For post-pandemic era entrepreneurs, the question of whether to launch a business online is irrelevant because the answer is obvious. And that answer is “yes”. Without an online presence, it is hardly possible to expand the business to the desired scale, especially if you are in retail. However, for your eCommerce business to be successful, you need to work on improving your website and the solutions it offers.
Let’s take a look at the most important eCommerce design tips that you need to consider in order to successfully launch and promote an online store.
-
Responsive Design
More than half of Internet users leave a website if the page loading speed exceeds 3 seconds. Cluttered content, disproportionate images, lack of a security certificate, and other shortcomings contribute to a decrease in the conversion rate. If you take this into account and improve the design every iteration, the chances of attracting and retaining customers will increase significantly.
-
Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
These miniature extensions solve many issues for managing an online store at once. This includes quickly attracting a user to the right page, an instant purchase, switching to other solutions (to an app, landing page, etc.), as well as launching a sales funnel through a subscription.
-
Website optimization
The most accurate and fastest way to check the level of optimization of your eCommerce site is to test it. You can hire specialists or conduct an audit yourself. To do this, you can use various tools, such as Observatory by Mozilla and others. Just remember to turn on incognito mode so that your personal information doesn’t affect the results.
-
Mobile optimization
About 46% of customers complete their purchases on smartphones, so one of the best eCommerce UX-design practices is to make the page look better on different devices.
-
The hottest trends in eCommerce design
- Simple interface
David Keefe, a Managing Partner at Conran Design Group, believes that one of the leading eCommerce web design trends is simplicity and conciseness. This approach shortens the customer’s journey through the sales funnel and speeds up the conversion.
- Personalization
Personalization allows the user to feel comfortable while they are on your website. Everything from a dark theme to the cookie policy, from product order to scrolling features, decides how successful your design will be.
- Product cards
A short description, a choice of colors or other product options, images in the carousel, and a rating in the product list will help to maximize user satisfaction scores, as this type of design allows for quick browsing without having to go to each product individually when browsing.
- Call to Action (CTA)
Probably only a disinterested entrepreneur and eCommerce website owner would not include a “Buy” or “Free Download” button in their design. These details are crucial if you want to accelerate your buyers’ journey.
- Augmented Reality (AR)
Exploring a product in 3D will allow users to make an informed purchase decision and reduce the return rate. Each product can be presented individually or in combination with other products. For example, IKEA uses AR and VR to showcase its interior designs and particular products such as furniture or household items.
- Gamification
Gamification allows you to make the customer journey more fun and relaxing, which is important for making purchase decisions. An excellent example of the successful implementation of gamification in eCommerce design is the Maison Karl Lagerfeld contest.
By allowing users to “walk” around the house to explore all the home products on offer, they achieved conversions of several thousand buyers.
- Attention to loyal customers
Retaining and satisfying the needs of loyal customers is often more important than attracting new ones. Loyal buyers are easy to identify in the eCommerce system — all you need to do is scan phone numbers or emails. By offering special promotions or discounts that are unique to loyal customers, you increase their confidence and help increase the interest of new customers.
- Preview and promo videos
A short video tutorial on how to use your product or influencer mockups can help to grab the attention of visitors and make your advertising efforts go viral. Also, don’t forget to launch special promotions for the first buyers. Everyone will be happy to purchase products at an affordable price before others.
- Real reviews
Please note that this is not about buying reviews. You need real reviews from real people. For example, you can send products to an influencer or microblogger with your target audience for testing, or a business client if your product is of corporate interest.
-
Conclusion
By taking into account eCommerce trends and regularly monitoring the quality of your online store design, you will be able to expand your business and achieve customer loyalty. Just track industry news and make adjustments with the eCommerce design tips listed above when needed.
HedgeThink.com is the fund industry’s leading news, research and analysis source for individual and institutional accredited investors and professionals
