Effort: Low
What to notice
Show the same total and breakdown from initial comparison through confirmation.
Where it fits
- Fits
- Flows with fees or renewal costs
- Use it when
- Cost conditions can be explained during comparison.
- Avoid it when
- Variable charges cannot yet be calculated or bounded.
How to build it
- Separate base price, mandatory charges and optional extras.
- Display mandatory-cost totals from the start, with conditions for variable costs.
- Repeat selected conditions and the total at confirmation.
Measure
- Main metric
- Completion with correct total-price understanding
- Guardrail
- Cost-related questions and refunds
- How to measure
- Compare confirmation abandonment and cost comprehension for the same offer, then track refunds.
When it backfires
Do not present mandatory charges as optional; explain how uncertain costs become final.
Alternatives
Theory behind it
Shrouded attributes and add-on costs
When add-on costs are hidden from an initial price, the basis for comparing offers changes.
Theoretical model
Procedural fairness
People evaluate procedures, explanations and opportunities to challenge a decision as well as outcomes.
Well supported
Evidence limits: An application informed by a shrouding model; conversion effects remain unvalidated.