Blog 4 minutes

Introducing Address Autocomplete: Enhance customer experience and save time

Savannah Hristov
April 17, 2024

What is address autocomplete and why is it essential?

Address autocomplete is a functionality designed to simplify and speed up entering addresses online. Instead of manually inputting each component of an address, such as street name, city, and postal code, users are offered real-time suggestions as they begin typing. By selecting their address from these suggestions, users can swiftly complete the form with accuracy and efficiency.

By streamlining the address input process, the address autocomplete feature:

  • Minimizes errors
  • Saves time
  • And creates a smooth online experience for users.

Benefits of address autocomplete directly from Sana Commerce Cloud

Our aim is clear: simplify and enhance the user experience with address autocomplete. The implementation of address autocomplete creates the following benefits:

  1. Reduced checkout times: Address auto-complete streamlines the checkout process by simplifying the address entry step. With real-time suggestions and automatic population of address fields, users can complete the checkout process more quickly.
  2. Decreased cart abandonment rates: One common reason for cart abandonment is hurdles in the checkout process. Address auto-complete helps avoid this issue by making the checkout process smoother and more user-friendly. With faster address entry, users are less likely to abandon their carts, resulting in higher conversion rates.
  3. Improved data accuracy: Manual address entry is prone to errors such as typos, misspellings, and incorrect formatting. Address auto-complete minimizes these errors by providing accurate address suggestions and automatically populating address fields. This improves the overall accuracy of address data entered by users, reducing the likelihood of shipping errors, delivery delays, and other issues associated with incorrect address information.
  4. Minimized order errors: Inaccurate address information can lead to a variety of order errors, including misdeliveries, returned shipments, and customer dissatisfaction. By ensuring that users enter accurate address information through auto-complete functionality, businesses can minimize the occurrence of order errors. This results in smoother order processing, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced costs associated with addressing order-related issues.

These improvements translate into increased buyer satisfaction and reduce manual work for your team.

Key Functionalities of address autocomplete

Address autocomplete booasts a range of functionalities designed to elevate user experience:

  • Real-time address suggestions

Provide users with suggestions for their address as they start typing. As users type in the address field, the system generates suggestions based on the entered text, offering relevant address options in real-time. This streamlines the address entry process and reduces the need for manual typing.

  • Automatic population of address fields

Once a user selects an address suggestion, the system automatically fills in the corresponding address fields.

  • International coverage

With address autocomplete, you can improve the user experience with address suggestions that align with the language settings of the web store and the local format.

  • COMING SOON: Address verification (with Loqate)

Address verification is a critical component of address autocomplete to make delivery of goods as seamless as possible. Loqate will offer robust address verification capabilities, ensuring that the addresses provided are accurate and valid. This verification process helps prevent errors and inconsistencies in address data, ultimately improving the quality and reliability of address information entered by users. (Disclaimer: This feature is still in development and is set to be released by Loqate in the future)

Implementing address autocomplete in Sana Commerce Cloud: a practical guide

For Sana Commerce customers, address autocomplete can be achieved through two primary providers: Loqate and Google Places, offering users the flexibility to choose based on their preferences and needs.

Loqate provides a comprehensive solution for address autocomplete, offering real-time suggestions. Their service ensures that users receive accurate address suggestions, including details like apartment numbers and floor levels. Additionally, Loqate’s global coverage adheres to regional regulations, such as GDPR, providing users with peace of mind regarding data privacy.

Google Places is a widely recognized solution known for its global appeal. It offers address suggestions and autocomplete capabilities as users begin typing.

The main difference is that one add-on relies on Google’s database and the other on Loqate’s.

Integrating address autocomplete:

  1. Set up an account with Google or Loqate. If you are using Loqate, make sure to sign up using this link.
  2. Load credits or connect a credit card to the account.
  3. Install the corresponding add-on in your platform.
  4. Configure the add-on by entering your API key.
  5. Enable address fields for autocomplete functionality.
  6. Save your settings

By following these steps, you can seamlessly implement address autocomplete and create efficiency and convenience for your users.

Elevate your platform with address autocomplete

Accelerate order processing, minimize errors, and improve customer experience with the integration of address autocomplete. This feature holds significant importance as it enhances user experience and reduces friction during online interactions, particularly in e-commerce settings where accurate address entry is crucial for order fulfillment.

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Learn more about how Sana Commerce Cloud can help your business today.