What is а secure checkout?

Some of the biggest concerns ecommerce business owners face today are low traffic, low conversions, or high cart abandonment rates. 

Perhaps the most disturbing scenario is to attract users to your website, motivating them to add a product or service to their cart and seeing them go just before the purchase.

One of the leading factors behind this trend is the inability to build trust with your clients via a payment page with a secure online checkout.

In the following sections, we dive into the topic of secure checkout. We’ll explore how a quality, secure checkout process works and offer tips on creating a positive customer experience via a safe online checkout process. 

What is secure checkout: Definition

Before we embrace all the essential details that surround secure transactions, it’s critical to first understand the meaning of checkout in online shopping. 

Once users have selected products or services to purchase from a website, they ultimately reach a landing page that serves as an online checkout page. 

Checkout pages are designed to enable the customer to complete their purchase as they initiate a transaction. The checkout process usually requires the user to provide sensitive data, such as credit card information, to process the payment.

In summary, secure checkout is the completion of an online transaction via a secure payment page, where customers’ personal and financial information, like credit card details, are protected and secure. 

This process takes place by sending the user’s payment details to the online merchant using encryption-based security features. 

What is a 3D secure checkout?

Some websites enhance their checkout page with a 3D secure checkout to provide an extra layer of protection.

3D Secure technology applies to debit or credit card payments. It ensures that the legal card owner makes the transaction rather than a hacker or criminal. 

This security method requires an extra verification step, asking users to verify their identity with their card issuer before the payment can be processed. 

Usually, consumers are transferred to a verification page (in most cases, this is a bank-owned page). They’re then asked to type in a password or PIN provided via SMS. 

Initially created by Visa and now licensed to Mastercard, 3D Secure enables various card providers to utilise this security method. 

What is a Visa secure checkout?

Another security feature developed for multiple payment methods is Visa Secure Checkout or Visa Checkout.

This solution is an online and mobile payment service that makes the purchasing process much quicker and safer. 

Visa Checkout enables users to shop online without revealing credit card numbers every time. Instead, they are exposed to a login screen at checkout asking them to provide a username and credentials. 

Their contact details and credit card data are stored with Visa Checkout, meaning that no unnecessary steps must be taken to complete a purchase, yet shopping is safer than ever.

Why is a secure checkout important for your e-commerce business?

While most associate secure checkout with user-based benefits, it also protects your business. 

Here are the main reasons for a secure checkout for any website.

Protection of sensitive information

First and foremost, a secure checkout can protect your customers’ sensitive information and guarantee security. 

Users must provide card details and other sensitive data throughout the purchasing process. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be used to conduct unauthorised activities, leading to consequences of theft and breaches. 

Prevention of fraudulent transactions

In 2022, card fraud in the UK amounted to  £556.3 million, which has grown since then. 

By providing secure checkout, you can significantly reduce the potential for fraud via stolen card data, identity theft, or unauthorised payments.

Reduced cart abandonment rates 

During the last quarter of 2023, around 77% of UK mobile device orders were not completed. Seven out of ten carts were left abandoned on tablets throughout the same period. 

One way to reduce cart abandonment rates is to build trust and encourage more customers to complete their payments via secure checkout. 

Having the confidence that their data is protected, users will be more likely to initiate a transaction and purchase your products or services.

Increased customer satisfaction

By guaranteeing safety and security to your customers, you’re also establishing a positive experience on your website. 

This naturally leads to increased customer satisfaction, more positive reviews, and, ultimately, a rise in repeat purchases, traffic, and sales. 

Compliance 

Throughout this article, we accentuate the fact that being compliant with security regulations and standards is of utmost importance.

Non-compliance can sometimes lead to hefty fines. In the worst-case scenario, it could even lead to business closure and the inability to legally process payments on your website. 

Which is the best secure checkout for a website?

The best online checkout for your website will ultimately come down to specifics like the type of business you own, your target audience, and more. 

However, regardless of your industry, size, or audience, the main objective is to create a user-friendly checkout that guarantees top-level security. 

