Guest checkout without account creation

The option for a customer to complete a purchase without creating a registered account—known as guest checkout—is a critical feature for e-commerce stores targeting the consumer market (B2C). Abicart's platform is designed to provide this flexibility, catering to shoppers who prioritize speed and convenience over creating a persistent profile.

The Value of Guest Checkout

By default, Abicart is configured to allow customers to shop as a "guest" without requiring a mandatory login. This voluntary login approach delivers multiple sales-driving benefits:

• Higher Conversion Rates: Removing the forced requirement for registration eliminates a significant hurdle in the checkout funnel, thereby helping to boost conversion rates and lower cart abandonment, which is estimated to be over 35% when registration is mandatory.

• Speed and Convenience: Guest checkout requires only the basic information—such as contact, billing, and shipping details—making the transaction notably faster, especially for users on mobile devices or those with a slow internet connection.

• Appeals to New Buyers: Shoppers making their first purchase or those with low trust in a brand are often reluctant to share extensive personal data. Guest checkout provides a safe, low-commitment avenue to complete their transaction.

• Encourages Impulse Purchases: The simplified and rapid nature of the process facilitates impulse buying by quickly converting the decision to purchase into a completed sale.

When to Consider Customer Login

While guest checkout is ideal for maximizing B2C conversions, Abicart offers customer login for instances when a registered account provides necessary functionality or long-term value. This feature is particularly beneficial for:

• Business-to-Business (B2B) Sales: B2B models often necessitate accounts to manage customized product ranges, individual price lists, or special terms for retailers.

• Personalized Shopping Experience: Registered customers gain access to "My Pages," where they can track orders, save favorite products, create shopping lists, and receive a more tailored experience.

Configuring Your Checkout

The choice between enforcing or simply offering login is managed through your system settings:

• Voluntary Login (Guest Checkout Enabled): The recommended default setting is "No login required for full access to the store." Customers may register if they choose, but they are equally free to "shop as a guest".

• Mandatory Login (Guest Checkout Disabled): Choosing "Login required to view prices and place orders" locks the entire store behind a login form, meaning a customer must create an account or log in to view prices or purchase anything. This is usually only advisable for exclusive B2B environments.

You have the flexibility to offer both, providing new customers with the convenient speed of a guest checkout and offering registration after purchase to convert them into repeat customers with saved details.