You shouldn’t lose heart to webshops like Amazon, eBay, and iHerb. It’s still a good business idea to create an eCommerce website.
However, creating a g online store that stands out from the rest requires more than good design and SEO.
It’s a good idea to come up with a memorable name for your website address. Creating a marketing strategy in the early stages can help you get a head start. We’ve compiled a list of key elements that make a great eCommerce website, along with some tips and tricks to help you plan a successful online store.
Essential Features for eCommerce Websites
- Friendly interface
Clickable images can be used to help users avoid having to search for text or use the autocomplete function in a search bar. A user-friendly design should allow people to find what they are looking for in a minimum of steps.
- High-resolution visual content
Shoppers can view product shots from various angles and watch video reviews to help them make a decision. If you do not think about the technical aspects, your visitor numbers could drop with page load speeds.
- Users reviews
A feature that allows customers to share their experiences with a product helps other users make purchasing decisions. It also adds credibility and credibility to your site.
- Mobile-friendly
Another statistic shows that 79% of smartphone users have bought something from their phone in the last six months. This is why adapting your website design for mobile users is essential.
Top Things to Consider When Developing an eCommerce Website
- Site security and safety
While no Internet user would like to be infected while surfing the internet, it is not only their computer’s safety that is at risk. You store a lot of information about your products and users who register to purchase on your eCommerce site. Safety is a key requirement for any eCommerce website. Your business could be at risk if this data is lost or stolen.
Unsecured websites can cause you to be rebuked by Google and other search engines. Google began flagging websites that did not have an SSL certificate or HTTPS protocol not long ago. These are not just recommendations or warnings; users won’t have the ability to visit websites without these components. You might also lose potential orders if your certificate expires.
- Optimizing before and after eCommerce web development
Google now flags websites that have slow loading speeds as a perk. In the past, people would click on a link and wait for it to load. If it didn’t, they would go back. Now, users might be tempted to forgo visiting a website that has a slow loading speed.
SEO’s purpose is to increase your sales by making your website rank higher in search engines using different strategies and techniques. SEO includes adding keywords to your website’s content, and meta information to pages (titles and descriptions as well as images). Specialists often forget that customers can search for you using an image search. However, this is only true if you include ‘alt’ descriptions of your visual content.
- Search and filter functionality for websites
Even if you don’t sell any products, people still use the search bar. If your website does, make sure it offers advanced search functionality. A visual search is an example of an advanced feature. Users can upload photos of items they like, and the search engine will attempt to locate products that are similar.
- Register and other related issues
Although there are some benefits to registering on an eCommerce site, such as saving your shopping history and delivery address, others prefer a guest checkout form or a one-click buy feature.
You don’t have to use a registration form. Users can also sign up with social media, or fill out a simple form with their name and email. You can create an account automatically and send the login details to both.
- Options for payment
If you’re just starting an eCommerce website, adding all payment options may seem overwhelming. However, only one option will limit your ability to sell to customers who choose this option.
- Shipping charges
They may not be aware of the shipping costs or expect a lower amount, or they are subject to additional charges. Online shopping is convenient. If you do not have free shipping, detailed information should be provided on the menu.
- Integration of CMS
Content management systems (CMSs) are used to store and manage all visual and written content, as well as marketing documents in one location. Once published, you can make changes or add information. A CMS allows your employees to quickly respond to customer tickets.
- Mobile functionality
Although mobile apps are more popular than desktops, you will still get a higher conversion rate if your eCommerce interface is compatible with mobile devices.
It’s sensible to invest in responsive design features such as adaptable typography, image size, and mobile-specific functions like hidden menus, given the increasing number of people who use mobile devices every year. Mobile sites should be optimize right down to product descriptions.
- Your products should match with your website design
The color scheme of your website should be consistent with the products that you sell. If you are designing an eCommerce site for fandom-related merchandise, the font and background should be clear to show the range of products that can be find here.
A green, yellow, and purple color palette will work well for eCommerce that deals with food. These colors stimulate appetites. White space should be used to ensure that site design and food items do not clash.
- Good shopping cart design
You can have registered, unregistered and guest users, for example. When a user clicks the shopping cart, it will ask them to register or log in. After logging in or registering, users should be automatically directs to their full baskets. Having to search for the same items over and over again can be frustrating. You can also do a one-step checkout, which will allow you to complete all the steps in one window, and it will update automatically as soon as a user enters data.
- Proper product description and showcase
Users value simplicity but also quality content. High-resolution images, detailed product information, and video reviews can affect your conversion rate.
Online shopping has the downside that customers cannot see the product in person or try it on. This makes it difficult for them to make an informed decision. Customers will be more likely to purchase your product if you include individual measurements for clothes and information about the use of instruments.
- Contacts and customer support
Customer support is a key component of eCommerce businesses’ efforts to provide customers with assistance in resolving issues such as shipping, payments, returns, and so on. It is a good idea to include a contact section on your website. Also, a page at the top with information that can be click will have an email or phone number.
Your credibility may enhance by having your physical address and contact number mentioned on the website (stores, main offices, or warehouses). You might consider adding a WhatsApp number or Facebook Messenger chat bit to the mix for younger people who don’t like talking on the phone.
- Social proof
It is always a good idea to get customer feedback to increase credibility on your website. You could have written reviews, product unboxings, or customers could upload their videos and product images to your site. You can also have a comment section on the main page that links to products that can review.
- Marketing strategy
A good marketing strategy can help you get your first orders, regardless of whether you’re launching a website that is based on a physical shop or if you’re new to the retail industry. It also determines the site’s structure and the elements that make it a great one.
It’s a good idea to start planning your marketing strategy before you need it. This will help you determine the features you will require. You might add social sharing and push notifications to your desktop browsers as well as mobile devices.
- Articles of support
You should also consider the documentation regarding the use of your website, and the policies that govern it. Your e-shop should have sections with FAQs, shipping information, return policies, cookie use, privacy information, and other policies as soon as possible.
Last Thoughts
To say that there are many things to consider when an eCommerce website development would be an understatement. We have the experience to show all the technical nuances and features that are require to create a functional, user-friendly, high-performance online shop that will be a hit with customers. Even if you are using Shopify, eCommerce plugins, or WordPress, it’s no easy task. It is crucial that you hire an eCommerce web development company to create the best website store possible for you.
