Shopping Carts

How many steps should it take to checkout?

[HyperGeek]

I've just written a pretty in-depth proprietary cart system for a client and I was wondering if you guy could give me feedback on the checkout process.

This is how it's currently laid out (after you have added merch. to your cart of course):

Step 1: Shipping & Billing Info (with the option to clone one to the other - review of cart content)

Step 2: Shipping & Billing Methods (along with a review of Step 1 and cart contents)

Step 3: Total with shipping charges & Credit Card info (or address to send the money order to - including review of Step 1 and cart contents)

Step 4: Final Review of all shipping and billing info including total with shipping, et al. (with button to finalize order).

Step 5: Thank You, Invoice, & customer service phn.#.

What do you think of this process?

Have you seen something better (in less steps)?

[Nick_W]

I'd try to merge steps one and two. Shouldn't be so hard and will speed the process up a little...

Nick

[NFFC]

HyperGeek we have [mostly] the same number of clicks as you, the difference is that in our case it is from the homepage to the confirmation page. Imho I think you need to cut down the number of clicks you are using, be ruthless it will pay off.

[mahlon]

We have 3 clicks for ours, I agree about merging 1 & 2. I have heard a lot from folks who like to keep it to 3 steps no more.

[HyperGeek]

Thanks for your suggestions.

The process is a lot simpler now and lessening the steps actually helped to iron out a few problems that I was having with configuring shipping options.

Step 1: Shipping & Billing Info (with the option to clone one to the other - review of cart content), along with Shipping Method.

Step 2: Payment Method & CC Info (along with a review of Step 1 and cart contents and grand total including shipping costs.)

Step 3: Thank You, Invoice, & customer service phn.#., inhouse e-mail notification of order.

Tight! :)

[Nick_W]

Looks good to me. Any more than three steps and I get narky!

Nick