When a customer places an order in your online shop, the order summary page confirms their purchase. But it’s more than just a receipt, it’s a chance to build trust and encourage future sales.
Instead of a generic page, you can optimize it to make customers feel confident about their order, reduce any doubts, and even increase repeat purchases.
A clear, well-designed order summary reassures them, keeps them engaged, and makes the entire shopping experience smoother.
In this guide, you’ll learn what an order summary is, why it matters, and simple ways to make it work better for your business.
So let’s get started,
What Is Order Summary?
When your customer places an order, they are directed to an order summary page. This page confirms the purchase and provides a clear breakdown of their order details, ensuring trust and transparency.
A well-structured order summary typically includes:
- Order info: Order number & date, Customer email, total amount & payment method.
- Order details: Product name, quantity, price, and total amount.
- Billing & shipping information: Customer delivery info and recipient details.
- Order tracking: Estimated delivery time and tracking link.
- Additional actions: Download link for invoices, return policy, or upsell offers.
This page creates clarity for the customers with a review of what they just ordered.
Here’s an example of a typical order summary:
Elements of an Effective Order Summary
A typical order summary page should have the following elements:
1. Order Number/ID
The order number is a unique identifier for each transaction, making it easy to track and reference purchases. It ensures that both you and the customer can quickly find specific details about an order.
For example, suppose you are an online business coach, you could assign an order number like ABC12345 to a client’s course purchase.
This number can help them reference their order when reaching out for support or queries.
Including the order number in the summary page improves customer service by providing a clear way to track and resolve issues. It also enhances transparency and builds trust with your clients.
2. Customer Information
The customer information section includes details like the customer’s name, email, billing address, and shipping address. This ensures accurate records and helps you stay in touch with your customers.
For example, if a customer buys a product like a smartwatch from your online store, their information would include their name, email, and billing address for the invoice.
The shipping address would be used to deliver the product to the customer.
Including accurate customer information in the order summary ensures smooth processing and allows you to contact the right person if there are any delivery issues or follow-up needed.
3. Product Details
The product details section shows everything about the items your customer has purchased.
This includes the name or description of each product, the quantity ordered, the price per unit, and the subtotal for each item.
For example, if a customer orders a smartwatch and a phone case, they’ll see the product name, quantity, price, and total cost for each item.
The order summary will also show the grand total for the entire order, making it easy for them to review their order.
By including clear and detailed ordering details, you help ensure the customer has all the information they need and can quickly spot any issues before completing their purchase.
4. Order Status
The order status section provides a clear update on where your order is in the fulfillment process, helping you and your customer stay on the same page. Here’s a breakdown of common statuses:
- Pending: This means the order is awaiting payment or is still being processed. You might need to confirm payment or review the order before moving forward.
- Processing: This status indicates that the order is being prepared for shipment. It gives the customer a sense of progress, showing that their order is being worked on.
- Completed: The order has been fulfilled, and the customer’s purchase is finished. This is often when an orders summary report is generated and sent for record-keeping.
- Shipped: The order has been sent out to the customer. This is typically accompanied by tracking details, providing customer assurance.
5. Payment Information
The payment information section gives a clear overview of how the customer paid for their order.
It includes the payment method used (like credit card or PayPal), the transaction ID for easy tracking, and the total amount paid.
For example, when you review your order, you’ll see details like the payment method used and the exact amount paid, making it easy for both you and the customer to track payments.
This transparency helps build trust and ensures there are no surprises when the customer checks their order summary.
6. Shipping Information
The shipping information section shows all the details about how the customer’s order will be delivered. This includes the shipping method, estimated delivery date, shipping cost, and tracking info.
For example, when you review your order, the order summary will display the shipping method and estimated delivery date, along with a tracking number to follow the shipment’s progress.
These ordering details give the customer a clear idea of when to expect their order and help build trust with full purchase details and delivery details.
7. Taxes and Fees
The taxes and fees section gives a clear breakdown of any taxes, extra fees, or discounts applied to the order subtotal. This ensures full transparency about the final amount paid.
For example, when you review your order, the order summary will show the tax, any additional charges, or discounts applied, so there are no surprises.
By including this information, you help the customer easily understand what they’re paying for, making the entire process clearer when they review their order.
8. Order Notes
The order notes section displays any additional comments, special instructions, or messages related to the order. This allows you and your customer to communicate specific needs or provide extra details.
