6 Fundamentals of an Ecommerce Website
E-commerce websites have been on the rise in recent years, so much so that they have replaced physical stores in retail businesses. E-commerce is integrating technology, retail experience, aesthetics, and lightweight online store design in an innovative way that is fully enjoyed by users.
With the advent of user-friendly websites, secure online payments, smartphones and tablets, the development of e-commerce websites is exploding. Be it a fashion retail store or a furniture store, online presence has become a ‘must have’ for all entrepreneurial companies because the audience of each one of them can be found and approached online.
Building an ecommerce website can be as simple – or complicated – as you want, however, making sure it gets off the ground requires you to work on certain fundamentals. This article summarizes the most important ones below:
1. Simple and functional navigation
A complicated site with conversions. Excess clicks, pop-ups, and incessant categorization make your eCommerce website annoying and have a high chance of losing customers.
Your ecommerce website design should be comfortable for all types of customers and somewhat familiar to what they are charged with using. And make sure at all costs that your website navigation is functional. Don’t kill the enthusiasm of an engaged customer with the sight of an ugly 404 error page.
2. Lightweight Website Design
A website that takes more than 5 seconds to load is hurting conversions. Desktop users are very likely to leave the page without even viewing the products if the web page takes more than 5 seconds to load. Mobile users are more patient, but only a little.
Consumers are an impatient people. Work with an efficient hosting company if you want to get the most out of your visitors and not miss out on any potential sales. Also, use lightweight web design in your ecommerce website development to use minimal, simpler and faster components that speed up your website load duration.
3. Robust ‘on-site’ search functionality
The most profitable customers are those who visit your website with some sense of what they want. Losing them to search for a malfunction is akin to turning down easy money. Therefore, it is crucial for ecommerce website developers to install high-quality metadata while building the website.
Your website must be able to reflect users’ search queries and understand what they are looking for. If your site’s search tools don’t effortlessly lead users to the desired products in the blink of an eye, your eCommerce website needs a complete overhaul.
4. Visibly clear location of key information
Key information that customers are looking for should be placed in good contrast to other background information. This key information includes Call-to-Action buttons like Buy Now, Add to Cart, and descriptions like Price, Features, Support Options, and Customer Feedback.
Such information triggers an action by users and its visibility increases the credibility of the website, so pay attention to such details on your website.
5. Minimal distractions
Give your customers a seamless web experience and don’t overwhelm them with unnecessary information. Upsell and cross-sell at the right times, and never before. If you are doing these two wrong, you are discouraging the customer from making the purchase.
Web developers need to realize that less is more, give their clients white space and a minimal, flat design instead of drowning them in information clutter.
6. Good copy and catchy images
These two are going to play the most direct role in convincing customers to make the purchase. Use clear, bright, high-quality images that are easy on the eyes. Optimize them for Google and compress them before uploading or else they can become a threat.
Good writing makes your text speak. Use an active voice that reaches customers and compels them to go to the end of their purchase process.
No two ecommerce websites are the same as each has a unique set of target audience and market requirements. But what is common to all is a fundamental base that needs a great investment of time, care and attention to details such as those mentioned above.