something wrong with my sites design? help!

[DormGear.net]

Hello ALL! www.DormGear.net is my college based website that sells cool dorm items. I see that people have been placing items in a cart, but no final payment! Why? Why are people not continuing with the purchase?
Am i doing something wrong? can you tell me how to get final payments?

thank you
ben

[vwebworld]

Hi Ben,

Are you doing something wrong - not to get viewers
to make a final purchase?

I can't really say. Your site is fine and the shopping
cart works... although the "checkout" screen is a little
overwhelming (a lot of info to input).

Your best bet is to ask your customers, well the visitors
to your site who do and don't buy.

Purhaps have a pop-up for viewers leaving your site
or exiting the checkout page, that asks for feedback.
Specifically why you did or didn't purchase? Multiple
choice answers (plus space to type in an answer) are
good - to make it as easy for the viewer as possible.

~Roland

[DormGear.net]

how in the world do i make a pop-up window? i love that idea, and would do it in a second. Just how? is it a program or lots of crazy code?

keep me posted.
thank you

[cyanide]

Originally Posted by DormGear.net

how in the world do i make a pop-up window? i love that idea, and would do it in a second. Just how? is it a program or lots of crazy code?

keep me posted.
thank you

Through the magic of Javascript ...
Here's a link to a pop up maker http://www.webpage-tools.com/popup_maker.asp
There's quite a few of these types of programs, just do a search on google .
Not sure I would recommend an auto pop up, but perhaps a link from your home page and maybe offer some type of prize to lure people to take the quiz.

[deannkc01]

You need to have in plain site about your product guarantees, return policy, contact information. Also need good testimonials about how great your products are how fast they received their order, and good customer service. Also paypal may be hurting your reputation too. Check out page is too over whelming. Put a check box if shipping address is the same at the top. If different put it at the bottom of page with the cost bar seperating it. It won't look so overwhelming. Also add optional shipping insurance. That will go along way too. Add a pop-up as suggested if they still don't purchase give them something free to fill out a survey--like a free report or something. That way you can find out answers to your problems. You can purchase inexpensive software to create survey form pages and pop-ups--no technical knowledge needed. Hope this helps.

[freddieb]

This is fairly normal for an e-commerce site, well for any sort of sales situation. It's the "close" of the sale, where people get right to the point of making payment and then deciding not to go ahead. I've developed a number of e-commerce sites and the operators all tell me the same story.

I agree that the checkout page is a little cluttered.

I think the survey form is a good idea

[Keimos]

If an individual gets to the point of ordering and does not proceed with payment it is because they are unsure as to your authenticity.

Ask yourself the simple question.

Would I buy from me?

Under most trading standards you should have your contact details including phone number and a clear description of the method of delivery and charges.

The above comments, yours included show that your buyers are there yet they feel unsure as to whether they are actually going to get what they pay for and are sceptical about your payment methods.

If you are providing a legitimate service, prove it. Show your potential customers that you are a trustworthy person or business to deal with.