FastSpring Checkout Options
FastSpring provides flexible options for checkout, including a FastSpring-hosted cart, and a checkout solution that you can fully integrate into your pre-existing website. Consumer’s checkout method depends on the type of Storefront that you use. Because each checkout option uses the same Store data, you have the flexibility to use any available methods in parallel.
Web Storefronts
When using a Web Storefront, consumers are redirected to the FastSpring Store to see their order details and complete the checkout process. You can utilize the Web Storefront as a product catalog and checkout process, or you can link directly to product pages from an existing catalog on your site.
For example, you can continue displaying your products on your current website, and use the FastSpring Web Storefront for the checkout process. Alternatively, if you do not have an existing product website, FastSpring allows you to display your products and pricing with our platform.
All Stores have a Web Storefront designated as the default Storefront. This Storefront is used when consumers visit the Account Management site. You may make changes to the default Storefront, and change which Storefront is your default. However, default Storefronts cannot be deleted.
Popup Storefronts
The Popup Storefront integrates into your existing site, providing consumers with a same-page checkout experience via a popup window that displays directly in front of your webpage. If you use a Popup Storefront, your website provides the product catalog and shopping cart. When the consumer is ready to make a purchase or request a quote or invoice, the FastSpring popup is displayed.
Consumers enter their information, and FastSpring handles the payment processing and fulfillments. If your Store supports B2B, they can also request an Invoice or Quote from you.
We recommend integrating your Popup Storefront with our Store Builder Library so your pages can reflect the current order details before launching the checkout process.
Feature Comparison
The table below provides a comparison between the capabilities of Web Storefronts and Popup Storefronts. This may help you in determining which solution best fits your needs.
With the Store Builder Library, you can implement complete cart functionality on your own website. However, this requires web development resources for implementation. To see a live example of a cart created using the Store Builder Library, go to: https://fastspringexamples.com/full-cart/full-cart/ .
| Category | Web Storefronts | Popup Storefronts |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Hosted by FastSpring; you provide links from your website, direct email, or social media to the Web Storefront | Lives on your own website and opens in a secure modal iframe; customers never leave your site |
| Feature Set | Complete; all FastSpring Contextual functionality is supported | Checkout and mini-cart only |
| Does the implementation require technical expertise? | No; anyone who can use a web browser can configure a Web Storefront | Yes; but minimal expertise is needed when using a Popup Storefront for checkout only |
| Can I implement automatic redirects from the completion page? | No | Yes, if you use SBL |
| Are the cart contents preserved throughout the browser session? | No; cart contents are not preserved when navigating to a different page or site | Yes, if you use the data-continuous directive of SBL |
| Can consumers remove items from the cart? | Yes, depending on your implementation | Yes; if you enable the Popup Storefront cart |
| Is consumer data encrypted and transmitted securely? | Yes | Yes |
| Can license keys and download links be rendered on the Completion Page? | Yes | Yes |