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BOLT

Partial COD: A Smarter Checkout Feature We're Testing for Growth-Focused Brands

  • Writer: Simran Ahuja
    Simran Ahuja
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read



At Bolt, we spend a lot of time thinking about small changes that can unlock big value across the customer journey. And one recurring friction point we’ve seen in the Indian D2C landscape?Cash on Delivery (COD).


While COD remains a non-negotiable payment option for many Indian consumers, it creates challenges for brands:

  • Higher cancellation and return rates

  • Operational inefficiencies

  • Manual order verification processes

  • Unpredictable fulfillment outcomes


So, how do you retain the trust and flexibility that COD offers without the downsides?


A new approach we’re now testing with clients is Partial COD—a simple, smart tweak to the checkout experience that aligns customer intent with brand reliability.


What is Partial COD?

Instead of paying the full amount on delivery, customers pay a small token upfront—often Rs. 50, Rs. 100, or a percentage of the order value—during checkout.

This upfront commitment serves as a filter, reducing casual or fake orders while still giving customers the payment flexibility they value.


Why we're excited about this feature

We see Partial COD as a classic example of low-friction, high-impact UX. Here's what makes it powerful:


✅ For the customer:

  • Feels low-risk, familiar, and flexible

  • Offers reassurance without requiring full prepayment

  • Builds confidence in trying a new brand or product


✅ For the brand:

  • Signals genuine purchase intent

  • Reduces COD-related cancellations and operational waste

  • Improves the predictability of order fulfillment

  • Can be layered with loyalty or rewards logic for deeper engagement


Real-world example: D’you and Shopflo


One of the brands we admire, D’you, recently introduced Partial COD into their checkout using Shopflo, a modern checkout experience platform for D2C brands.

The result?A seamless, trust-building moment in the buying journey. The payment prompt is clear, intuitive, and adds no unnecessary friction—precisely what a modern customer experience should feel like.

Shopflo’s flexible backend makes it easy for brands like D’you to test and implement this feature—alongside other micro-personalizations like pre-applied coupon logic, cart nudges, and payment-based offers.


What we’re doing at Bolt

We’re now integrating Partial COD as a journey-layer feature in several client roadmaps—particularly for:

  • New customer acquisition journeys

  • High-COD, high-return product categories (e.g., skincare, wellness, apparel)

  • Quick commerce and daily-need reorders

  • Subscription onboarding flows

For us, Partial COD is not just a payment tweak—it’s part of a broader strategy to reduce friction, increase trust, and drive more reliable conversion outcomes.


The bigger picture

Checkout is often treated as the end of the journey—but for high-growth brands, it's a moment of truth.

Features like Partial COD reflect a growing shift:From what customers can do on your site, to how they feel while doing it.

And that’s where real experience-led growth happens.


Interested in exploring Partial COD or other checkout improvements for your brand?We’d love to show you how we turn friction into flow—across every step of the customer journey.

 
 
 

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