As we all know, mobile users have short attention spans, so to improve conversions and reduce basket abandonment mobile checkouts need to be quick to load and simple to use.
In a recent analysis of the top 20 UK retailers' mobile checkouts we found that in general businesses are performing well, though forced registration still remains a common problem.
The criteria can be seen in more depth here, but essentially these are the most important criteria for creating a user-friendly mobile checkout:
- Don't make users register or create and account before checkout.
- Keep form filling to a minimum.
- Display a clear contact number and security reassurances to make sure users know the process is safe.
- Entering credit card details is a pain on mobile, so offer alternative payment methods such as PayPal.
With these criteria in mind, I took a look at Laura Ashley's new mobile site that went live last week...
How does it stack up?
Once you have selected your items, Laura Ashley gives options for 'Existing Login' or 'New Customer'.
'New Customer' is essentially a different way of saying 'Create New Account', but LA is sneaky as at no point does it mention that users are registering details or creating an account.
It follows best practice by keeping form filling to a minimum - you only have to enter your name, address, phone number, email address and password before moving onto the payment screen.
Laura Ashley further simplifies the process by using a postcode lookup tool and allowing customers to use the same address for billing and delivery.
The next page summarises the order information, including product details, total delivery cost and delivery address, before you click through to the final payment screen.
It's a simple process, although Laura Ashley only gives one delivery option. This is more a criticism of its overall e-commerce platform than its mobile checkout, but it would be useful offer customers an express delivery or a click-and-collect option.
The 'Standard Delivery' costs £4.50, which is quite steep, and it doesn't mention how long it will take to arrive. This is something that customers need to know.
However Laura Ashley redeems itself by allowing customers to pay for items using PayPal. Of the top 20 online retailers, only ASOS and New Look accept PayPal so Laura Ashley is in the minority of m-commerce sites that use alternative payments.
Conclusion
Laura Ashley has created a fast and user-friendly checkout process that should help increase mobile conversions.
While it requires users to create and account it doesn't actually tell users that they are registering – this will help avoid basket abandonment, as customers associate creating an account with form filling.
It also has a progress bar so users know how long they have left before the transaction is complete, and accepts PayPal.
The only minor criticisms are that the telephone number is hidden at the bottom of the screen and costs 10p per minute, and that there aren't enough delivery options.
These are small points though, and overall Laura Ashley's mobile checkout is among the best I have seen.
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