I want to disable the guest checkout!
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Category: ProductCart
Forum Name: Using ProductCart
Forum Description: Running your store with ProductCart
URL: https://forum.productcart.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3189
Printed Date: 02-April-2025 at 9:56pm
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Topic: I want to disable the guest checkout!
Posted By: highgravity
Subject: I want to disable the guest checkout!
Date Posted: 08-November-2009 at 6:23pm
I have to say that we love everything about the upgrade to version 4 except for the guest checkout.
Desiree Knott High Gravity Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies 7164 S Memorial Tulsa, OK 74133 (918) 461-2605 desiree@highgravitybrew.com http://www.highgravitybrew.com |
Replies:
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 08-November-2009 at 8:04pm
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Hi Desiree,
This is currently not an option and changing the behavior will require some careful code editing. The reason why this was not setup as an option is that the requests for the addition of a true guest checkout mechanism were so overwhelmingly "for" the feature that we decided to make it a default behavior. We will reconsider this for a future release. As for your current issues: you can switch the account type "on behalf of the customer": log in to review the customer's order using the unique Order Code and customer's e-mail address, then use the feature at the bottom of the order details page to convert to a registered account. You can use a temporary password for that purpose. If you decide to go this route, you should add this to your Web site's "Terms & Conditions" so that it is documented why you take that step and what the consequences are (really, there are none other than the fact that you are creating a temporary password for the customer). Of course, you should also let the customer know, and provide him/her with the temporary password. We hope this makes sense. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: john
Date Posted: 09-December-2009 at 7:56pm
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This new feature is causing me a few problems as I have been using the customer ID as an account number in my accounting system. Returning customers have started to use Guest checkout. Is it an option to remove the Guest Checkout and continue button from the OnePageCheckout.asp page.? |
Posted By: BrianRoden
Date Posted: 06-January-2010 at 11:35am
| We also are having problems with customers not being able to check their order status for physical products or not being able to get logged back in to download their digital products when they check out without registering a password. Most of it is "user error", people just not paying attention and closely following the instructions. But we can't just tell the customers "you're not smart enough to understand and follow directions." |
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 07-January-2010 at 3:21am
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The ability to turn Guest Checkout "off" is being considered for inclusion in ProductCart v4.1. This version, however, will not be released for a couple of months. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 06-February-2010 at 9:11pm
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We have just released a mod for v4 which eliminates the option for a customer to check out as a guest.
The mod forces customers to create a password and thereby establish an account.
See http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/widgets/thirdparty/guestcheckouteliminator - http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/widgets/thirdparty/guestcheckouteliminator for more info.
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Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 26-February-2010 at 7:26pm
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I just had some strange checkout problems with a couple of existing customers this week. I don't know how they did it, they have ordered from us several times before, but they created a second "Guest" account while trying to place an order or somehow their cart got saved as a guest. Unfortunately, they had trouble logging in and were given error messages when trying to checkout and lost their cart. Thank goodness they called me. I wonder how many didn't call. I don't really know how to recreate what happened but I will be testing to see exactly what occurred.
------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 26-February-2010 at 9:05pm
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Hi Cindy, There is an issue where customers can get rather stuck between registered and guest accounts. Greg Dinger first brought it up to EI and I confirmed that I had encountered it too. EI found the issue and I expect should have a patch for it pretty soon.
Meanwhile, if (as per the title of this thread) you are looking to eliminate the guest checkout option altogether, please see http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/widgets/thirdparty/guestcheckouteliminator - http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/widgets/thirdparty/guestcheckouteliminator
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Posted By: intour
Date Posted: 01-March-2010 at 6:07am
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I am also having problems with the Guest checkout.
I think that the requests for this feature in verion 4 have been misinterpreted. The guest checkout feature was to be in additon to the existing 'create a new account' option not instead of it.
This is causing big problems for some of my customers who often have to access a customers account after they have placed an order.
It is good that Sean has created a Mod for this but I am concerned that if I use it how it will effect future versions which do allow the account creation.
I'll ask Sean seperately.
Nigel
------------- http://www.innerview.co.uk - Innerview Productcart Platinum Reseller Web Design/Hosting/Virtual Tours |
Posted By: Hamish
Date Posted: 01-March-2010 at 6:17am
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Hi Nigel, The ability to disable the guest checkout is on our priority list for the next version of ProductCart. ------------- Editing ProductCart Code? See http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/developers/editcode" rel="nofollow - WIKI Guidelines for Editing ProductCart's ASP Source Code |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 01-March-2010 at 11:39am
Hi Nigel,
Thought I'd answer you here for the benefit of others as well.
