Customers, customer register and customer login

Customer registers and customer login can be used both for private individuals who want to have an account on the webshop, or if you sell B2B (Business Customers) and want to have a separate selection of the range or your own price lists for these customers.

In Abicart Plus and Pro you can enable customer login. Why should I do this? Are there advantages and disadvantages? Why should I have a separate customer register when all customer details are on the order?

What are the benefits of customer login?

Logged-in customers can view their past orders and follow up orders via tracking numbers on "My Pages". It is also possible to link logged-in customers to different customer groups so that they have access to a different range of products, different price lists, etc.

What are the disadvantages of customer login?

It can be a bit cumbersome to create a new account and verify it via email. If the customer doesn't remember their login details, they have to click on "forgot password" and then create a new password via email. This can be perceived as tedious and difficult and CAN be a reason why the customer does not want to complete the purchase.

When should I use customer login in the shop?

If you sell to other companies (B2B), it can be good to have a login, and do not want to have the range open to everyone but want to be able to limit products and prices.

If you use a checkout solution that makes it very fast for the buyer to complete the purchase, you should not use forced customer login unless it is really needed.

Customer Settings

Go to Customers -> Customer Settings

Login Requirements

This is where you set whether your customers need to log in or not. There are two different options, "No login required for full access to the store" which is selected from the start. This means that customers can log in if they want to, but it is not a requirement, it is also possible to shop as a "guest" without logging in. 

The second choice, "Login required to view prices and place orders" causes the entire store to be locked and the home page to display a login form. The customer must then log in to view any content at all. 

Affiliation

This is where you set what logged-in customers can see under "My Pages" when they are logged in. 

Only logged-in customers

What should a regular visitor see when they visit the store. Should they have access to the full range or is it only logged in customers who should do so. Here are different options to restrict the range for non-logged-in customers.

New customers

Should new customers be able to register customer accounts themselves or do you as a store owner want to create customer accounts for your customers and email them out instead? By default, registration is closed and you can enable it here. 

Customer number

If you have chosen to have an open registration, so that customers can create customer accounts themselves, you can set it up so that a customer number is generated automatically. If you do not enable this feature, no customers will receive a customer number. You can enter customer numbers manually for customers afterwards if you wish.