Guest Checkout Process in Odoo 18

E-commerce store owner managing checkout creates conversion disaster: first-time visitor interested in single product purchase forced to create account with password email confirmation and profile completion before buying causing 68 percent cart abandonment rate, returning customer forgot password triggering 5-minute reset process abandoning 200 dollar cart out of frustration, no guest checkout option reducing impulse purchases 45 percent as casual shoppers unwilling to commit to account creation, mandatory registration for 15 dollar product feeling excessive causing brand perception damage, and no flexibility between guest checkout and registered accounts preventing optimization for different customer segments—creating lost revenue 35K monthly and competitive disadvantage from inflexible checkout configuration without guest purchase options.

Odoo 18 Guest Checkout enables flexible purchase workflows through three configuration modes Optional allowing guest or registered checkout, Disabled enforcing pure guest checkout without login prompts, Mandatory requiring account creation for all purchases, optional sign-in prompt on confirmation page for guests, extra step during checkout for custom information collection, and strategic mode selection based on business model—reducing cart abandonment 40-60 percent through friction removal enabling one-time buyers to complete purchases instantly while maintaining registered customer option for loyalty programs achieving optimal balance between conversion optimization and customer relationship building through configurable checkout experience.

Guest Checkout Configuration Modes

Access configuration:

1. Go to Website → Configuration → Settings
2. Find Shop - Checkout section
3. Locate Sign in/up at Checkout setting
4. Choose from three modes

Mode 1: Optional Sign In/Up

Configuration Steps:

1. Settings → Website → Configuration
2. Shop - Checkout section
3. Sign in/up at Checkout: Select Optional
4. Click Save

Checkout Workflow:

Best For:

• General e-commerce stores
• Mix of one-time and repeat customers
• Encouraging registration without forcing
• Maximizing conversion while building database

Mode 2: Disabled Buy as Guest

Configuration Steps:

1. Settings → Website → Configuration
2. Shop - Checkout section
3. Sign in/up at Checkout: Select Disabled (buy as guest)
4. Click Save

Checkout Workflow:

Best For:

• High-volume low-cost items
• Impulse purchase products
• One-time event tickets
• Minimal checkout friction priority
• Anonymous purchase preference

Mode 3: Mandatory No Guest Checkout

Configuration Steps:

1. Settings → Website → Configuration
2. Shop - Checkout section
3. Sign in/up at Checkout: Select Mandatory (no guest checkout)
4. Click Save

Checkout Workflow:

Best For:

• Subscription-based services
• B2B e-commerce platforms
• Membership-only stores
• Loyalty program focused businesses
• Repeat purchase models

Extra Step During Checkout

Add custom information collection step:

Enable Extra Step:

1. Settings → Website → Configuration
2. Enable Extra Step During Checkout
3. Click Save
4. Click Configure to design form

Form Design:

• Use website builder snippets
• Add custom fields:
  • Text inputs
  • Dropdowns
  • Checkboxes
  • Date pickers
• Customize layout and styling

Workflow with Extra Step:

Use Cases:

• Delivery instructions collection
• Gift message entry
• Event attendee details
• Custom product specifications
• Marketing preference capture

Mode Selection Strategy

Best Practices

Start Optional Then Optimize Based on Data: Choosing mode without data equals guessing. Launch with Optional mode enabling both guest and registered. After 3 months analyze cart abandonment rate at sign-in prompt versus conversion rate guests versus members. If guest cart abandonment 15 percent but member repeat purchase 3X higher keep Optional. If guest abandonment 60 percent switch to Disabled. Data-driven decision improves conversion 25-40 percent.

Use Extra Step Sparingly Critical Info Only: Adding extra step for nice-to-have information equals unnecessary friction. Every additional form field reduces conversion 5-10 percent. Reserve extra step for truly essential information delivery instructions for fragile items event attendee names legally required data. Example: gift shop adding extra step for message increases abandonment 35 percent versus inline message field during address entry.

Test Mandatory Mode with Incentive First: Forcing account creation without value proposition equals customer frustration. Test mandatory mode offering 10 percent discount for first registered purchase or free shipping for members. Incentive converts hesitant buyers reducing abandonment from mandatory requirement 50 percent versus forcing registration with no benefit.

Conclusion

Odoo 18 Guest Checkout enables flexible purchase workflows through three configuration modes Optional Disabled and Mandatory with extra step customization. Reduce cart abandonment 40-60 percent through strategic mode selection matching business model enabling one-time buyers instant purchases while maintaining registered customer options for loyalty programs achieving optimal balance between conversion optimization and customer relationship building through configurable checkout experience based on analytical data.