For example, if a customer adds a note about a special delivery request, it will appear in the order summary. This helps keep everything clear and organized.
Including order notes in the summary, and document options ensures that both you and the customer have all the important information at hand, making it easier to handle any item-related details or special requests.
9. Date and Time
The date and time section shows exactly when the order was placed. This helps you and the customer keep track of the transaction within a specified period.
For example, when you review your order, the summary will include the exact date and time, so both parties have a clear record.
Having this timestamp ensures you maintain an accurate chronological record of all transactions, making it easy to reference later.
10. Actions
The actions section shows tasks you can manage, like processing the order, generating invoices, printing packing slips, or sending order confirmation emails.
For example, when you check your order, you can take actions like processing or sending updates right from the order summary.
Tools like Zintego automate these tasks, letting you customize templates with your brand logo. This saves time and helps keep everything organized.
Purpose of Using Order Summary
Order summaries serve different purposes described below:
- Clarity & Transparency: By presenting a detailed summary, you help the customer understand exactly what they’ve purchased and give them peace of mind that everything is accurate.
- Confirmation of Order: The order summary acts as confirmation that the order has been received and payment has been processed successfully, providing a sense of completion.
- Build Trust: With a clear checkout total amount, you can reassure the customer that their purchase is confirmed, increasing trust in your business.
- Detailed Information: The summary offers a comprehensive overview of the order, giving the customer all the important details, from item-related details to the client owes – total amount.
- Easy Tracking: It provides customers with the option to track their orders and stay updated on the shipping status, making it easy to stay informed on their purchases.
- Actionable Next Steps: By including various tasks like “process order” or “send confirmation,” you make it easy to take immediate actions, helping to streamline your workflow.
Best Practices to Optimize Order Summary
Here are some tips to optimize the order summary for maximum impact.
1. Streamlined Information Presentation
Provide your customers with a clear and concise breakdown of their orders. Include the items purchased, quantities, prices, taxes, shipping costs, and the total amount.
Make sure everything is easy to read and well-organized so they can quickly understand their order.
For example, when you sell multiple clothing items to a customer, the order summary should clearly show each item, its size and color, the individual price, quantity, subtotal, and total cost.
This clear and simple layout will help your customers easily verify their order, giving them the confidence that everything is accurate and correctly placed.
2. Visual Enhancements and Branding
Make your order summary page reflect your brand with the right color scheme and typography.
You can personalize it by adjusting field borders, and background colors, and adding branding images like your logo or motivational images above or below the order summary area.
For example, if you are a gym trainer, you could use your gym’s colors, like energetic reds or blues, to highlight key sections of the order summary.
Adding your logo or an inspiring quote above the summary can reinforce your brand identity, making customers feel connected and motivated while reviewing their purchases.
3. Incorporating Cross-selling
Boost your sales by suggesting relevant products from the same category right below or beside the order summary.
This encourages your customers to explore more items they might like, increasing the chances of additional purchases.
For example, if you are running a digital marketing agency and a client orders a social media management package, you could suggest additional services like SEO optimization or paid ad campaigns.
These targeted recommendations help your clients discover more ways to grow their business while increasing your revenue.
4. Encourage to Follow on Social Media
Enhance your connection with customers by adding social media icons to your order summary, encouraging them to follow you.
This works especially well for customers who are active on social media and enjoy staying updated.
For example, if you are a digital course creator, include social media links to platforms like Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn. Invite your customers to follow you for more educational content, course updates, and tips.
This keeps them engaged with your brand and builds a loyal community around your courses.
5. Include Information on Loyalty Programs & Referral Benefits
Encourage repeat business by showcasing your loyalty and referral programs right after the order summary. This motivates customers to keep coming back and rewards them for spreading the word.
For example, if you run a grocery shop, offer a points system for discounts or a referral program where customers earn rewards for bringing in friends.
Including this info makes it easy for customers to join and benefit right away.
Benefits of Optimizing Order Summary
Optimizing the order summary experience can provide the following benefits:
- Reduce Order Cancellations: A detailed breakdown of purchased items, quantities, and costs minimizes confusion, reducing the chances of cancellations and smoothing the order process.
- Enhance Customer Satisfaction: A personalized order summary with messages or discounts can leave a positive impression, making customers more likely to return for repeat business.
