Configuring Anonymous Authentication

Introduction

Optimising your checkout process is crucial for reducing cart abandonment and improving conversion rates. One effective strategy is implementing a guest checkout option through anonymous authentication. This guide will walk you through the process of configuring anonymous authentication in your Limio checkout flow.

Why Anonymous Authentication Matters

Research by the Baymard Institute has identified key reasons for checkout abandonment, excluding customers who were "just browsing". One of the top reasons cited was the requirement to create an account.

Source: https://baymard.com/lists/cart-abandonment-rate

At Limio, we understand the importance of flexibility in checkout solutions. By implementing anonymous authentication, you can offer a guest checkout option while still creating a Limio identity for the user. This approach balances user convenience with your need for customer data.

Benefits of Guest Checkouts with Anonymous Authentication

1. Reduced cart abandonment rates

2. Improved user experience

3. Flexibility for future account creation

4. Ability to track guest user behaviour

Configuring Anonymous Authentication

Follow these steps to set up anonymous authentication for your checkout flow:

1. Navigate to Developer Settings in your Limio dashboard.

2. Select the "Authentication Providers" option.

3. Choose "Anonymous Auth" from the available options.

4. Enter a name for your authentication provider. This should be unique to any other authentication provider names you have already configured.

5. Save your changes.

Implementing Anonymous Authentication

After configuring the authentication provider:

1. Go to the pages where you want to implement the guest checkout flow.

2. Enable the "Require Authentication?" toggle for each relevant page, and select the anonymous authentication option you configured earlier.

3. Save the Settings.

4. Save the page.

5. Rebuild and republish the affected pages to apply the changes.

Advanced Implementation: Connecting Anonymous Identities

For a more robust solution, you can use Limio's Add External Identity API to connect anonymous identities to existing external identities, such as organisational accounts. This workflow allows you to:

1. Capture guest user data during checkout

2. Link the anonymous identity to an existing account later if the user decides to create one

3. Maintain a cohesive user journey across guest and registered experiences

Next step: let customers claim their guest-purchased subscriptions

Once guest checkout is enabled, you may want to give those buyers a way to sign in later and link the subscription to their account so they can manage it themselves. See Guide: Claim subscription ownership after guest checkout for the full pattern.

Conclusion

By implementing anonymous authentication in your checkout flow, you're providing customers with the flexibility they desire while still capturing valuable user data. This approach can significantly reduce cart abandonment rates and improve overall conversion.

Remember to regularly review your checkout process and gather user feedback to continually optimise the experience.

For more information or assistance, please contact Limio support.