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Just go ahead and picture this: someone walks into a shop, grabs what they want, heads to the register feeling good… and then the checkout process makes it weird. Suddenly, they’re awkwardly tapping “no tip,” pretending to understand a malfunctioning card reader, or being asked if they want to sign up for a rewards club that no one’s ever heard of.
That final checkout moment should feel easy. But sometimes, it just doesn’t. This is why fewer people want to go in-person to stores and would rather just embrace the future of online retail. But honestly, a few small things can make customers leave feeling more irritated than satisfied, and that’s not how anyone wants to be remembered.
Why is this Asking Me to Tip?
Sure, by all means, tipping is great. People love showing appreciation when it’s earned. But there’s a difference between tipping for full-on table service and tipping because someone handed over a pre-bagged cookie.
But too many places prompt for a 20%+ tip on stuff like bottled water or a simple to-go coffee. The cashier’s staring. The screen is flashing. And now the customer’s left feeling judged for skipping the tip when there was no service to actually tip for. If tipping doesn’t feel earned, the whole situation gets awkward fast. No one wants guilt baked into their checkout.
The Card Reader Struggle is Real
Oh yeah, everyone’s seen it. The employee flips the screen, pauses, squints, and goes, “Uhh, try tapping again?” Suddenly, what should be a two-second interaction turns into a whole ordeal. Worse, sometimes the person running the register doesn’t really know how to use the system at all.
Instead, they’re pressing the wrong buttons, unsure how to cancel a charge or switch to tap-to-pay, and the customer’s just standing there, silently rooting for it to end. Basically, the smoother the tech works, and the more confidently it’s used, the better the vibe for everyone. But do you and your staff just need a little help getting that right? Well, in all honesty, it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about POS systems here to make those awkward moments disappear.
Don’t Push the Upsell Mid-Payment
When someone’s already reaching for their wallet, that’s not the time to ask if they want to sign up for a loyalty program, donate to something, or add a mystery item to their cart. People usually have one goal at that moment: to pay and leave.
You should really keep in mind that the last-minute sales pitch can feel forced. It puts the customer in that weird spot of having to say “no thanks” three times in a row just to complete a transaction. If they want something extra, they’ll ask. If not, it’s fine to just let them go in peace.
Give People a Second to See the Total
Oh yes, this one tends to be forgotten, but nobody likes getting charged before they even know the amount. And while most of the time it’s totally normal, rushing through the screen flip or barely mentioning the total can feel shady, even when it’s not. Just a quick pause before spinning the screen around is enough. It gives customers a chance to double-check, especially when they add a few things or forgot how much their total might be.
Also read:
How can Online Payment Gateways Improve Checkout Conversion Rates?
Magento Checkout Page UX Design Improvements
Image source: Unsplash.com