As with all of our mods and add-ons we strive to leave as light a finger print on PC code as possible. Most everything is broken out into custom files to mitigate aganst issues with upgrades. This mod, for example, uses a custom version of the one page checkout. If 4.1 includes this option, it will effectively nuetralize the mod automatically.
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intour wrote:Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 01-March-2010 at 12:26pm
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We are indeed working on changes to the One Page Checkout system for version 4.1.
As soon as these changes are ready for BETA testing, we will point out test stores where everyone can see the updated behaviors and interfaces and provide feedback. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: intour
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 6:39am
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Hi Hamish,
There is another issue with the checkput procedure that needs addressing.
In version 4 as it stands there is no option for a customer to create a new account when checking out. They either have to be an existing customer or checkout as a guest.
This means that if they want to return to the store to check their previous orders they cannot do it as they have no password to login.
Nigel
------------- http://www.innerview.co.uk - Innerview Productcart Platinum Reseller Web Design/Hosting/Virtual Tours |
Posted By: Hamish
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 7:20am
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Hi Nigel, The Guest Checkout supports both guest checkout and creating a new account. The only difference is that a customer who goes through the checkout without setting a password is a guest checkout and one who sets a password gets a regular account. Customers who checkout as guests out get sent info via email which allows them to view their order. Hamish ------------- Editing ProductCart Code? See http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/developers/editcode" rel="nofollow - WIKI Guidelines for Editing ProductCart's ASP Source Code |
Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 9:27am
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Even though the customer is a "New Customer", the wording of the only
choices are between an existing customer and "Guest Checkout" is
confusing. We changed the languages file to make the choice as "New
Customer" instead of "Guest Checkout" and then when they are offered to
save a password in the opcheckout , this is a bit more clear. One thing I don't understand is why they have to enter their password twice. We don't ask them to enter their email twice although I get more incorrect emails than errors on passwords. Entering it twice seems to be too much effort for most people and they just click on "No Thanks" since it is easier. IMHO, customers should not have to enter the password twice, then more customers would actually create accounts which is what we want them all to do! Also, why does the Guest Checkout code have to be so looonnnngg? If you have to hand type those numbers it is a real pain! Here is my revised Checkout page  ------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: mattprice
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 9:32am
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I think I see where Nigel is coming from. The Guest Checkout does indeed give the option to set a password on the one page checkout screen and become a registered user and it even gives the "guest" the option to become a registered user after they have ordered. What isnt obvious is how they can become a "registered user" if they want to.
It may just be down to the displayed wording or terminology. The options at the start of the checkout process might look to new customers as though a registered user is a club to which they do not belong (and have no way of belonging to). In other words, it is not obvious that a registered user = a guest user with a password.
As an aside to this, I just wanted to add that I too am in favour of the proposal to make guest checkout an optional store setting in V4.1. I think it a great option for many stores but will not work for us as we need to engage with the customer via the built in Helpdesk after they order.
Matt
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Posted By: mattprice
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 9:34am
Cindy, you beat me to the post here  but I think we were both on the same wavelength in that the options are confusing at checkout.
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Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 9:49am
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Yes, I agree they can be confusing but really after changing the wording, I haven't had any complaints. I don't mind letting folks use the guest checkout but the double password is really stopping so many from just adding a password that it really is amazing. The psychological side of just having to enter one more thing is too much for them. We use the contact form primarily and the help desk is available but not our only means of communication so we aren't really worried about whether or not they sign up for an account. I would prefer to turn off the "No Thanks" which would force them to enter a password and turn off any future messages that come up about guest checkout. That would be extremely helpful I think. ------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: highgravity
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 10:49am
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Well, I don't see a problem with entering the password twice. Every website that I've ever registered on requires you to input the password twice. It is for good reason. It is easy to mistype what you are entering when the characters are hidden.
------------- Desiree Knott High Gravity Homebrewing & Winemaking Supplies 7142 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74133 (918) 461-2605 desiree@highgravitybrew.com http://www.highgravitybrew.com |
Posted By: intour
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 10:51am
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Hi Cindy,
I was looking at the code on the onepagecheckout.asp earlier today and it looks like a fairly simple job to change it to a single password entry.
