As an online retailer, you've likely experienced the frustration of dealing with abandoned and forgotten shopping carts. You put in a lot of efforts into your sales and marketing strategy, only to see potential customers leave their carts untouched.

It's disappointing when customers leave their carts without completing the purchase, as it means your conversion rate is lower than expected. About 70% of potential sales end up being abandoned or forgotten.

But there's good news – you can do something about it. What you need is a tool that gives customers choices, improves their shopping experience, and increases their confidence.

A 3D product configurator can dramatically reduce cart abandonment rates. In this article, we will explore how a 3D product configurator can delight your customers, increase conversion rates, and ultimately bring you financial benefits.

What is Cart Abandonment

When shoppers add items to their online carts but don't finish buying them, it's called cart abandonment. Compared to physical shops, this is a big problem for online stores, where it happens more often.

No matter what eCommerce platform you use, abandoned carts are common. Studies show that around 69% of desktop users, 85% of mobile shoppers, and 80% of tablet users leave their carts without buying, resulting in online retailers losing about $18 billion in sales every year.

There are several common reasons why people abandon their online shopping carts:

• Unexpected costs: Customers may be surprised to see additional charges during checkout, such as shipping fees or taxes they were unaware of.
• Complicated checkout process: A lengthy or confusing checkout process can frustrate customers, causing them to abandon their cart before completing the purchase.
• Mandatory account creation: Requiring customers to create an account to make a purchase can be off-putting and time-consuming, leading to cart abandonment.
• Slow loading times: If a website takes too long to load, customers may become impatient and leave the site.
• Security concerns: Customers may be hesitant to provide personal or financial information if they are unsure about the security measures in place.
• Comparison shopping: Customers may leave a site to compare prices or products on other websites before deciding whether to make a purchase.
• Lack of payment options: If a website does not accept a customer's preferred payment method, they may choose to abandon their cart and shop elsewhere.
• External distractions or interruptions: Customers may get distracted by external factors such as phone calls or other notifications while shopping online, causing them to abandon their cart.
• Indecision or lack of urgency: Customers may simply change their minds or lose interest during the shopping process, leading to cart abandonment.
• Technical issues: If a website experiences technical issues such as errors or crashes, customers may be unable to complete their purchase and may choose to abandon their cart.

While you cannot control every aspect of a customer's decision-making process, there's an effective tool to address these issues and reduce cart abandonment. A 3D product configurator offers a multifaceted solution to combat cart abandonment by addressing various common reasons behind it.

6 Ways a 3D Configurator Reduce Forgotten Carts in 2024

Advanced 3D product configurators, like VividWorks, can play a pivotal role in reducing forgotten carts and improving the overall shopping experience for your customers in 2024. Here are six ways a 3D configurator can help tackle this issue:

Personalized Shopping Experience

Let's look at the stats - 80% of shoppers prefer buying from companies that offer personalized experiences. So, businesses prioritizing personalized experiences are more likely to attract and retain customers.

You can meet this demand by offering customizable products. And the best way to scale up product customization is through 3D configuration.  

With the VividWorks 3D configurator, customers can customize even the most complex products to their exact specifications, whether it's building products from scratch or selecting colors, materials, sizes, or specific features.

The configurator provides a wide range of options, creating a sense of individuality and exclusivity for customers. This level of personalization deeply resonates with customers, leading to higher satisfaction levels and reducing the chances of customers abandoning their purchases.  

Visual Confidence

The option to see customized products in 3D helps customers feel more sure about what they're buying. When they can visualize their personalized designs from different angles, it makes the final product seem more real. Plus, being able to see their modifications instantly as they make them helps customers make decisions more confidently. This confidence in their choices reduces any doubts they might have and lowers the chance of them leaving without buying anything.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality technology allows customers to visualize and experience products in their own space before making a purchase. This feature is particularly useful for clothing, furniture, and other items where aesthetics and fit are important.

By incorporating AR into the product customization process, customers gain a higher level of confidence in their buying decisions, leading to a significant reduction in abandoned carts

Transparent in Pricing

Incorporating a 3D configurator into the e-commerce platform significantly improves transparency in pricing, a vital element in tackling cart abandonment.

Real-time pricing helps customers clearly understand the total expenses involved in their potential purchase. This upfront transparency eliminates the risk of encountering unforeseen charges during checkout, a common cause of abandoned carts. As a result, customers can confidently make informed buying decisions, knowing precisely what to anticipate in terms of pricing.

Simplified Checkout Process

Well-crafted 3D configurators serve as a navigational guide for customers throughout the checkout process, ensuring a seamless and effortless experience.

Through intuitive design and user-friendly interfaces, the configurator simplifies the customization journey, minimizing the number of steps required to complete a purchase.

This simplification not only enhances the overall shopping experience but also encourages customers to proceed with their purchases confidently and efficiently.

Enhanced Engagement

With 3D visuals and customization features, the configurator grabs customers' attention, making their shopping experience more exciting and interactive. They can explore different options and see their changes instantly, actively participating in creating their perfect product.

This keeps them focused on their shopping journey, preventing distractions that could lead to leaving without buying. By boosting engagement, the configurator builds a stronger connection between the customer and the brand, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty in the long run.

Remember, reducing cart abandonment is a continual process, and regularly analyzing and optimizing your website's user experience can further enhance your conversion rates. With the VividWorks 3D product configurator, you can address the pain points that often lead to abandoned carts and create a more engaging and satisfying shopping experience for your customers.

Don't let potential sales slip away – start using a product configurator from VividWorks today to enhance your online shopping experience! Book a free demo call to see our 3D software in action.