I try to keep up with all things e-Commerce and recently had the honor of being a guest blogger.

Check out my recent guest article on the Independent Retailer about how to optimize your shopping cart.

Highlights from that article:

• Keep the Checkout Process Simple and Painless.
• Include a step-by-step update of the checkout process at the top of each page of your cart (“Sign in,” “Shipping/Payment,” “Gift Wrap,” “Review Order,” “Place Order,” etc.).
• Give shoppers the option to register or to continue as a guest purchaser. If you want them to register, ask again after they complete their order.
• Allow customers to click a box so that their ship to and bill to addresses are the same.
• Don’t use a third party shopping cart unless you have to – tracking is easier when all pages on same domain.