Abandoned Cart Rate

What is Abandoned Cart Rate?

Abandoned Cart Rate measures the percentage of online shoppers who add products to their cart but leave the website without completing the purchase. It’s a key eCommerce conversion metric that helps retailers identify friction points in the checkout process and opportunities to improve cart recovery.

Formula:
Abandoned Cart Rate = (Number of Abandoned Carts ÷ Number of Created Carts) × 100

Why Cart Abandonment Happens

Common reasons include unexpected shipping costs, required account creation, slow site performance, or lack of preferred payment methods. Distractions or comparison shopping also frequently cause checkout drop-offs.

How to Reduce Cart Abandonment:

  • Simplify checkout steps and enable guest checkout.
  • Display total costs upfront, including shipping and taxes.
  • Use cart recovery emails or remarketing campaigns to re-engage shoppers.
  • Offer incentives like limited-time discounts or free shipping for returning users.
  • Optimize for mobile checkout experiences.

Why It Matters?

Reducing abandoned carts directly improves conversion rates and revenue. A strategic recovery plan helps turn lost opportunities into completed sales while building customer trust and loyalty.