How to Optimise Your Cart and Checkout Page to Finalise Purchases

I’ve seen founders invest heavily in ads and product pages, only to lose customers at the very last step. Your cart and checkout page is where sales are either sealed—or abandoned. If it’s clunky, confusing, or too long, people leave.

Think about your own shopping habits. If checkout takes more than a couple of steps or asks for unnecessary details, chances are you bail. Your customers feel the same way. By keeping checkout simple, secure, and trustworthy, you reduce friction and increase conversions.

A Melbourne apparel startup I coached struggled with abandoned carts. Their old checkout had four steps: cart, shipping, payment, confirmation. We cut it to a one-page checkout with auto-updating totals, visible trust icons, and a sticky “Complete Purchase” button. Within six weeks, abandoned cart rates dropped 30% and revenue jumped.

The lesson? Keep it simple. Fewer steps equal more sales.

It’s the bridge between intent and revenue. The smoother it is, the more money you make.

What Exactly Is Cart and Checkout?

Your cart and checkout page is the final stage of your online shop—where customers confirm their order, enter payment, and finalise the purchase.

Core sections include:

• Product summary

• Quantity & pricing

• Shipping options

• Payment fields

• Promo code

• CTA to buy

Extra features that boost trust and conversions:

• Sticky CTA button (always visible)

• Auto-updating totals

• Progress bar (optional, for multi-step checkout)

• Trust icons (SSL, payment providers, guarantees)

In short: it’s the bridge between intent and revenue. The smoother it is, the more money you make.

Why This Could Make or Break Your Business

Lost revenue risk: Complicated checkouts are the #1 cause of cart abandonment.

Customer trust: Visible trust icons and secure payment fields reassure buyers.

Conversion rates: A streamlined one-page checkout significantly boosts completed orders.

Brand perception: A clunky process signals unprofessionalism; a smooth one signals credibility.

Real-World Examples

• A Sydney skincare business switched to a one-page checkout with auto-updating totals. Completed orders rose by 20% in a month.

• Meanwhile, a Gold Coast furniture brand required account sign-up before checkout. Many customers dropped out, and sales stalled. Removing the forced signup fixed it.

This page isn’t just functional—it’s where you prove to customers they made the right choice.

Before You Start

Prepare these before building your checkout:

• Product summary templates (images, titles, price).

• Shipping methods and rates.

• Payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Afterpay, etc.).

• Promo codes you’ll allow.

• Copy for your CTA button (“Complete Purchase”).

• Trust badges/icons.

• Decision: one-page vs multi-step checkout.

With these ready, you can build confidently.

How to Optimise Cart and Checkout:

Step by Step

Step 1: Simplify the Cart Layout

• Display product image, title, price, and quantity clearly.

• Show totals updating automatically.

• Add an “Edit” option without forcing a full restart. 

Result: Customers feel in control before paying.

Step 2: Design a One-Page Checkout (if possible)

• Combine shipping, payment, and confirmation on one page.

• Only ask for essential info.

• Keep forms short. 

Result: Fewer steps = more completed purchases.

Step 3: Add Payment and Shipping Options

• Offer multiple payment choices (card, PayPal, BNPL).

• Include flexible shipping speeds.

• Display estimated delivery dates. 

Result: Customers choose what suits them best.

Step 4: Include Promo Code Field and CTA

• Add a clear field for discount codes.

• Place a bold CTA button (“Finalise Your Purchase”)—make it sticky. 

Result: You encourage faster action and prevent hesitation.

Step 5: Build Trust with Icons and Confirmation

• Display SSL, payment provider logos, and money-back guarantee.

• Redirect to a thank-you page after purchase. 

Result: Customers trust you and feel reassured post-purchase.

Together, these steps turn checkout into a smooth finish instead of a last-minute roadblock.

Mistakes to Avoid

A Brisbane electronics store forced customers through a five-step checkout. Abandonment rates hit 70%. Too many steps kill conversions.

One founder forgot to add trust icons. Shoppers doubted security and left carts full. Always show secure payment symbols.

An online fitness gear shop hid shipping costs until the last step. Customers felt tricked and bounced. Show all costs upfront.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

You’ll need to budget for both money and time.

Here’s what founders usually face:

• DIY / In-house: $0–$50 AUD; 2–4 hours. Using built-in checkout options from Shopify/WooCommerce.

• Template/Resource: $50–$200 AUD; 2–3 hours. Pre-built one-page checkout templates.

• Professional / Done-for-you: $500–$2,500 AUD; 1–2 weeks. A designer customises a branded checkout experience.

  
  

• Ongoing / Renewal: $50–$200 AUD per year; 1–2 hours monthly. Gateway fees, security certificates, plugin updates.

Hidden Costs

• Lost revenue from abandoned carts.

• Lower trust without visible icons.

• Extra support tickets from confusing layouts.

Mentor Tip: Always keep checkout one-page if possible—fewer steps equal more conversions.

What to Do Next

✅ Grab the Checkout Optimiser Kit. Cart Flow Map, Trust Badge Placement Guide, Field Simplification Sheet, Payment Option Grid, and Abandonment Recovery Script. Build a checkout that converts browsers into buyers. [ProDesk.com]

✅ Done-For-You for Checkout Pages— Stop leaks at the finish line. We design checkout and cart pages that keep buyers moving — faster load times, fewer fields, and clear trust signals built in. You handle the product; we’ll make sure every click counts. [Noize.com.au]

✅ Your checkout isn’t a form — it’s a moment of truth. The StartupDeck helps you with layouts and structure for your web pages, like the checkout or cart, so you can close sales confidently. [theStartUpDeck.com]

By acting now, you’ll convert more visitors into paying customers.

The Bottom Line

Your cart and checkout page is where money changes hands. If it’s complicated, you’re leaving revenue on the table.

A clean, trustworthy, one-page checkout creates momentum and confidence. Every extra click you remove increases sales.

For founders in their first five years, this is one of the most critical optimisations you can make.

FAQs

Do I really need a one-page checkout? 

If possible, yes. One-page checkouts consistently outperform multi-step versions.

Should I offer multiple payment options? 

Yes. Customers expect at least card and PayPal. BNPL is a plus.

Do promo code fields hurt conversions? 

Not if they’re discreet. Just don’t make shoppers hunt for codes offsite.

What trust icons should I use? 

SSL padlock, credit card logos, PayPal, Afterpay, and any relevant guarantees.

Should totals update automatically? 

Yes. Auto-updating totals build transparency and reduce cart abandonment.