5 Common E-Commerce Checkout Problems (And How to Fix Them)

In the competitive world of US online retail, the journey from “Add to Cart” to “Order Confirmed” is where most sales are won or lost. Statistics show that the average cart abandonment rate in the USA hovers around 70%. This means seven out of ten potential customers leave your store right when they are ready to buy.

Most of these departures aren’t because the customer changed their mind about the product. Instead, they are often caused by preventable e-commerce checkout problems. If you want to scale your business and capture more American clients, you must eliminate friction at the finish line.

1. Unexpected Costs and Sales Tax Surprises

The number one reason for cart abandonment in the USA is “hidden costs.” American shoppers are used to seeing shipping fees and sales tax, but they hate seeing them for the first time on the final payment screen.

The Problem: A customer sees a $50 item, but by the time they reach the final “Pay” button, it has ballooned to $72 due to shipping and unannounced fees.
The Solution: Be transparent. Use a shipping calculator on the cart page or offer a “Free Shipping over $X” threshold. For sales tax, try to provide an estimate as soon as the user enters their ZIP code.

2. Lack of Diverse Payment Options

USA clients have very specific payment preferences. While credit cards remain a staple, “Express Checkouts” are now a standard expectation in 2026.

The Problem: Only offering traditional credit card entry fields. Many mobile shoppers find it tedious to type 16-digit numbers while on the go.
The Solution: Integrate digital wallets. At a minimum, your US store should offer:
Apple Pay and Google Pay (essential for mobile users).
PayPal (a trusted standard).
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options like Affirm or Klarna, which are increasingly popular for larger purchases.

3. Mandatory Account Creation

Nothing kills the “impulse buy” faster than a forced registration form.

The Problem: Requiring a user to create a password and verify their email before they can give you money.
The Solution: Guest Checkout is a must. Allow customers to complete their purchase using only an email address. You can always invite them to create an account after the purchase is complete on the “Thank You” page.

4. Poor Mobile Optimization

Over 60% of US e-commerce sales now happen on mobile devices. If your checkout process feels like it was designed for a desktop from 2010, you are losing money.

The Problem: Tiny buttons, small text, and forms that don’t trigger the correct keyboard (e.g., showing a letters keyboard when the user needs to type a phone number).
The Solution:
Use large tap targets for buttons.
Enable Auto-fill so browsers can help users fill in their addresses.
Use input type=”tel” for phone fields to trigger the number pad.

5. Lack of Trust Signals

With the rise of online scams, US consumers are more protective of their data than ever. If your checkout page looks “off” or unprofessional, they will leave.

The Problem: No SSL certificate, outdated logos, or a checkout URL that looks different from your main store.
The Solution: Display Trust Badges. Show logos for Norton, McAfee, or your SSL provider. Additionally, clearly list your return policy and customer support contact info right on the checkout page to reassure the buyer.