Closing the Deal at the Virtual Checkout Counter

By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER, The New York Times
Published: October 11, 2009

Shoppers rarely drive to the mall, load up their carts and then abandon them in the middle of the store. On the Web, though, it happens all the time.

In online stores, it is much easier for shoppers to fill their virtual shopping carts — and much easier for them to get distracted by an e-mail message or comparison shopping on other sites. Then there are the design flaws and technical glitches that can get in the way of closing a sale.

These problems have been around since online shopping was invented, but they have taken on more urgency in the last year as consumer spending has shriveled. So e-commerce companies are trying a variety of techniques to push shoppers through the virtual checkout line.

Continue reading at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/technology/internet/12cart.html?th&emc=th