# 2024-03-15: CE - Guest Checkout

### Overview

We introduce a significant enhancement designed to streamline the purchasing process for first-time or occasional buyers. Recognizing the importance of a seamless shopping experience, we've implemented guest checkout options that simplify transactions, making it easier than ever for customers to make purchases without the need for an account. This update is part of our ongoing commitment to improve conversion rates and customer satisfaction, offering an attractive and welcoming environment for all users. Sellers can now provide an effortless way for buyers to shop, fostering a more inclusive and efficient purchasing journey.

For more details, check out the What’s New table.

### New features

| Feature                                                       | Benefit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Guest checkout**                                            | This increases customer satisfaction, reduces cart abandonment, and leads to a smoother shopping experience overall. As a result, it can increase sales conversions for occasional or first-time buyers in the B2B or B2C space.                                                                   |
| **Assigning anonymously submitted orders to created account** | Even if a customer chooses to remain anonymous, their orders are automatically assigned to them once they create an account. These orders can then be viewed under **My Account** -> **Order Overview**.                                                                                           |
| **Guest customer validation**                                 | <p>By implementing account existence notifications, we enhance customer service by preventing duplicate order creation.<br>This streamlined approach benefits sellers by maximizing customer engagement and reducing redundant guest orders, ultimately fostering loyalty and repeat business.</p> |
| **Returns**                                                   | <p>Your employees can use the return function for guest orders without requiring the customer to have an active account.<br>This guarantees a fully end-to-end order process for anonymous customers on the ecommerce platform.</p>                                                                |

### Fixes and Improvements

None as this is a new feature.

### Known Problems

No known problems at time of release.

### Documentation and links

* Business Scenarios - [Orders](/ce/customer-use-cases/scenarios-introduction/orders-process.md) and [Returns](/ce/customer-use-cases/scenarios-introduction/returns-process.md)
* API Reference - [Checkout Service API](/api-references/api-guides/checkout/checkout.md)
* API tutorial - [Checkout Tutorial](/api-references/api-guides/checkout/checkout/checkout.md)


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