Checkout

Checkout is the payment process in an online shop where your customers complete their order, choose a payment method and initiate the payment.

Checkout

Checkout refers to the final step in the purchasing process of an online shop. This is where your customers enter their delivery details, choose a payment method and confirm the order. Checkout is one of the most critical points in e-commerce — it is here where it is decided whether a shopping cart becomes a purchase or is abandoned.

There are different checkout variants: Hosted Checkout redirects your customers to the page of the payment service provider. Embedded Checkout integrates the payment form directly into the shop page. And Guest Checkout allows an order to be placed without registration — which typically increases the conversion rate.

For checkout optimisation, the selection of payment methods is crucial. Swiss customers expect TWINT, credit cards and often purchase on account. Missing preferred payment methods are one of the most common reasons for shopping cart abandonment.

Checkout examples

An online shop offers Visa, Mastercard, TWINT and purchase on account at checkout. Customers choose their preferred method.

A hosted checkout redirects your customer to a secure payment page of the PSP, where they enter their card details.

A shop introduces a guest checkout and increases the conversion rate by 15% because registration is no longer required.

Checkout FAQ

What is a checkout in an online shop?

Checkout is the payment process in which your customers enter their order details, choose a payment method and complete the purchase. It is the final step in the buying process.

What is the difference between Hosted Checkout and Embedded Checkout?

With Hosted Checkout, customers are redirected to the payment provider's page. With Embedded Checkout, the payment form is integrated directly into the shop page — without redirection.

How can you improve the checkout conversion?

Offer your target audience's preferred payment methods, enable a guest checkout without registration, reduce the number of form fields and display shipping costs early on.

Which payment methods should your Swiss checkout offer?

For Swiss shops, Visa/Mastercard, TWINT, PostFinance Pay, Apple Pay and purchase on account are the most important payment methods. The optimal selection depends on the target group and industry.