Providing a secure checkout for your customers includes implementing different measures, including encryption, compliance with industry standards, for example, PCI DSS compliance, and more. It also means verifying all relevant information, such as addresses and tokenisation or payment information. 

Below, we offer a comprehensive guide on creating the best secure checkout for your website.

Make sure you have an SSL certificate

One of the first steps to achieving a secure checkout is obtaining an SSL certificate. 

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate creates a link between your website and your consumers’ web browsers. The secure SSL checkout means that it encrypts all data, ensuring that any payment information, like credit card details, can’t be accessed by third parties. 

Throughout the payment process, customers share financial details with the payment gateway and banks. An SSL certificate guarantees that this communication channel is protected. 

Note that an SSL certificate is an essential technical requirement for websites that collect payment details to process transactions. 

Ensure you are compliant with the PCI Security Standards Council

Earlier, we mentioned that it’s key to achieve compliance with industry standards, like the PCI DSS.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) regulations are central when it comes to online payment security. They represent standards and measures created to minimise payment card fraud by enhancing payment controls related to card information. 

Apart from being highly recommended, they’re also obligatory for businesses that process card payments or collect financial data.

Collect only the necessary information

Any website can customise secure checkout pages. However, don’t be tempted by the urge to add creativity or gather more valuable customer data.

Only the necessary payment details are required to complete the transaction. 

This will not only result in a simple and easy checkout process but also minimise the data that can be stolen and used without the user’s consent. 

Make it user-friendly

Checkout pages that are difficult to use and too complex can often lead to cart abandonment – a popular challenge we explored earlier. 

To seamlessly navigate users throughout the checkout, ensure you have provided comprehensive instructions, error signals, and progress indicators.

Provide prediction for login screens

When users are asked to provide personal information like emails and passwords during checkout, it’s recommended to ensure the login screen is fully protected against hackers.

One way to do this is to add a CAPTCHA code verifier field and, where possible, ask for secondary verification via methods like two-factor authentication.

Acknowledge inherent vulnerabilities 

While some rely on a website development process conducted entirely by specialists and experts, others prefer ready-to-use platforms, which offer benefits like time-saving advantages and affordability.

However, such platforms often come with specific vulnerabilities regarding secure checkout. 

To overcome these obstacles, ensure the checkout process is as easy as possible. For example, provide a one-page checkout method and only collect essential data.

Carefully select design features 

Throughout the creation of your checkout process, you’ll need to consider multiple configurations that will help you guarantee security. 

Design plays a significant role here. For instance, something as simple as providing a username and password without proper authentication can lead to hackers using SQL injection to attack and steal data. 

To prevent this from happening, it’s recommended that your checkout process be user-friendly and configured for security.

Support multiple payment options 

Last but not least, make sure to integrate with different payment gateways to offer consumers flexibility. 

Different buyer groups have different preferences when it comes to payment options. The best way to avoid cart abandonment is to support as many payment methods as possible without compromising security. 

Some of the most popular payment gateways today include:

• PayPal;
• Stripe;
• Amazon Pay.

Conclusion

Providing a secure checkout on your website can dramatically increase the performance of your ecommerce business. At the same time, it will allow you to comply with specific standards and regulations for websites supporting and processing online payments. 

By considering the information provided above and implementing the proven practices to create the best secure checkout, you can reduce cart abandonment and establish trust among consumers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a secure checkout?

A secure checkout is the process of completing a transaction on a website that fully secures and protects all sensitive information provided by the consumer, minimising the chances of this data falling into the wrong hands.

What are some of the security measures that make a checkout secure?

Popular measures for a secure checkout include SSL certification and encryption, PCI DSS compliance, PIN verification, fraud detection systems, tokenisation of payment data, and others.

How do I know if a website’s checkout process is secure?

You can determine if a website’s checkout process is secure by checking for indicators like an SSL certificate, “https://” URLs, and padlock icons. Some websites provide resources that will enable you to find out more about their security measures, while others will have trust seals across the website.