- Reduce Friction: Providing a clear, simple review of the order helps customers catch any mistakes before finalizing, ensuring they get exactly what they want.
- Increase Trust: Transparency in pricing, taxes, and shipping details builds trust with your customers, encouraging future purchases.
- Boost Engagement: By including referral or loyalty program details, you encourage customers to come back and refer others, growing your customer base.
- Improve Order Accuracy: A well-organized order summary ensures customers double-check everything before confirming, leading to fewer errors and returns.
- Increase Conversions: Offering to upsell or cross-sell products in the summary section gives customers more purchasing options, increasing overall sales.
- Enhance Professionalism: A clean and professional summary makes your business appear more credible and trustworthy, which can make customers feel confident in their purchase.
- Foster Long-Term Relationships: Including follow-up options like social media links or special promotions keeps your business on their mind, encouraging a long-term relationship.
- Reduce Support Requests: By offering all the necessary information in one place, you reduce the number of questions or support inquiries, making your business more efficient.
How to Use a Custom Thank You Page for Order Summary in WooCommerce?
If you’re looking to fully customize your order summary page for your WooCommerce store, you can easily do that with the right plugin. One great option is WPFunnels, a powerful sales funnel builder made specifically for WooCommerce.
With WPFunnels, you can create a custom checkout page, add dynamic one-click upsell offers, and even design a personalized thank-you page.
The plugin makes it easy to tailor the order summary and funnel to your business needs. It also helps you deliver a smooth and engaging experience for your customers.
It’s really simple – just 5 quick steps:
- Optimize Thank You Page: Design your thank you page with personalized elements that enhance the customer experience.
- Create a Funnel: Set up a funnel with a checkout page, upsell offers, and a thank you page.
- Set Condition: Choose “Any product is selected” to apply this funnel to your entire WooCommerce store.
- Customize Checkout: Tailor the checkout page to fit your brand and your customers’ needs.
- Assign Upsell: Add a product and offer a discount with your upsell page to encourage more purchases.
With Global Funnels you can create custom checkout pages, upsell offers, and personalized thank-you pages, all designed to optimize the customer journey.
Where You Can See an Order Summary
You can find your order summary in several places throughout the buying process:
- After Checkout: Right after you place your order, you’ll be directed to an order summary page that shows all your order details.
- Order Confirmation Email: You’ll receive a summary email with a breakdown of your items, total cost, payment method, and shipping info.
- Customer Account Page: If you have an account with the store, you can view past orders and their summaries by logging in.
- Mobile App: If the store has an app, you can check your order summary under your account or purchase history section.
- SMS or Text Message: Some stores send an order summary via SMS to keep you updated on your purchase status.
In each of these, you’ll be able to quickly review everything and make sure your order is just as you wanted it.
Conclusion
Your order summary page isn’t just a receipt, it’s a chance to build trust and create an easy shopping experience. By optimizing it, you can boost customer confidence and even drive more sales.
A well-structured page keeps buyers engaged and encourages repeat business. Small improvements can make a big difference in retention and growth.
If you want an easier way to enhance your order summary, WPFunnels is a great tool to help you integrate it into your marketing strategy effortlessly.
** FAQs **
Why is an order summary important in online shopping?
- Your order summary ensures accuracy and builds trust by giving customers a clear breakdown of their purchase. It reduces confusion, minimizes order-related queries, and provides transparency in pricing, delivery method, and recipient information.
How can you optimize your order summary for better customer engagement?
- Make it clear and visually appealing by using branding, and highlighting key details like item-related information, total amount, and delivery method. You can also include upselling and cross-selling opportunities to enhance the customer experience.
What should be included in an order confirmation email?
- A simple summary should list purchased items, quantities, total amount, checkout summary, and customer delivery info. Providing a download link for invoices and order-related documents ensures easy access for your customers.
Why is order confirmation essential for e-commerce businesses?
- Order confirmation reassures customers that their purchase is complete. It finalizes transactions, provides a summary document, and ensures smooth processing, reducing potential disputes or misunderstandings.
How can you enhance credibility through the order confirmation process?
- Ensure transparency by using a detailed yet easy-to-read order summary. Including internal notes, order summary reports, and clear pricing—such as what the client owes—helps reinforce trust while maintaining a professional approach.
