Trying to get your e-commerce website off the ground?
Still waiting for the sales to start coming in?
If you’re getting into the world of e-commerce, it can be difficult to know if your website has everything it needs to succeed. However, there are a few things that all of the best ecommerce websites have in common and knowing these can help you get results for your business faster.
Eager to find out these things? Keep reading!
1. A Simple Checkout Process
One of the main things the best ecommerce websites have in common is that they each offer users a seamless experience when it comes to the checkout process.
A well-optimized e-commerce site will offer customers easy access to the shopping cart page as well as an easy way to access their accounts. Your shopping cart needs to have a simple design that doesn’t distract a visitor too much but instead helps lead them through the checkout process.
Additionally, it is important that you display payment icons and certifications across your website and on your shopping cart page. Make sure to display logos of any payment methods you accept such as the Visa, Mastercard or the PayPal logos.
These icons will easily show a customer what types of payments are accepted and let them know upfront that they won’t run into any issues as they continue through the checkout process.
2. They Help Visitors Decide
In addition to the simple checkout process and shopping cart, a great e-commerce website will also find other ways to lead a visitor through the buying process.
They may have a page where they list all of the most popular products or have product recommendations, for example. They will also offer relevant CTAs (calls to action) where appropriate.
While some e-commerce websites will simply have a small “Buy” button on a product page, great e-commerce websites make use of persuasive copy and compelling CTAs to close a sale.
However, be sure that you don’t overload a visitor with too many CTAs either. It’s best to stick to one at a time. Remember that you want to help a customer make a decision rather than paralyze them into inaction by offering too many great choices at once.
3. An Easy-to-Use Design
An excellent e-commerce website also needs to have a simple, attractive, and user-friendly design.
Navigation should be simple and easy. Allow visitors to get from one category or product to another part of your site with ease. There should also be an easy way to sign in to an account and you should give customers easy access to their shopping carts.
Part of creating a user-friendly site also includes the appearance of the site. Make sure your design is attractive to the eye and that your site is branded well.
You should have a clear and prominently located logo on your site. A well-designed logo will say a lot about your brand and the professionalism of your e-commerce business.
4. A Fast and Mobile-Optimized Design
Aside from ease of use, your website should also be well designed from a technical standpoint. Your site needs to load fast and should also be very mobile friendly.
A site that loads quickly will have a better conversion rate and users will remain on your site longer. A slow loading site can frustrate visitors and even lead to you losing a sale. If your site doesn’t work well, a customer may decide to move on to a competitor’s site instead.
There are more users on mobile phones and other devices these days than ever before. Many customers may never even view the desktop version of your site.
Because of this, you need to make sure that your design is mobile friendly. It’s important to use a “responsive” design that will look great on a mobile phone or whatever device a customer uses.
5. Free Shipping and Special Deals
The best ecommerce websites don’t overlook the importance of a good deal or special perk, and they’ll offer them to customers regularly. They’ll also make it easier for a customer to purchase from them, by offering free shipping.
Free shipping can simplify the buying process for visitors and make them feel like they’re getting a steal. While you may need to adjust product prices to make up for the shipping charge, it can be well worth it.
Great e-commerce sites will always have some kind of promotion whether it is a 2-for-1 promotion or a 10% discount sitewide for a holiday.
There is no limit to the types of deals, discounts, and special offers you can attract customers with. Always give your customers a reason to check back and see what’s new and what deals are offered.
6. Multiple Ways to Connect to the Business
These days it’s not enough to simply set up an online shop and wait for the orders to come in. You need to do a little more work to create a loyal customer base for your business.
The best e-commerce shops know the value of a personal connection with customers and will offer many ways for customers to be a part of their brands.
Social media can help you connect with customers and keep them interested in your business. However, make sure that you’re not just promoting your products relentlessly, but find ways to connect with your customers. Ask questions, give a special deal, or post interesting videos and blog content.
Additionally, customer service is also vital. The best ecommerce websites give visitors and customers multiple ways to reach out with a question or concern.
You may consider offering support through online chat, phone, or email. Blog content and customer FAQs can also go a long way in helping your customers with problems as well.
7. Increased Security
Another feature that a successful e-commerce website will offer customers is a sense of security. The internet is full of scammers and ne’er-do-wells who are simply trying to make a buck.
If your e-commerce site is new or not well known, it is very important that you gain the trust of visitors as soon as possible. Make sure your shop has increased security and encryption through SSL, for starters, and also make sure your site is safe from malware, identity theft, and other cyber threats.
Take the proper measures to improve your e-commerce security, since people may be suspicious of your site from the beginning. Also, make sure it is evident to a visitor that your site is secure by displaying the trust badges and certifications on your page.
Trust badges such as those by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), McAfee Security, VeriSign, and Paypal can all help to increase a potential customer’s trust in your business. It can also have a very positive effect on your conversion rates.
Learning from the Best Ecommerce Websites
The best ecommerce websites do each of the things above to ensure that their site is as effective as possible. If you’re trying to make your shop successful, you should do the same.
While it can take some time and effort to make sure your site is optimized, it can well worth it and can give you the leg up you need to make your business successful in the long run.
Need help creating and perfecting the design of your e-commerce website? Contact us today to learn more about OSO Web Studio and what we can do for your business.