I'll try it out and if it works ok I'lls end you the file.
Nigel ------------- http://www.innerview.co.uk - Innerview Productcart Platinum Reseller Web Design/Hosting/Virtual Tours |
Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 12:15pm
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I tried it earlier and it gave an error so there is code connected somewhere else
------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: intour
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 12:39pm
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Hi Cindy,
The validation code for the double password is is in onepagecheckoutJS.asp so you have to edit that file and onepagecheckout.asp
I don't think its anywhere else.
Nigel ------------- http://www.innerview.co.uk - Innerview Productcart Platinum Reseller Web Design/Hosting/Virtual Tours |
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 03-March-2010 at 12:58pm
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We will soon being ALPHA testing changes to the checkout process. As previously mentioned, we will post here links to an internal test store where you can test the changes and provide your feedback. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: benpate
Date Posted: 10-March-2010 at 12:17pm
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Great looking forward to it. I just went LIVE to v4 and this is causing some confusion. This sums it up... In version 4 as it stands there is no option for a customer to
create a new account when checking out. They either have to be an
existing customer or checkout as a guest.
I think I will also do the change to "new customer" and let them decide later if they want to enter a password. ------------- http://www.web1seo.com - ProductCart SEO - Resellers and Affiliates welcome |
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 1:37pm
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Alpha testing has been completed on this modification to the v4 checkout system. This is such an important feature that we want you to be able to review it and provide feedback well ahead of the 4.1 release (release date yet to be finalized - probably June). You can test it on this internal test store, which is a copy of the ProductCart standard version demo store that is active on the Early Impact Web site. This test store is being regularly updated with the latest v4.1 files. Storefront: http://www.earlyimpact.net/stdv41/pc/ - http://www.earlyimpact.net/stdv41/pc/ Control Panel: http://www.earlyimpact.net/stdv41/pcadmin - http://www.earlyimpact.net/stdv41/pcadmin (12345/demo) You will find the 3 "Guest Checkout" settings under "Settings > Checkout Options"  We look forward to your feedback. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: intour
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 2:58pm
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Excellent News.
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Nigel ------------- http://www.innerview.co.uk - Innerview Productcart Platinum Reseller Web Design/Hosting/Virtual Tours |
Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 3:30pm
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My first reaction is that it is not visible enough. Most folks like me use autofill and I did not even see the password fields when I put an order through. Can it still be separated like before to make it very noticeable. I would also suggest an instruction like " (5 characters min.)" next to the field.
------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: intour
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 3:48pm
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I never use the autofill - drives me nuts !
I do agree with you on the visibilty though Cindy - The password field is rather hidden within the address boxes.
Nigel ------------- http://www.innerview.co.uk - Innerview Productcart Platinum Reseller Web Design/Hosting/Virtual Tours |
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 3:56pm
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Thank you for your feedback.
Please always indicate which of the 3 settings you are testing with. The behavior changes depending on which setting you choose in the Control Panel. As for the password fields: we plan on adding a text message above the fields to let customers know why they may want to register. Of course, this message will be hidden when option #3 is chosen, since the password becomes a required field. We can also add some interface elements to make the password fields more visible (e.g. different background color) when options 1 and 2 are used. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: mattprice
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 5:51pm
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I too am wondering why the password field has been moved within the "Address" section. It seemed to make sense where it was before, towards the end of the onepage process.
The new layout gives the appearance that the password is being applied to the address rather than the whole account.
It is such an important field that it could even have had its own section in my mind with a store defined decription field above (like is currently available with the shipping section) so a store owner could add their own notes with regards the password field (eg benefits of becoming a registered user, a link to the stores privacy policy or as Cindy suggested a min number of characters etc etc).
