6 Reasons Why Shoppers Abandon Their Carts

Do you have users visiting your store and even adding items to their carts, but for some reason, they abandon their carts?

This is not only frustrating for a business owner, but it also leaves you wanting to figure out why this happens and how to prevent it from happening. While cart abandonment is something you should expect, there are some solid reasons why it occurs and ways to reduce how frequently it occurs.

1. Security Concerns

Cybercrime is a major e-commerce concern. One of the biggest dealbreakers for online shoppers is feeling unsure about whether their personal and payment information is safe. If your website looks outdated, doesn’t have HTTPS, or is missing security trust badges, customers may hesitate before entering their card details.

In South Africa, where online fraud is a genuine concern, trust is everything. Shoppers are more likely to complete their purchase if they feel confident in your site’s safety.

So, going forward, what should you do? Firstly, you must choose the right e-commerce platform for your business, then ensure you add SSL encryption, display trust signals like PayFast, Yoco, or Visa/MasterCard verified logos, and keep your site design clean and professional to boost credibility.

2. They Aren’t Making a Purchase (Right Now)

Sometimes, your customer isn’t saying “no” they’re just saying “not now.” Many people use their carts like wishlists. They might be comparing prices, waiting for payday, or just browsing with the intention to return later.

This kind of abandonment is common. The good news is, there are ways to encourage them to come back and make a purchase. Things you can do include sending reminder e-mails or WhatsApp messages with the items they left behind, offering them a small time-sensitive discount, or introducing a “save for later” button.

3. Shipping Costs and Delivery Uncertainty

Unexpected shipping fees are one of the fastest ways to lose a sale. If a shopper adds items to their cart only to discover high delivery charges or unclear timelines on when to expect their order, they’re likely to abandon their cart.

C-commerce stores price their items higher to provide free shipping. State delivery times clearly based on region, and partner with trusted local couriers like The Courier Guy or Fastway to provide reliable, trackable service.

4. No Return Policy

Every shopper wants peace of mind in knowing the item they are buying is worth their money. If your return or refund policy is missing or vague, this can scare off cautious buyers. It can especially scare off first-time shoppers. If your website has a clear return policy, it reduces the risk of buying from you.

To lessen the amount of abandoned carts in your online store, add a “Returns & Refunds” link to your product pages and checkout. Make the terms easy to understand, fair, and customer-friendly.

5. Lack of Variety in Payment Options

South African shoppers don’t all use the same payment method. While some prefer cards, others rely on instant EFT, mobile money, or Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options like Payflex or Mobicred. Additionally, platforms like Google Pay enhance the shopping experience for e-commerce customers. If your checkout only supports one or two options, you’re turning away potential buyers.

Integrate multiple local payment gateways to accommodate more preferences. If you’re looking to offer credit in a way that protects you, offering Payflex or a similar BNPL service makes that possible.

6. A Sketchy Website

Building a reliable e-commerce website should be a no-brainer. Users may browse through your website and add items to their cart, but adding their personal banking information, and risking losing their money to a sketchy website is not something they’ll overlook. Your store might have amazing products, but if your website isn’t user-friendly, your customers will be discouraged from checking out.

Things like slow load times and difficult navigation on your website can be a major turn-off. It’s also crucial not to overlook mobile optimisation, especially since there’s a rise in mobile commerce (m-commerce).

Make it Easy for Your Customers to Say Yes

If you ensure that everything related to the customer experience on your website is sorted, that will make it easy for your customers to purchase from your website.

You must understand the specific needs and concerns of your customers. This includes understanding the need for various payment methods.

Ultimately, making it easy and enjoyable for your customers to shop is the key to boosting sales and growing your online business.