Checkout .NET Controls

Closely related to the shopping cart is the Checkout process, which gathers final order and payment information and concludes the transaction. The following are some of the features of checkout:

·            Business Validations
If there are any potential conflicts between different products, the system will provide a user-friendly message informing the customer of this and providing them with options for resolving the issues. For example, the system might warn someone that they are registering for two different events that happen during the same time.  

·            Guest Checkout
Web users that do not have usernames and passwords can now complete the shopping transaction without having to first log into your site. The system will pre-screen for duplicates in a user-friendly manner and web users can quickly proceed through checkout; meanwhile, behind the scenes, the system creates a new customer. This simplifies the workflow for customers who are simply trying to buy a product from your organization and move on.

·            Promotion Code Support
Web users have the ability to enter a promotional code or follow a link that contains a promo code (e.g., click here to save), which may give them a discount and helps your organization track marketing efforts.

·            Coupon Code Support
Your organization can issue coupon codes that web users can enter for a certain product or sub-set of products, which results in savings.

·            Shipping Preferences
Web users are able to select their preferred shipping method and speed for the order (e.g., 2nd day).  

·            Ship to Multiple Addresses
Advanced shipping options can display allowing the web user to select different addresses and/or shipping preferences for each shippable line item of the order.

·            Streamlined Choices
If no shippable items are in an order, the web user is not bothered with shipping options, which makes the checkout process faster.

·            PA-DSS Validated Credit Card Processing
The system supports credit card payments using an externally validated PA-DSS compliant process.

·            Card on File Functionality
The checkout process supports allowing the web user to pay with an existing card on file or save the current card for later use. The web user can also manage their cards on file in case they have outdated information. The system stores this information as a transaction token, so that no actual card data is stored in Personify. This process is also part of the overall PA-DSS validation in Personify.

·            e-Check Payments
Web users  have the option of paying for their order with an electronic check, if that service is offered.

·            Order Confirmation
After the web user completes the checkout process, the system display a "thank you" summary page that clearly describes all of the details for the transaction. This includes quick access to downloadable content and hotel booking, where appropriate. Web users can print this page as a receipt or email it to another party(s).

The Checkout functionality described is handled by multiple controls that work with each other:

·            Guest Email Lookup Control

·            Checkout Control

·            Order Summary Control

·            Pay Now Control

·            Checkout Thank You Control

Pay Now is an alternative to the full Checkout control that can be enabled for some or all products.  Pay Now takes users through a simplified, single step checkout process,whereas the Checkout control is a three-step process.

As a best practice, it is recommended that you create a Checkout landing page that web users who are not logged into your site are redirected to before beginning the checkout process. This page gives the web user the opportunity to log in to your site if he/she already has an account. If the web user does not have an account, the standard "register" option can be offered, and/or the page can be configured so he/she can proceed to the first step in the checkout process as a guest. See the Checkout Landing Page section for more information.