How people pay online has changed fast, and the consequences of falling behind are real. According to the Baymard Institute, 21% of shoppers leave without completing their purchase when their preferred payment method isn’t available.
That’s not just a missed opportunity. It’s a preventable drop-off in one of the most valuable moments of the customer journey.
What Customers Expect to See at Checkout
Today’s shoppers are used to options. They want to check out the way they’re used to, quickly, securely, and without jumping through hoops.
Here are a few of the tools they now expect to see:
• PayPal: A widely trusted wallet that makes checkout feel low-risk for first-time buyers.
• Venmo: Familiar and mobile-first, especially popular with younger users.
• Apple Pay: Enables instant checkout on iOS devices using your fingerprint or Face ID.
• Google Pay: A seamless way to pay across devices using stored credentials.
• Shop Pay: Accelerates checkout on Shopify stores by remembering returning users.
If these aren’t available, some customers will bounce regardless of how much they liked the product.
Payment Options Influence Trust
Checkout is more than a technical process. It’s a moment of decision. When a site includes trusted, recognizable payment options, it signals credibility. It tells new users they’re in good hands and reassures returning customers that your business is still evolving with their habits.
It also reflects how well your e-commerce and marketing systems are aligned. If you’re investing in paid media, SEO, or email campaigns to drive traffic, but customers can’t pay the way they want to, that’s money leaking out of the bottom of the funnel.
The Hidden Cost of Limited Payment Options
Some alternative payment methods carry higher processing fees. But the cost of losing an interested customer is far greater. When checkout feels restrictive, shoppers leave. Expanding your payment options protects revenue you are already paying to drive through SEO, paid search, and other marketing efforts.
How Starkmedia Can Help
We help brands close the gap between traffic and transactions. From performance optimization and mobile UX to integrating modern payment tools, Starkmedia works behind the scenes to ensure your site supports the way customers shop today.
If your payment experience hasn’t been revisited in a while (or if you’re unsure whether it’s meeting expectations), it’s time to take a closer look.
Let’s fix the part of your site that should be closing the deal. Contact Starkmedia to get started.
