When you’re selling online, you want to make sure that your website design represents who you are and what you do. After all, it’s your chance to make an impression on your customers. And if you do it right, you can make a lasting one.
eCommerce website design should not be about making an online shopping portal artistically beautiful, it is much more important to help the customer find what they are looking for and make it as easy as possible to make a purchase. The quicker the customer can go from the landing page to placing an order, the more likely it is that you will receive payment.
That’s why, when running an online business, website design is one of the most important things to get right. There are plenty of other business tips and tricks readily available for you. But, in this article, we’ll go over the basics of eCommerce website design.
1. Go for User-Friendly
This comes from the old K.I.S.S. adage about keeping it simple. Simplicity should be a goal in good design and you don’t have to sacrifice elegance to achieve it. As a matter of fact, studies show that 76% of consumers say that the most important characteristic of a website is the ease of use.
The objective is to help shoppers get to what they want faster and without running into unnecessary complexity that can clog up the path to purchase. Online sellers have minutes, if not seconds, to make a sale. Focus on the web design aspect of user experience by providing shopping categories, filters, and comparison capabilities.
2. Make it Mobile-Friendly
Mobile shopping accounts for 50% of online transactions. With a responsive website, content intuitively adapts to whatever device is accessing it to provide the most user-friendly experience.
It doesn’t matter if you have millions of product pages or five. Creating a mobile-friendly experience for your shoppers will improve rankings and potentially your sales.
3. Opt High-Resolution Materials
Gone are the days of posting one photo with a few bullet points and a price tag. Shoppers want to see multiple angles and people using the product in different environments. They want to be able to zoom in and get a feel for the product.Technical considerations for images are crucial. Images that don’t load or take too long to load will see a consumer drop-off rate of 39%, according to Adobe. Images sell, not text. Ecommerce websites should display multiple photos per product. The photos need to be high-resolution and optimized for page load.
4. Include User-Generated Reviews
Shoppers read reviews. About 95% of them, in fact, and 57% of consumers will only use a business if it has 4 or more stars. You might think that having negative reviews is a sale killer. The opposite is true.
Having negative reviews can often be positive. It’s shown that products without negative reviews are seen as censored and, in turn, shoppers will assume the positive reviews are fake.
5. Have Some Social Proof
Brands and online sellers that connect with their buyers on an emotional level create brand trust and advocacy. Social connection is undeniable and the opportunity to bond with an audience is easier now than ever.
Linking social profiles and user-generated content with an eCommerce website are must-have features that will give online sellers brand character.
Shoppers are inundated with the constant flow of “buy now” and “get this”. It’s those brands that engage with customers socially that create customers for life. They are offering products that help others and that people care about. Social media allows eCommerce brands to show authenticity and associate an emotional connection with their products.
6. Go For High Security
Online transactions are an integral part of our lives and in light with this eCommerce websites can be a lucrative target for cybercriminals. Online sellers must protect customer information and take steps to ensure privacy and it all starts with a secure eCommerce platform.
Other must-have eCommerce website security features to consider are:
- SSL certificate: Establishes secure connectivity between a user and the website. Look for HTTPS and a green lock in the address bar before trusting an online store with your information. Select an SSL certificate vendor with name recognition. The enterprise eCommerce giants almost always use Symantec.
- Two-factor authentication: Adds an extra layer of security by requiring username/password and a system-generated code sent via email or text.
- Use a firewall: Provides a gateway or wall between two networks and permits authorized traffic and blocking malicious traffic.
- Privacy policy link in footer: Addresses the website’s privacy policies and promises customer data is not shared with third parties.
So, is web design for your ecommerce website helpful?
In this digital age, most businesses have already developed their respective websites to become more accessible for their customers. With the help of website design and development, business owners can create a user-friendly and welcoming online environment where users can get useful information at any time of the day.
Moreover, when you have a well-managed eCommerce website, people can rely on you. It builds trust, and when visitors trust you, they won’t have doubts about getting your products and services. In effect, you will have a thriving and profitable business.
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