Matt
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Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 15-March-2010 at 6:04pm
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Yes, I agree Matt, psychologically this stuff is very important. I felt that the old location was fine and very easy to follow along the checkout steps. I also feel that having to enter it twice makes it a chore for them that they try to avoid by not choosing to enter a password. I purchase online myself quite a bit and to have to enter any information redundantly slows me down and will deter me from setting up an account. (I can modify this myself if most people prefer it with the double entry but it is just my two cents.) By the way, I am planning to use Option 3 and require everyone to enter a password, just keep from having to deal with this issue. I have so many customers that are creating multiple accounts it is ridiculous. Thanks for the work you have done to this issue. ------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: whizzinpc
Date Posted: 16-March-2010 at 2:59pm
| any chance this might be released before June as a standalone update? |
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 16-March-2010 at 3:02pm
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We are going to make some interface changes and should be able to provide you with some "BETA" files within a couple of weeks. ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 16-March-2010 at 3:19pm
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If anyone's interested, we're reduced the price on our Guest Checkout Eliminator to $24.95:
http://wiki.earlyimpact.com/widgets/thirdparty/guestcheckouteliminator |
Posted By: benpate
Date Posted: 17-March-2010 at 4:26pm
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I agree that the password is in a weird spot. Where it was before is better it should just be mandatory similar to Sean's guest checkout eliminator. Some more rambling... I personally liked the old form of checkout at least in the initial login stage. It was more like Amazon in that the first step for everyone was to enter your email address. Then if you are a returning customer enter your password, if not then continue and you will be asked to create password later. Right now as it stands the onepagecheckout seems to be most useful when you are processing cards offline. If you are using Authorize.net then you actually get redirected to a different page. It would be nice if there was an option to start the one page checkout with all items expanded. Has anyone reviewed their drop off rates or conversion rate since moving to v4 and onepagecheckout? I am curious if anyone has looked at this and how it compares to the previous checkout process. ------------- http://www.web1seo.com - ProductCart SEO - Resellers and Affiliates welcome |
Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 20-March-2010 at 3:12pm
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I am finding that many of our existing customers (some of whom only order once or twice a year) are setting up new guest accounts with each order. They may forget their password or have called in an order, which had us create a password for them in the past. Then when they try to have their password sent to them, it takes so long that they just continue as a guest. I found one customer that had 3 accounts! I guess the guest checkout is better than having them get frustrated and leave because they could not get in with their forgotten password but it would be nice if the password reminder email was quicker. The whole concept in having customers create accounts is to make checkout faster and we slow them down at every turn it seems. ------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: ProductCart
Date Posted: 20-March-2010 at 6:53pm
The e-mail reminder is sent instantly. If there is a delay, there must be an issue with the way e-mails are sent. For example, try using completely different, remote SMTP service (e.g. http://www.authsmtp.com/ - http://www.authsmtp.com/ ). As for the fact that a customer ends up with multiple accounts: that is by design. The alternative is to stop the customer and say "hey, we recognize you, we already have your e-mail on file with us, go retrieve your password"... which is what some customers do not like to be told, and that's why many merchants wanted guest checkout as part of ProductCart v4. If the customer ever decides to convert to a registered customer, ProductCart will then automatically notify him/her that there are other accounts in the system with the same e-mail, and that they can be merged into the new, registered account (so all orders appear under the same account). ------------- The ProductCart Team Home of ProductCart http://www.productcart.com" rel="nofollow - shopping cart software |
Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 9:39am
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OK...IVE REGISTERED...PLACED AN ORDER..MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT RECOGNIZED AND MY PURCHASE CODE26595 IS INVALID...HAVE I BEEN RIPPED OFF HERE? IS THIS WEB SITE A SCAM? I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT RIGHT NOW... This is an email received by my customer that had created 2 guest accounts, one with his order and another with no orders using the same email address for both. I know that creates some kind of conflict in the system. I don’t know why he created another account, and he never did the consolidation. Somewhere there is a breakdown that customers are missing how to log back in after ordering as a guest. He tried to use his order number instead of his long Guest checkout code which didn't work. How far along are we on turning off the guest checkout? ------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |
Posted By: mattprice
Date Posted: 30-March-2010 at 9:53am
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I purchased Sean's Guest Checkout Eliminator this morning because I wanted to launch our site this week without the Guest Checkout ....
Installation took less than 5 minutes and it barely touches the standard code so was well worth the 25 dollars.
I know EI are working on an option for this but if you want a quick fix that can be removed easily when EI come up with the files then its a good bet.
Matt
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Posted By: cpgmar
Date Posted: 05-May-2010 at 12:18pm
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I just realized that when a customer has a registered account, a guest account, and another guest account, all with the same email account, they get an error when checking out. I haven't been able to install the new changes yet because of mods to my version but is there some reason they are getting this error?
------------- Cindy The Tasteful Garden www.tastefulgarden.com |