retailers can make major improvements by working with an e-commerce shipping provider, like Asendia USA, that also offers digital e-commerce solutions. These providers can customize the entire checkout experience for each shopper’s location. This means showing the local language throughout the checkout process to make it familiar and easy to navigate, displaying prices in the domestic currency for convenience and peace of mind, and offering the most-preferred payment methods in each market. Whether it is a local digital wallet, Buy Now Pay Later option, or a country-specific credit card, giving customers the payment method they trust can dramatically reduce abandonment.

On the delivery side, working with a provider that offers both digital e-commerce solutions as well as global shipping and returns is key. For example, Asendia USA offers DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping solutions which allow the e-tailer to charge all costs upfront, including duties, taxes, and shipping, so there are no unwelcome surprises. Offering a DDP shipping option to shoppers creates a more favorable customer experience, lowering cart abandonment and fostering loyalty.

By combining localized checkout experiences, transparent pricing, and flexible delivery and returns solutions, retailers can turn checkout from a frequent point of abandonment into a seamless interaction that encourages customers to complete their purchase and even return to shop again.