We’ve all heard and seen the statistics - shopping cart abandonment has reached epidemic levels with some sources quoting up to 40% of checkouts ending without a conversion.

Irrespective of the loss in revenue, the likelihood of a repeat purchase from these users is also slim to say the least.

So how do we fix this problem? Single-page checkouts have proven again and again to work better. Online customers have little or no patience when it comes to form-filling and security procedures. Asking them to fill in several pages can lead to them getting frustrated and clicking away.

Unfortunately some payment services such as Mastercard’s 3D secure insist on multi-page checkout, leaving the site developers with no option but to implement this format, but the site owners can vote with their business by choosing options that do not insist on this level of security.

3D secure can be problematic due to forgotten passwords, time taken to fill in the forms, additional fees incurred, etc. It may sell itself on customer confidence, but is it working?

No, in our opinion - and that of an increasing majority on internet platforms. An A/B test carried out on the 2010 Vancouver Olympics online store showed that the simple, one-page checkout increased conversion rates by 21.8% over the multi-page version (based on a 50-50 split of users).

One-page checkouts just make sense. They’re quicker, easier, appeal to the online user mentality and provide a higher conversion rate. It’s a no-brainer!

This problem also applies to multi-page versus single-page forms. The single-page registration process (as in single-page payment processes) tend to be more successful as the users can see the entire form immediately, are less suspicious of the time it will take to complete and are less likely to bounce-from / leave the process half way through.

They can also see all of the questions in advance, make amendments/adjustments without having to return to previous pages, and are more likely to follow through to the end.

So, whilst multi-page checkout and form submissions may offer additional security and the ability to source more information, if the user is likely to abandon prior to completion, then what’s the point. If your system allows for single-page processes, then stick with it. You’ll benefit in the long run.

Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry T.D., launched the Small Business Finance website, a joint initiative by the Irish Banking Federation (IBF) and Chambers Ireland, at an event in the National Gallery, Dublin. 

Supported by additional content from sponsors Eversheds, Mazars and Energia, the Small Business Finance website is an open resource for small businesses of all backgrounds and at various stages of development on business planning and financial management.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Small Business, John Perry T.D, said:

“Ireland’s small business sector has thrived in the past and the Small Business Finance website is a sign of our innovative and enterprising ability for the future. Having addressed the information gap between larger business or financial organisations and the small business sector previously it is highly encouraging to see some of Ireland’s most capable businesses work together to create such a valuable resource, not just for the small businessman, but for Ireland’s overall economy. I commend those who have put such hard work into it and look forward to witnessing the rewards”.

Somewhere along the line you started treating it more like a resume. It’s time to fix that.

Read this excellent article from Jeff Haden at Inc.com

Packed full of informative detail, the site also features the ten Auris Hybrid TV ads that are currently being aired.

We have just launched the new Auris Hybrid Microsite for Toyota Ireland.

Packed full of informative detail, the site also features the ten Auris Hybrid TV ads that are currently being aired.

Toyota just recently delivered its 400,000th hybrid in Europe - an Auris Hybrid. It was handed over to Valentine Nkwocha in Anderlecht (Belgium) as a company car from his employer CTG, an IT-consultancy.

To date, Toyota has sold more than 3.5 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, representing a reduction of more than 23 million tons of CO2. Following the recent European Commission results confirming the industry leadership of Toyota Motor Europe with the lowest fleet-wide average CO2 emissions in Europe in 2010, Toyota will offer even more choice for hybrid vehicles in 2012 when the new seven-seater Toyota Prius+ and Prius Plug-in Hybrid join the Prius to make up the Prius Family.

Launched in 2011, the New Yaris will soon be offered as a full hybrid version when the Yaris Hybrid makes its market debut later this year.

For more information, click here.

To view the microsite, visit http://www.aurishybrid.ie

It’s time to recharge our batteries, gorge on Christmas treats and catch up with family (who’ve been missing us during the busy month of December).

So, to all of our clients, we’ll be closing for Chistmas week.

Closing:          December 23rd, 12:00pm
Re-opening:    January 3rd, 9:00am

We wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012.

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.
- Garrison Keillor

We would like to wish all of our clients and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Thanks to everyone for your continued business - it’s been a pleasure and we look forward to continuing the relationship in 2012.

This year, instead of sending cards or gifts, we have made a charitable donation to the ISPCC Christmas Appeal.

Last Christmas, 40% of children’s calls went unanswered due to a severe lack of resources. Over 90% of the income needed to fund the ISPCC services to children comes from the general public in Ireland.

For some children, Christmas is just another day to fear.

As a producer of irresistible Irish country & lifestyle clothing & accessories, Jack Murphy required a website that matched their classical product with a contemporary twist.

Framework Design designed and developed a modern, classic website that made best use or their beautiful photography and clearly showcases the product range.

Extremely user-friendly and with many options to interact with the brand, the site will see further development as part of Phase Two in the new year.

So check back to keep abreast of the Jack Murphy online brand story. To view full project details, click here.

With an award for ‘IP Firm of the Year’ already in their clutches, Tomkins approached us to help them achieve an online brand presence that matched their reputation in their field.

Our main challenge was to establish distinct navigational channels and provide relevant content and calls to action for their main client markets.

It was also important that the site did not follow the usual design formula for Intellectual Property firms, but established Tomkins as a modern, experienced and approachable firm.

You can view the project details, see the work and link to their site from here.

The newly redesigned Setanta website is now live.

Established in Dublin in 1998 Setanta Asset Management Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Canada Life Irish Holding Company Limited, is a dedicated value manager who invest clients’ money by following a ‘value’ framework laid out by Benjamin Graham.

Framework Design redesigned and developed their website to provide an attractive, professional and user-intuitive interface, bringing the focus on product to the fore and introducing clear calls to action.

The new site has successfully improved the navigational flow and ease of use and enhances the user experience.

For more information on the project, click here.

We have just launched a new site for Patrick J Farrell & Company, Solicitors.

This new website breaks the mold of your typical law firm site, incorporating interactive elements such as video, downloadable fact sheets and intuitive calls to action.

High-grade photography place a personal face to this multi-disciplinary law firm based in County Kildare.

We worked closely with the team to provide a site that utilises video, defines the firm’s personality and provides useful information to the site visitor.

For more details click here.