Introduction
Your store looks great. You’ve attracted visitors. Products are in the cart.
But then — they vanish.If this sounds familiar, it’s likely your ecommerce checkout is pushing customers away.
Even the best online stores lose sales at the final step if the checkout process isn’t smooth, fast, and trusted. In this blog, we’ll uncover what’s going wrong, how Dubai buyers think during checkout, and how you can fix it before it costs you more.
Why Checkout Experience Matters
You might be surprised, but the checkout process is where most ecommerce revenue is lost.
- Up to 70% of online carts are abandoned before purchase (Baymard Institute)
- A poor checkout experience is the #1 reason for lost conversions after product interest
In the UAE — where competition is tight and buyer expectations are high — you simply can’t afford a weak checkout.
Signs Your Checkout Is a Problem
Here’s how to spot if your checkout is driving customers away:
- You have high add-to-cart rates but low conversions
- People exit the site at the final step
- Customers complain about confusing forms or multiple screens
- Mobile users bounce during payment
- Checkout analytics show drop-offs between steps
These are all indicators that your checkout flow needs work.
What Dubai Buyers Expect at Checkout
Dubai shoppers are fast, mobile, and security-conscious. During checkout, they expect:
- Speed and simplicity
- Transparent totals (no surprise fees)
- Arabic/English language support
- Multiple payment options (especially cash on delivery)
- Visible security badges
Anything less, and their trust fades instantly — especially if it feels like a scam or a hassle.
Top Checkout Frustrations That Cause Abandonment
Let’s talk about what makes buyers quit right before purchase:
1. Forced account creation
Buyers hate being forced to register. They want to check out as a guest.
2. Too many steps
The more pages and fields, the higher the bounce rate.
3. Hidden charges at the end
Nothing breaks trust like added shipping or tax at the final screen.
4. Lack of payment options
No Apple Pay? No cash on delivery? You lose potential sales — especially in UAE.
5. Slow page loading
Checkout should feel faster than browsing — not slower.
These issues don’t just hurt conversions — they damage brand trust.
Best Practices for a Smooth Checkout Flow
Here’s how to fix the above and make your checkout flow a conversion machine:
Allow Guest Checkout
Speed matters. Give buyers the option to skip login.
Autofill and address suggestions
Save time by using smart form tools (Google Autofill, address API).
Show progress
Use a visual progress bar (e.g., Cart → Address → Payment → Confirm)
Display total price clearly
No surprises. All costs, shipping, and tax should be visible upfront.
Enable cart edits
Allow buyers to change quantity or remove products easily, without starting over.
Transitioning from interest to sale becomes seamless with these features.
Mobile Checkout Optimization
In Dubai, over 70% of ecommerce traffic is mobile. A desktop-style checkout kills mobile sales.
Mobile must-haves:
- Large tap buttons
- Sticky bottom “Proceed” buttons
- Mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay)
- No horizontal scrolling
- Fast-loading pages with local servers or CDN
Remember: a clunky mobile checkout = abandoned cart.
Trust Signals During Payment
In the final seconds before payment, doubt creeps in. Fight that with:
- SSL padlock & HTTPS
- Payment provider logos (e.g., Visa, Mastercard, Tabby, COD)
- Testimonials or review star ratings near total
- Secure checkout badge / “Encrypted” message
- Return policy link below CTA
If they feel unsure — they won’t pay. Make them feel safe and in control.
How Fajri Fixes Ecommerce Checkout UX
At Fajri, we specialize in building ecommerce platforms that don’t lose sales at the finish line.
Here’s how we optimize checkout experiences:
- Guest checkout enabled by default
- One-page checkout flows
- Arabic/English UI for UAE buyers
- Mobile-first, lightning-fast pages
- Payment integrations like Tap, COD, Stripe, PayPal, and more
- Transparent UX to eliminate drop-off surprises
Whether you’re on WordPress, Shopify, or custom code — we build frictionless checkout funnels that convert.
👉 Get a Checkout UX Audit
👉 Explore Ecommerce Website Packages
Must-Know Stats for UAE Store Owners
- 18% of cart abandonments happen due to a too-long/complex checkout
- 56% of UAE shoppers prefer cash on delivery (Statista 2024)
- Sites with guest checkout convert up to 30% more
- Mobile-first stores in the UAE see 40% lower abandonment than unoptimized ones
- Every extra step = 11% drop in conversion (Baymard)
Final Thoughts
It’s time to stop asking “Why aren’t people buying?” and start asking:
“Is my ecommerce checkout pushing customers away?”
If your site is difficult to navigate, full of surprises, or feels untrustworthy — users won’t finish the transaction, no matter how good your product is.
Fix the friction.
Build confidence.
Close the sale.
Need help improving your ecommerce checkout experience?
👉 Fajri is here to help. Start with a free consultation.
