# What is checkout?

> The checkout (or checkout process) refers to the multi-step journey a customer follows between confirming their cart and confirming payment.

- Source canonique : [https://allaux.fr/en/glossaire/tunnel-de-commande](https://allaux.fr/en/glossaire/tunnel-de-commande)
- Langue : EN
- Dernière mise à jour : 2026-09-30

## The typical steps

A typical checkout runs through the cart summary, entering or selecting the delivery and billing address, choosing a delivery method, choosing a payment method, then confirming the order. Each step is a chance for the customer to carry on… or to abandon.

## Why every step matters

The more steps, form fields or points of friction a checkout has (mandatory account creation, delivery costs revealed too late, unclear options), the higher the cart abandonment rate. Simplifying this journey, cutting the number of clicks and showing costs upfront are among the most direct levers for improving a store's conversion rate.

## A key metric to track

> The cart abandonment rate, measurable through analytics tools, shows exactly which step of the checkout customers drop off at.

## FAQ

### How can you reduce the abandonment rate in the checkout?

By limiting the number of steps and required fields, showing delivery costs as early as the cart, and offering several payment methods suited to the target customers.

### Should account creation be required to place an order?

No, offering guest checkout generally reduces friction and the abandonment rate; account creation can still be offered after the order.

### How can you identify friction points in the checkout?

By analysing, step by step, where visitors drop off in analytics tools, and by testing the purchase journey yourself, end to end.