Why shoppers abandon high-ticket carts
Shoppers rarely abandon because they changed their mind about the product. For high-ticket items, it almost always comes down to one thing: the total. A shopper who has spent time considering a product can still be stopped by seeing the full price presented as a single upfront payment at the point of commitment. That’s a different experience to browsing. For many shoppers, it’s the moment they decide to think about it — which usually means not buying.
Strategies to reduce cart abandonment with installments
Show the monthly price in the cart
The cart is where sticker shock is most likely to hit. An installment price shown next to the order total reframes the commitment before the shopper has a chance to talk themselves out of it.
What to say:
- or from {{price}}/mo
- From {{price}}/month, no interest or fees ⓘ
- Pay monthly from {{price}} on your existing card
Wherever you use interest-free messaging, the following must be accessible to the shopper: “0% APR. Your credit card will be charged in equal installments according to your chosen plan. Your standard credit card terms and conditions still apply.”
This can sit directly on the page, or as a link that leads to a “Learn More” overlay or page. Splitit’s built-in “Learn More” modal includes this disclaimer automatically. If you build your own “Learn More” modal, make sure it’s in there.
Set up a cart abandonment email
A shopper who abandons a high-ticket cart is not necessarily a lost customer. They left a product they were interested enough to add to their cart. A follow-up email that shows the monthly installment price next to the product they left directly addresses the most likely reason they didn’t complete the purchase.
What to say:
- Still thinking about it? Split the cost interest-free over [X] months on your existing credit card. ⓘ
- You left something behind. Pay from $[X]/month – no added interest or fees. ⓘ
Wherever you use interest-free messaging, the following must be accessible to the shopper: “0% APR. Your credit card will be charged in equal installments according to your chosen plan. Your standard credit card terms and conditions still apply.”
This can sit directly on the page, or as a link that leads to a “Learn More” overlay or page. Splitit’s built-in “Learn More” modal includes this disclaimer automatically. If you build your own “Learn More” modal, make sure it’s in there.
Use an exit intent prompt
An exit intent prompt appears when a shopper shows signs of leaving — moving their cursor toward the browser bar, for example. For high-ticket carts, a prompt that shows the monthly installment price at that specific moment can be enough to stop the abandonment before it happens.
What to say:
- Before you go — pay from $[X]/month on your existing credit card with no interest or fees ⓘ
- Still thinking about it? Split the cost over [X] months. No new credit needed.
Wherever you use interest-free messaging, the following must be accessible to the shopper: “0% APR. Your credit card will be charged in equal installments according to your chosen plan. Your standard credit card terms and conditions still apply.”
This can sit directly on the page, or as a link that leads to a “Learn More” overlay or page. Splitit’s built-in “Learn More” modal includes this disclaimer automatically. If you build your own “Learn More” modal, make sure it’s in there.
Other ways to reduce cart abandonment alongside installments
- Transparent pricing throughout. Unexpected costs revealed at checkout are a leading cause of abandonment. Shipping costs, taxes, and fees should be visible before the cart stage where possible. Installments address the price hesitation; transparent pricing addresses the surprise factor.
- Guest checkout. Requiring account creation at checkout adds friction that loses a meaningful percentage of buyers. A guest checkout option removes that barrier.
- Trust signals at checkout. Security badges, return policy reminders, and clear terms reduce the uncertainty that can tip a hesitant shopper toward abandonment.
