The e-commerce industry has grown exponentially over the last few years,and it will continue to do so in the coming days. If you own an online store, the chances of your success are high. However, you must know some tricks of the trade to reach your goals fast. Several factors can determine the fate of your e-commerce business, and the design and functionality of your site are the most critical ones.
E-commerce web design is no more just about creating a good looking site. The layout and creative elements should also allow excellent functionalities that add to the UX. Furthermore, the faster a customer can travel from the landing page to the check-out page, the quicker the site would make a sale. Effective e-commerce web design tactics are all about driving a customer through this journey fast.
When planning ecommerce web development, you should know that every minute detail is crucial. Right from a smartly placed CTA(Call to Action) to product images, every element can impact the buyers’ decision.
Allow users to process their choices
A well designed website is a need of every user. Most online shoppers arrive at e-commerce sites with specific requirements in mind, That is why they may not like going through the entire product listing. They would instead like to use filters to find what they are looking for. It is especially true when it comes to sizes, brands and price range. You should also offer as many choices as possible. For example, if you sell clothes, make sure that all the standard sizes are available.
Only use high-quality images
Always upload clear and high-definition product images to draw in customers. It will also result in increased social sharing and sales. Since online shopping does allow customers to touch or try the products before purchase, the photos are all they have for deciding whether or not the product meets their requirement. You should also focus on displaying the images correctly. A slider system with zoom in and zoom out option would be great.
Ensure that your website is easy to navigate
The most crucial part of a website is the menu option. It enables users to browse from one web page to the other. It calls for intuitive structure navigation. So, refrain from adding excess links in your main menu. Instead, opt for a mega menu or a drop down option where you can add more links that lead to various products/services. Having a fly-out menu on the hover is also a smart call.
Your shopping cart should be visible
Tech-savvy online shoppers would not prefer to be directed to the check out page every time they add a product. Hence, it is crucial to make the shopping cart available on every page. To do this, designers usually resort to the sidebar. Furthermore, the shopping cart should also have data other than the products added on. Web designers can use product thumbnails to add more to it.
Generate catchy links
The primary objective of an e-commerce site is to draw in visitors and turn them into buyers. For this, you need attractive and clean linking tactics to motivate lead conversion. Here, you can add text and buttons with clickable images all across the site. Make it easy for the visitors to go from one product page to another and again to the shopping cart. Use smart and advanced linking tactics to generate anchor links.
Create a clean and well-structured website layout
Just because you do not have a physical store, it does not mean you can forget about structure or organization. Just as a customer would not like to go to a store that is dirty or visually distasteful, online shoppers would not buy from a site that lacks aesthetic appeal. When you offer a clean and well-structured display and design, online users form a positive association with it. Your brand will also gain a high recall value from it. Chaotic web design may overwhelm users and discourage them from browsing it.
Wondering what you can do instead? Minimal and flat design trends are popular right now. You can also be creative with the use of grids and space. Focus on basic typography to showcase your brand and the products. You can use the storefront customization tools for various design purposes.
Do not forget to add customer feedback
Research suggests that 61% of online users go through customer testimonials and reviews before purchasing a product. Customer feedback can assist you in generating sales and maximize your conversion rates. People are likely to see what other people have bought and know about their experience. Reviews and feedback also help in building the faith on a brand.
Make sure to add your newsletter to the sign-up option
Creating a robust email list will take time. However, the sooner you start promoting special offers through emails, the better it will be for your sales figure. It is especially crucial for spreading the word during holiday sales. Hence, designing a newsletter sign-up form can help here. Since most e-commerce sites are opting for this, make sure that your sign-up form looks distinctive.
Reduce all check-out distractions
The moment a customer wants to check out, he/she wants to make the payment and end the buying process. So, while designing, eliminate aspects like adverts and sidebar navigation to streamline the check-out and payment process. When a customer has already reached the check-out page, do not confuse him/her with other product options. He/she might change his/her mind, and this may delay your sales. Opt for single-page check-outs as it has the biggest conversion rates.
Online shopping has allowed users to buy everything from the comfort of their home. This convenience and other associated perks keep customers coming to e-commerce sites for more. If you want your site to attract the same level of love and devotion from the users, follow these basic e-commerce web design guidelines!
