Version 10 will include a new and more streamlined checkout, which has been designed to bring the whole Actinic checkout process up to date, and to address the main criticisms of it.
Some customers requested a single-page checkout. We gave careful consideration to this in the planning process, but decided against it for several reasons.
• The only way to achieve it with Actinic’s current static HTML architecture would be to use JavaScript. This would mean the checkout would fail for the 5% or so of shoppers who have JavaScript disabled – reducing everyone’s sales by 5%.
• Almost all the major, recognized and most successful online retailers have multi-page checkouts.
• Of the many customers we consulted, only a minority supported the single-page option, and we did not have the resources to develop two alternatives.
Some elements of the new checkout do use JavaScript for improved presentation, but the checkout will function from end to end even if it is disabled.
The main changes planned are:
1. The initial page requesting country information is eliminated. In keeping with most other stores, the checkout makes a sensible assumption about the shoppers location, based on information from the cookie if present, or customer account information, or the nationality of the site itself.
2. The layout of information is rationalized; with address details captured on the first page, and other information captured on the second.
3. The list of US States will no longer be presented to non-US shoppers. The county / state list will be country dependent.
4. Provided JavaScript is enabled, separate invoice and delivery addresses will be displayed together on the same page.
5. The third page is an order confirmation, displaying a summary of all the information provided, with options to change each part if required.
6. The PSP bounce page will be eliminated.
7. The overall design and appearance of the checkout will be improved and updated.
So the new checkout will have two data entry pages, and three pages overall; compared with the current four data entry pages, and five pages overall where a PSP is used.
Some customers requested a single-page checkout. We gave careful consideration to this in the planning process, but decided against it for several reasons.
• The only way to achieve it with Actinic’s current static HTML architecture would be to use JavaScript. This would mean the checkout would fail for the 5% or so of shoppers who have JavaScript disabled – reducing everyone’s sales by 5%.
• Almost all the major, recognized and most successful online retailers have multi-page checkouts.
• Of the many customers we consulted, only a minority supported the single-page option, and we did not have the resources to develop two alternatives.
Some elements of the new checkout do use JavaScript for improved presentation, but the checkout will function from end to end even if it is disabled.
The main changes planned are:
1. The initial page requesting country information is eliminated. In keeping with most other stores, the checkout makes a sensible assumption about the shoppers location, based on information from the cookie if present, or customer account information, or the nationality of the site itself.
2. The layout of information is rationalized; with address details captured on the first page, and other information captured on the second.
3. The list of US States will no longer be presented to non-US shoppers. The county / state list will be country dependent.
4. Provided JavaScript is enabled, separate invoice and delivery addresses will be displayed together on the same page.
5. The third page is an order confirmation, displaying a summary of all the information provided, with options to change each part if required.
6. The PSP bounce page will be eliminated.
7. The overall design and appearance of the checkout will be improved and updated.
So the new checkout will have two data entry pages, and three pages overall; compared with the current four data entry pages, and five pages overall where a PSP is used.
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