How the checkout process is organized in Magento 2 when a customer wants to buy

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A great deal of potential purchases are dropped in any online store, which can be the most despicable aspect of an internet business presence. Obviously, the principal reason shoppers leave at the checkout is a direct result of how the actual checkout process is organized.

We can name several common reasons why the cart may be abandoned:

customer is obligated to get an account before he can make a purchase;
checkout page takes a long time to load;
the checkout process requires too many actions;
the customer has limited payment options;
the customer has limited shipping options.

Thankfully, the checkout has undergone a major re-fit, improving the flow and layout. What’s more, it’s driven by better JavaScript and KnockoutJS, so we are looking at a faster experience too!

The checkout process is divided into at least two parts, and inside each one, there are various sub-elements. These elements can exchange data utilizing models and other code dependency injections.

Start of checkout

The data exchange moves to a safe, scrambled communication channel when the checkout cycle starts. A lock image shows up in the browser’s address panel while the page URL is simultaneously changed to secure protocol HTTPS.

At the moment of HTTPS activation, the objective is to assemble all the required data so that Magento can finish the checkout process. This is done in steps of the Checkout page, which drives the client through each step one by one.

Clients who are signed in to the system can finish the checkout process rapidly because a large part of the required data is already present in their accounts. However, clients related to corporate accounts that utilize purchase orders will have a marginally changed work process.

Specifying shipping data at checkout

The initial step of the checkout interaction is for the client to finish the delivery address data and pick the transportation technique. Then, if the client has a record, the delivery address is entered without any action from him, yet it can be changed if necessary.

How the address data of both parties – the customer and a shop - are stored in the respective address attribute field. This information is validated by checking the characters that can be utilized for a transportation address.

The customer can track each step on his checkout route using the address bar of his browser. The Order Summary section on the page displays all the information the system has on the order.

How to change the existing shipping address

Some customer accounts may have several shipping addresses. If the order has to be delivered to another from the default address, first determine the default shipping address for the order. Then, choose the location by clicking Ship Here.

How to add a new shipping address

On the page, find the Shipping Address block and click New Address. Specify the Shipping Address according to the required data structure by completing the form.

Naturally, the structure includes the client's first and last name. The Shipping Address structure also incorporates address data.

Save this new location in the account and select the checkbox next to it. Then, click Save Address to write the changes in the database of the Magento store and use it for this particular order.

How to change the shipping method

When presented with a list of shipping methods, the customer can choose the method he wants to use and click the Next button afterward.

Both Magento editions (Commerce and Open Source) provide a range of shipping carriers and their methods. Here is the list of built-in methods that do not require a store to connect with a third-party provider using its account:

Free Shipping
Flat Rate
Table Rates
In-Store Delivery
Dimensional Weight

If a store utilizes Inventory Management functionality, it can likewise set up sources to give customers an option of in-store conveyance.

Checking Payment method for B2C order (regular order)

At the second step of the checkout cycle, the client picks the installment strategy by specifying the payment method he wants to use for the order. He can also apply any coupons or special codes to get the store's additional bonuses.

Every payment-related data can be looked into and altered if necessary. Whenever a store empowers a sale policy, the client must consent to it before putting in his order.

Even though the store can arrange several coupon codes, a client might apply just a single coupon code. Extend this functionality by installing extensions. For example, Magento 2 Special Promotions and Extended Shopping Cart Rules extension.

Both Magento editions (Commerce and Open Source) provide support for several payment methods for customers to get a simpler checkout process. Those methods can be divided into two categories: offline and online.

Offline payments

Adobe Commerce and Magento Open Source incorporate various installment strategies for offline money exchange. They don't require for a store to be connected with third-party installment handling organizations:

Zero Subtotal Checkout
Cash On Delivery Payment
Bank Transfer Payment
Check / Money Order
Purchase Order
Payment on Account

Online payments
Online payment methods can be quite useful when a Magento store provides its services in all parts of the world. Typically with online installment arrangements, the process involves connecting with an external web site to finish the transaction. An installment gateway makes it feasible for Magento to make such connections straightforwardly without the client leaving the store site.

Here is a list of common online payment methods:

PayPal Express Checkout
Braintree
All-in-one PayPal solutions
PayPal Payments Advanced
PayPal Payments Pro
PayPal Payments Standard
PayPal payment gateways
PayPal Payflow Pro
PayPal Payflow Link
Klarna
Amazon Pay

How to achieve PCI compliance

The Payment Card Industry (PCI) has set up a bunch of necessities for organizations that acknowledge online installment over the internet. As well as keeping a protected server infrastructure, traders who handle client's installment data should meet the accompanying rules:

A store should introduce a firewall on the server to ensure cardholder information.
Utilization of default framework passwords and other security factors is not allowed.
Securely store cardholder information.
Scramble transmission of cardholder information across open, public communication channels.
Use and consistently update the antivirus. See how to check Magento on malware for free.
Keep up with security frameworks and applications
Limit the admittance to cardholder information that is not required by the business.
Allocate an individual ID to every employee who has access.
Limit current admittance to cardholder information.
Track and record all admittance to assets and cardholder information.
Consistently test security frameworks.
Keep an approach that tends to data security.

A developing business may require a consistent report on a yearly premise. Check the Advanced Reports extension to get it.

Checking Payment method for B2B order (purchase order)

At the point when a client is related with an organization that has been empowered to utilize purchase orders, all orders are handled in such a matter. Accessible payment methods are controlled by the organization's account.

Here is how the payment method is specified for B2B orders:

The client chooses an installment variant. When utilizing the Payment on Account variant, the Custom Reference Number can be specified to reference a receipt number.
The client clicks Place Purchase Order to put the order.

On the off chance that the organization has order Approval Rules, the request will go through the endorsement interaction. If not, it will be handled right away.

Organizations can handle who can make B2B purchase orders and the amount they can spend. For instance:

Any request below X dollars is handled right away.
Requests over X dollars but below Q dollars should be endorsed by Y.
Any request over X dollars should be supported by Y and Z.
A request made by anybody at the Director level or above is consequently endorsed.

With having the necessary consents for their job positions, B2B clients can set up endorsement rules to authorize organization strategies.

Modification of order summary page

The store administrator can change the number of things shown on the order outline at checkout. Naturally, the number is set to 10; however, it can be lowered to smooth out the showcase of orders with fewer items.

Navigate to Stores > Settings > Configuration > Sales > Checkout and expand the Checkout Options. Specify the Maximum Number of Items to Display in Order Summary as a maximal limit on the number of products to be shown. Save the changes and clear the cache.

Confirming the order

It should be confirmed after the purchase request is set as an order. Clients who have an account receive an order number and a button to create a receipt. They will also receive the request affirmation and order data by email. 
Shoppers without an account are urged to make it if they want to follow up with how their order is processed.

The order affirmation page is likewise called the Success page and is utilized by analytics to monitor conversion numbers.

Summary

It is very important for a store to create the correct checkout process. First of all, it should be safe, simple, and convenient for the buyer. This will reduce the number of potential abandoned purchases and increase your income. As a rule, additional magento 2 extensions can be used to improve the default Magento functionality.