Why 70% of MENA Shoppers Abandon Their Carts (And How You Can Stop It?)

In the MENA region, up to 70% of potential online sales vanish as customers abandon their shopping carts. In Saudi Arabia, this number can soar to 82%. Imagine the revenue boost if you could convert just a fraction of those abandoned carts into sales! 

For eCommerce businesses operating in this space, these statistics represent significant lost revenue. At Tap Payments, we understand the critical role that a smooth payment experience plays in converting browsers into buyers.

This guide will reveal proven strategies to reclaim those lost sales and transform window-shoppers into repeat customers.

What's the Deal with Abandoned Carts?

It's simple: People add stuff to their cart, then drop out before paying.

There are tons of reasons why this happens:

1. Lack of preferred payment methods
2. Concerns about payment security
3. Complex checkout processes
4. Insufficient payment information
5. Limited options for recurring payments or credit terms

Note: The percentages in the chart don't add up to 100% because respondents could select multiple reasons for abandoning their purchases during checkout.

Your Cart Abandonment Rescue Plan

Here are some practical ways you can try today to reduce abandoned carts and increase sales.

1- Make Buying Easy!

The name of the game is speed. Cutting down steps makes checkout fast, and that's what people want. Today's best online stores do it in just three or less clicks. Every unnecessary step is a potential exit point for your customers.

2- Offer Guest Checkout

Did you know that a whopping 31% of shoppers will ditch their cart if forced to create an account? That's like turning away one in three customers at your store's door! Offer a hassle-free guest checkout option, and watch your conversion rates soar.

3- Optimize for Speed and Responsiveness

In the world of eCommerce, every second counts. Google's research is eye-opening: Slashing page load time from 3 seconds to 1 second can reduce bounce rates by a third. But if your site takes 10 seconds to load? You might as well hang a "Gone Fishing" sign on your virtual storefront. Optimize ruthlessly, especially for mobile users who make up a growing chunk of MENA's online shoppers.

4- Be Upfront about Costs and Don't Hide Fees

Nobody likes surprises when they're about to pay. Be upfront about all costs from the get-go. Include taxes in your product prices and make shipping costs crystal clear. If you're running a promotion, ensure the final price aligns perfectly with what you've advertised. No surprises means happier customers and fuller carts.

5- Offer Localized Payment Options

One size does not fit all in the MENA region.

Offer all the payment methods that MENA customers trust and love.

• Credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express
• Local debit cards: e.g. mada (Saudi Arabia), KNET (Kuwait), Benefit (Bahrain), NAPs - QPay (Qatar), Fawry & Meeza (Egypt).
• Mobile wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Careem Pay, STC Pay
• Cash-on-delivery (still popular in many MENA markets)
• Buy-now-pay-later options: Provide products that enable flexible payment terms such as Tabby.

Not sure what's out there? Check out the MENA payment methods we support (link).

6- Enhance Payment Security

Implement robust security measures like 3D Secure 2.0 and tokenization. Display security badges prominently to build trust.

7- Support Multi-Currency Transactions

For businesses operating across the MENA region, increase sales by giving customers the flexibility to choose their currency of preference along with the currency conversion rate at the time of the transaction.

8- Offer Easy Returns and Exchanges – No Hassle! 

A clear policy helps people feel good about buying, especially if it's their first time at your store. Display trust certifications or industry badges prominently on your website to build confidence in your brand and show customers you're legit. Also, choose a payment partner that makes refunds easy (and ideally helps you prevent them in the first place).

9- Create Enticing Product Bundles

Package complementary items, similar products, or those perfect for a specific holiday or event. This strategy, known as "bundling," is a great way to increase sales.

You can promote these bundles with catchy names like:

• The Ramadan Feast Kit
• Ultimate Beach Day Essentials
• Work-From-Home Productivity Pack

Bundling encourages customers to buy more and makes decisions easier, leading to bigger shopping carts. Classic examples include "Buy two, get one free" or "Buy one, get the second half off."

Zid, a Saudi retail platform powerhouse, reported a 15% increase in average order value thanks to smart bundling.

Time to unleash your inner bundle artist!

10- Customer Service Heroes

Be there for your customers when they need you, especially during checkout. Live chat and chatbots are your friends for easy request updates.

But, have human agents on standby for more complex issues.

Ready to Transform Your Store?

Remember, each abandoned cart is a missed opportunity. By implementing these strategies, you'll create a shopping experience that keeps customers happy and coming back for more.

So, what are you waiting for? 

Start implementing these strategies today and watch your sales soar! 🚀

Need Help with Payments in MENA?

Tap Payments offers payment products tailored to the MENA region, designed to reduce cart abandonment and optimize your payment processes. Visit our website or chat with our payment experts to learn how we can help you get started with online payments.