Show checkout progress: which step the shopper is on
A progress indicator tells shoppers how many steps remain. Show the current step so checkout feels short and known.
1 min read
Area
CRO & UX
Severity
Medium
Fix effort
Medium
Stores failing
Not enough data
A progress indicator, such as Information, Shipping, Payment, shows where the shopper is and how much is left. It makes a multi-step checkout feel short. This check looks for it on a checkout that has more than one step.
Why it matters
People finish tasks when they can see the end. A known number of steps feels easier than an unknown one. Single-page checkouts do not need it.
What the audit looks at
The audit reads checkout for step labels or a progress component when the flow has several steps.
What usually causes it
- A multi-step checkout with unlabelled steps
- A theme that hides the breadcrumb on mobile
- Custom checkout development that skipped it
- A wizard with steps that change dynamically
How to fix it
Show the shopper which step they are on and how many are left. The effort is medium, a theme or template edit that takes an afternoon.
- Show a simple step indicator (Information, Shipping, Payment) at the top of the checkout.
On Shopify
- Shopify's checkout shows a breadcrumb of steps. If it is missing, a custom checkout is in use.
On WooCommerce
- Use a multi-step checkout plugin or a block-based checkout that shows steps.
How to check it yourself
- Walk through checkout and note whether you know where you are.
- Check mobile.
- Test back navigation between steps.
Frequently asked questions
What if my checkout has one page?
Then no indicator is needed, and the check is not applicable.
How many steps are best?
Fewer is better. Three or four is common.
Related checks
Check your own store
See whether your store passes this check
Paste your store URL. The audit loads your pages in a real browser and shows the result for this check with the evidence behind it.