• Denys Kyrychenko, Co-Founder & CEO at Corefy


• 27.10.2025 04:15 pm
#CheckoutOptimisation #PaymentExperience

A user might love your product, trust your brand, and complete the entire shopping journey. But if your checkout UX design is clunky, confusing, or slow, they’ll bounce.

This isn't speculation. Global cart abandonment rates hover around 70%, and nearly 1 in 5 users drop off because checkout is too complicated or lengthy. Baymard's multi-year research reveals that fixing solvable payment UX issues can lift conversion by up to 35%.

One of our key focuses at Corefy, a leading payment orchestration platform, is to give our clients a unique checkout experience that truly converts. That’s why I decided to share the battle-tested checkout page best practices our Product team applies every day to help merchants deliver exceptional payment experiences.

Foundations of a high-converting checkout

Checkout is the moment of highest intent. Nail the fundamentals here, and you’ll dramatically increase your checkout completion rate. 

Choosing the right flow

There’s no universal “perfect” checkout flow, but some patterns outperform others: 

• The step-by-step flow is best for mobile, guiding the user through clear stages like payment method, card details, and confirmation.

• Progressive disclosure is ideal for desktop, as it expands the chosen method inline so the user sees everything at once without extra navigation.

“The first flow is great for mobile because it removes distractions. The second works well on desktop because you don’t have to navigate back and forth or redirect – the user sees everything at once.”

Ihor Kostiuk

Product designer at Corefy

Reducing steps and mental effort always works. BigCommerce, for example, reported a 37% conversion lift after switching to a simplified one-page checkout.

Make feedback instant and clear

A high-performing checkout page design should feel dynamic and responsive. Real-time feedback reduces failed attempts and builds user confidence:

• Validate as they type: if the card number fails, show “That card number doesn’t look right – try again?” before submission.

• Prevent format errors: auto-format to MM/YY.

• Right keyboard on mobile: numeric keypad for card, expiry, CVV, ZIP/postcode.

• Dynamic hints: help users complete fields correctly by showing context-aware guidance in real time.

Microcopy that speaks human

Payment errors are inevitable, but how you communicate them makes the difference. Cryptic codes like “Error 510” only frustrate users. Instead, show clear messages like:

• “Please enter your first and last name.”

• “Card number seems incomplete. Please double-check.”

• “Use MM/YY format for the expiry date.”

“Our role is to guide users clearly and effortlessly, ensuring they never feel stuck or stressed. And when challenges appear, quick support touchpoints – chatbots, live chat, or a well-placed FAQ – can make the difference between an abandoned cart and a successful transaction.”

Ihor Kostiuk

Product designer at Corefy

Building trust at checkout

Trust is currency in online payments. But what makes people feel safe enough to click ‘Pay’?

Visible trust markers

The most effective trust signals are often the simplest. Key elements include:

• HTTPS – a non-negotiable baseline 

• Lock icons and “Secure checkout” messaging

• PCI DSS compliance badge (if relevant for your audience)

• Recognisable payment logos (Visa, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)

• Consistent branding (logo/colors) even on redirects

Upfront data transparency

A trusted checkout gives users clarity, not surprises. Display:

• Total cost and currency at every step

• Shipping and delivery terms before payment

• Any fees or taxes in advance, not hidden in fine print

"When shoppers see the same amount throughout the entire checkout journey, they know nothing will change unexpectedly – and that clarity not only boosts conversion rates but also helps prevent misunderstandings and future disputes."

Ihor Kostiuk

Product designer at Corefy

Familiar payment methods build credibility

When users see trusted express payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal, their confidence and willingness to complete the transaction increases. These methods are not only fast and convenient but also signal that your business has met trusted verification standards.

Localising payment experiences

A 2024 survey revealed that 94% of buyers say local currency visibility influences their decision to buy. But effective localisation goes far beyond simply showing prices in the right currency.

Auto-detecting geo and language

A good checkout adapts to the user’s context in real time. By detecting their location, it can switch language, display prices in the local currency, and use familiar number formats – small details that make the experience feel natural and trustworthy.

But automation shouldn’t limit control. For example, someone using a VPN or shopping from another country might prefer a different language or currency. A visible language and currency switcher should be available at checkout, and any user selection should override the automated default and persist throughout the session.This balance of smart defaults and user choice keeps the checkout flexible and frictionless.

Prioritising payment methods that convert

When users are faced with too many choices, they hesitate, and hesitation at checkout often leads to abandonment. A better approach is to carefully select and prioritise the methods that are most likely to convert.

Start by focusing on the most popular payment options in the user’s region. Then, make sure fast and reliable digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay are easy to find and use. Finally, adapt the available methods to the device type and user behaviour, ensuring the experience feels natural whether the customer is on mobile or desktop.

“Hick’s Law reminds us that simplicity drives action. Every extra payment option adds cognitive load, slowing users down. A focused, trust-building set of payment methods reduces friction and accelerates decision-making.”

Ihor Kostiuk

UX/UI designer at Corefy

How to identify weak points in your checkout

Launching your checkout is just the beginning. Optimising it is an ongoing process. Unlike other user flows where small glitches might be tolerated, checkout involves real money and real trust. Even rare scenarios must be anticipated, tested, and accounted for to avoid lost transactions and frustrated users.

To identify where users struggle:

• Form analytics: track field completion times, drop-off points, and error rates.

• Heatmaps and session recordings: see where users click, hesitate, or leave.

• A/B testing: compare variations of copy, layout, or default payment method to measure real impact.

For example, if users often abandon at the payment method selection stage, you may need to reorder or simplify available options. If drop-offs happen after form entry, review your error handling and validation.

Key takeaways

• Build on strong foundations: choose the right flow for your audience, offer instant feedback, and use clear, human microcopy to reduce friction.

• Earn trust through visibility: simple trust markers – HTTPS, lock icons, recognisable payment logos, and consistent branding – help users feel secure.

• Localise smartly: detect location and language automatically, but let users stay in control. Local currencies, familiar formats, and relevant payment methods build confidence.

• Keep it simple: too many payment options can hurt conversion. Prioritise high-performing, trusted methods.

• Continuously optimise: checkout isn’t “done” after launch. Use analytics, heatmaps, and A/B tests to find friction points and improve.

Checkout design is easier to get right when you can see it in action. Our interactive Checkout editor demo lets you test different flows, preview the UX, and experiment with details like field order, button styles, and colour schemes – all in real time and with no commitment. Click around, and see exactly how your checkout could look and feel.

Denys Kyrychenko is the founder of Corefy, a global payment orchestration platform, and PayAtlas, a payment community platform connecting providers and merchants. With nearly two decades of experience in software development, system architecture, and management, he brings deep expertise in online payments and fintech innovation. Over the course of his career, Denys has helped launch numerous PSPs and e-wallets and co-founded Interkassa, a payment aggregator. A graduate of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, he is dedicated to building scalable, efficient payment infrastructure that enables businesses worldwide to optimise conversions, reduce costs, and expand seamlessly into new markets.