In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, every second counts, especially during the checkout process. The speed and ease of your checkout flow can make or break a sale, particularly for those elusive guest shoppers who might be just a few clicks away from abandoning their cart. That’s where BigCommerce’s latest addition, Fastlane by PayPal, comes in to save the day.
What is Fastlane by PayPal?
Fastlane by PayPal is designed to simplify and speed up the checkout experience, especially for guest shoppers. Instead of manually entering their shipping and payment information every time they shop, customers can create a Fastlane profile. Once set up, they can breeze through checkout with just a quick verification code sent to their mobile device, thanks to their pre-saved details.
Why Speed Matters in Checkout
Let’s face it—no one likes a slow checkout. It’s frustrating and can lead to cart abandonment. Fastlane by PayPal reduces friction in the checkout process, making it easier for your customers to complete their purchase quickly and efficiently. This not only boosts your conversion rates but also encourages repeat purchases.
Getting Started with Fastlane by PayPal
If you’re located in the United States and transact in USD, you’re in luck—Fastlane by PayPal is available for your BigCommerce store. For new users connecting to PayPal or Braintree, Fastlane is enabled by default. For those already using these gateways, it’s just a few clicks away in your BigCommerce control panel.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Head to Settings › Payments in your BigCommerce control panel.
- Find your gateway’s settings tab and look for the option to enable Fastlane by PayPal.
- Check the box next to Enable Fastlane by PayPal, save your changes, and voilà! Your checkout process just got a whole lot faster.
If you’re using Braintree, make sure Fastlane is enabled in your Braintree account first. This ensures everything syncs up smoothly.
How It Works for Shoppers
For your customers, setting up a Fastlane profile is a fairly simple process. When they enter their payment details during checkout, they’ll have the option to create a Fastlane profile by providing their mobile number. After completing their purchase, they’ll receive a confirmation email. The next time they shop, all they need to do is enter their email address and verify their identity with a mobile code, and their details will autofill—no need to re-enter anything. It’s fast, easy, and secure.
One of the key benefits of Fastlane by PayPal is its flexibility, allowing shoppers to customize their checkout experience. For instance, if a shopper has a Fastlane profile, they can easily update their shipping address before placing an order. This is done through a simple edit option next to the shipping address during checkout, which opens a pop-up where they can either select a previously saved address or enter a new one. This feature ensures that even returning customers can adapt their shipping details to their current needs, making the checkout process smooth and convenient.
Additionally, Fastlane users can manage and update their profile information directly from the checkout page. Whether they need to change their shipping address, billing address, or credit card details, these updates can be made on the spot after entering their verification code. For more comprehensive management, shoppers can log in to their Fastlane profile at any time to edit their information, ensuring that their checkout experience remains up-to-date and hassle-free.
It’s important to note that Fastlane by PayPal is specifically designed for guest shoppers. While registered customers can save their payment credentials within their storefront account for faster checkout, Fastlane is exclusively available to those who prefer not to create a full account. This feature is ideal for customers who value speed and convenience without the commitment of account creation.
Finally, shoppers are not obligated to create a Fastlane profile if they prefer not to. After entering their payment details at checkout, they have the option to opt out by simply toggling off the Fastlane option. This preference remains in effect for future purchases unless they choose to manually opt in later. This flexibility empowers customers to tailor their shopping experience to their comfort level, whether they want the convenience of Fastlane or prefer a more traditional checkout process.
Currently, Fastlane supports credit card and PayPal Checkout payments. Fastlane is not compatible with other PayPal or Braintree payment methods.
For more detailed information about Fastlane and how to enable it in your BigCommerce store, click here.
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.