When it comes to e-commerce, the checkout is where browsers become buyers and where a lot of sales slip away.
In Australia, mobile dominates in visits: mobile traffic now accounts for a very large share of visits in many stores. However, conversion rates on mobile tend to lag behind desktop, largely because of friction, complicated forms, or clunky payment steps.
For example, mobile e-commerce conversion rates hover around ~2.8–2.9 % (versus higher on desktop) and mobile cart abandonment rates can spike to ~85 %. (Source) Every extra field, each unclear step, or payment failure is a lost opportunity.
For makers with a smaller scale, every lost sale hurts. A smooth, user-centred checkout experience can significantly reduce abandonment and boost conversion.
Checkouts gotta be easy (yep, like Sunday morning)
When you examine your checkout flow, keep these user experience & psychology principles in mind:
- Minimise steps and fields: Only ask for what you absolutely need (name, address, payment). Each extra field is cognitive load that prevents conversion.
- Show progress and context: Use progress bars or clear steps so users know how many steps remain, and manage expectations (we’ve said it before and we’ll no doubt say it again).
- Inline validation and live feedback: Let users know immediately if a field is wrong. Don’t force them to submit a form first. Frustration leads to abandoned carts.
- Mobile-first layout: Large “tap zones”, responsive design, avoid side scrolls, use native input types (e.g. numeric keypad for postcode, date pickers).
- Offer express / one-click payments: Let customers skip full form completion by using payment options that transmit details (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, etc.).
- Payment diversity: Some customers prefer BNPL (Afterpay, Zip), some prefer card, some PayPal, providing choice to your online customers can reduce drop-off.
- Trust signals: Display an SSL lock icon, “secure payment”, recognised payment logos, and reviews during checkout to reassure customers who are uncertain.
- Persistent cart and recovery: Allow users to leave and return; send abandoned cart emails or SMS reminders. Do not empty carts too quickly or you risk customers not shopping with you purely if they’ve been distracted after sorting their whole Christmas list in your store.
- Dynamic shipping / tax calculations: Show accurate rates early; avoid surprises at final step, manage delivery time expectations.
- Test and monitor: Use your own analytics / look at website usage heatmaps / perform A/B tests if you’re feeling adventurous to see where drop-offs happen.
Shopify apps good for Australian makers
- RecoverMyCart
Automates abandoned cart recovery: sends reminder emails, exit-intent popups, cross-device cart sync.
Pros: Easy to set up, good templates, works with most themes.
Watch out: Cost per month; check how well it handles local (AUD) settings. - Back2Cart
Tracks live cart activity, lets you convert an abandoned cart into a draft order that you can follow up on.
Pros: Useful for “manually-guided recovery” when automation isn’t enough.
Watch out: The free / low-tier caps may limit how many carts you can track. - Keeper — Recover Abandoned Carts
Remembers carts across devices (for customers who browse on mobile then desktop, or vice versa).
Pros: Free / lightweight, helps reduce friction for customers switching devices.
Watch out: It’s a more specialised tool, you’ll still want a full recovery workflow. - XTND Abandoned Cart Recovery
Automates cart recovery emails, tab notifications (reminding users when they leave), and basic analytics.
Pros: Adds “nudge” techniques (tab notifications) which many simpler apps skip.
Watch out: Make sure it plays nicely with your theme and that email deliverability is good. - Cartly / Care Cart (aka Cartly Abandoned Cart Recovery)
Helps recover abandoned carts via email reminders, popups, etc.
Pros: Simple interface, reasonable pricing.
Watch out: Basic plans might limit features (e.g. number of emails, templates). - Shopify’s built-in Abandoned Checkout Recovery
Shopify includes basic abandoned cart recovery features (automated email reminders) in many plans already.
Pros: No extra app needed (if your plan supports it), integrated, familiar interface.
Watch out: It’s quite basic. You’ll lack features like popups, SMS, push notifications, or advanced triggers. - Volt / PayTo one-click checkout
A newer real-time payments / one-click checkout option in Australia for Shopify stores.
Pros: Makes repeat buying super fast, customers won’t need to re-enter details.
Watch out: It’s new. Check stability, support, and whether your store setup supports it. - CartDNA PayTo app
Lets you add PayTo (real-time bank payments) to your Shopify checkout in Australia.
Pros: Gives customers a direct, trusted bank payment option.
Watch out: Make sure reconciliation, refunds, and payouts play nicely with your accounting.
Tips for choosing and using checkout apps
Local currency and fees support: Ensure the app handles AUD, doesn’t force expensive USD conversions or hidden fees.
Integration with Shopify Payments / local gateways: If you’re already using Shopify Payments / common Australian gateways, check that the app plays nicely (no conflicts or additional transaction fees).
Mobile performance: The added scripts (popups, tracking) shouldn’t slow down mobile checkout.
Email deliverability: Especially for recovery apps, check that your reminder emails are reaching inboxes (not spam).
Test your theme: Always trial new apps on a staging or unpublished theme version first, checkout is delicate.
Analytics and attribution: You need clear reporting on how many carts were recovered to know if the app pays for itself.
Support and reliability: Because checkout is critical, you want responsive support in your time zone (or close) in case anything breaks.
Fallback behaviour: If the app fails or is uninstalled, your store should still have a functional checkout.
Think of your customer, always
As you optimise, always keep your customer’s tech comfort and personal context top of mind:
- Device use: Many will be browsing and buying via mobile so make sure everything works flawlessly on phones.
- Internet speed / data constraints: Avoid heavy scripts, too many large images, or form features that slow things down.
- Familiar payment methods: If your audience is used to Afterpay / credit card / PayPal in Australia, make sure these are front and centre.
- Trust and credibility: Makers often sell niche items so customers may need more reassurance. Use badges, testimonials, alerts about secure checkout, and make sure the customer knows that they’re in good hands.
- Testing with real users: Ask a few existing customers to run through the checkout on their phones, narrating obstacles.
Optimising your checkout is not a “set and forget” task, it’s an ongoing process of removing friction, listening to customers, and adjusting.
Small improvements (removing one field, adding express pay, reducing page loads) can make a noticeable difference in abandoned carts and conversions. Now’s as good a time as any to sort it out, especially with you-know-what 🎄just around the corner.
Logged-in members have access to further learning below.
Ready to join? It’s only $9 per month. Get started.
