# Checkout Progress Bar A/B Test Example

Page: https://alidemirbas.com.tr/en/lab/ab-test-library/tests/checkout-progress-bar-ab-test-example

## Hypothesis

If shoppers can see the current and remaining checkout steps, they know how much is left and may be less likely to give up at the address or payment step. That could lift the checkout completion rate for visitors who start checkout and see the bar.

## When to run this test

Drop-off concentrated at the address or payment step, sessions that move back and forth between steps, or survey answers calling the flow unclear point to shoppers who are unsure where they are in checkout. If the bar removes that doubt, shoppers who see the remaining steps leave the address and payment steps less often. If people leave over hard form fields, payment errors or late costs, fix those before adding a progress indicator. Confirm before launch that the bar reflects the actual flow, adds no steps, hides none of the remaining ones and uses step names shoppers understand.

## Primary metric

**Checkout completion rate**: Compare orders among visitors who start checkout and see the progress bar.

## Other metrics

- **Step abandonment rate**: Track exits from the address and payment steps separately.
- **Checkout completion time**: Measure time from checkout start to order confirmation consistently in both arms.
- **Backtracking rate**: Track returns to earlier steps; this alone does not prove indecision or confusion.
- **Page load time**: Check whether the progress bar affects page load time.

## What to check before and during the test

- **Progress information**: Add a bar showing completed and remaining steps.
- **Keep constant**: Keep checkout steps, their order, fields and CTAs unchanged.
- **Step abandonment**: Track exits from the address and payment steps separately.
- **Mobile**: Keep the information readable without covering the main action.
- **Separate tests**: Test checkmarks, explanatory copy or indicator placement separately.

## What to watch when reading the result

- Checkout completion rate is the deciding metric, but read abandonment at the address and payment steps separately. Drop-off that merely shifts from one step to another while the total stays flat is not enough to ship the bar. A higher backtracking rate alone does not prove confusion either; shoppers may simply be checking their details.
- The bar's effect depends on the number and order of steps during the test; if the flow changes, measure it again. Plan a separate test for checkmarks, explanatory copy or indicator placement.
- A small gap, or one with no clear direction, is no reason to conclude right away that the bar has no effect. First confirm that visitors who start checkout split between the arms as planned (sample ratio mismatch); if the split is off, fix assignment before you interpret the difference. Once assignment is sound, enter each arm's visitors and completions in the [A/B test significance calculator](https://alidemirbas.com.tr/en/calculators/ab-test) to see whether chance could explain the gap.
- Check whether the bar adds to page load time and keep it simple; a heavily animated or slow-loading bar can cancel out any benefit. On mobile, also confirm that it does not take up too much screen space or cover the main action.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What should be monitored besides total checkout completion?

Use checkout completion as the primary outcome. Examine address-step and payment-step abandonment to detect displaced drop-off. Measure completion time using the same start and end events in both arms.

### Do more backward steps indicate confusion?

Not on their own. A visitor may return to verify information after seeing the remaining steps. Examine returns by step and use additional usability evidence before attributing them to confusion.

### What should be checked in the mobile progress indicator?

Keep it readable without covering the main action or consuming excessive space. It must represent the real flow without adding steps or hiding remaining work. Check animation and loading costs.