Follow These E-Commerce Website Design Tips for a User-Friendly Shopping Experience
By Cache Merrill
When it comes to owning and operating an e-commerce store, having a website that’s easily accessible and navigable is essential for generating the desired leads and sales for your business. With that in mind, optimizing your current site is the first step to achieving these results.
Looking to boost your e-commerce website performance? If so, read on to learn some key tips and tricks for accomplishing just that.
What Is E-Commerce Website Design?
E-commerce website design is the process of constructing and updating a website to accommodate online browsing and selling capabilities. As opposed to websites that aren’t designed for online shopping, such as news sites, e-commerce sites incorporate distinct features that include the following:
- Product reviews or other user-generated content (UGC)
- Order and shipping management components
- 24/7 customer service portals
- Product availability filters
Why Businesses Should Utilize User-Friendly Website Design
A user-friendly website is incredibly important for turning customer impressions into sales for your business. Plus, an engaging and compatible website can directly reflect your brand’s reputation, so having a professional site that’s operational and easy for the consumer to follow can provide them with a positive browsing and shopping experience overall. Customers will be more likely to return to your e-commerce store or recommend it to a friend or family member in the future.
Here are five tactics that will improve your user experience and sales:
1. Provide Diverse Payment Options
A comprehensive website should include numerous payment options in order to maintain a higher conversion rate. That’s because a versatile selection gives customers the freedom to make their purchases in a way that best suits them, ultimately resulting in a more seamless shopping experience.
With that in mind, some of the most common payment methods to consider for your e-commerce store include:
- Credit or debit cards
- Digital wallets
- Electronic funds transfers (EFTs)
- Mobile payments
- Buy now, pay later options
- Prepaid cards
2. Post Clear Images of Your Products
When purchasing products from a website, including clear and accurate photos will help customers gain a better understanding of what exactly to expect when the product arrives on their doorstep. When taking photographs for your online store, use a high-quality camera and proper lighting to get the best image for each product you’re selling.
In addition, include a size reference for your items, capturing several angles of each product, and edit your photos as needed.
3. Improve Site Speed
Quick loading time is essential to an e-commerce site, as site speed has a direct impact on the number of impressions your website receives. Ways to increase your site speed include:
- Adjust the image size and format (.gif, .jpg, or .png is recommended)
- Determine your caching options and clear your cache frequently
- Consider switching to a hosting site known for speed, such as SiteGround
- Check your redirects and make sure each one is sent to an existing page
- Remove unused code from the backend of your website
4. Optimize Product Pages for Mobile View
Mobile searches contribute to more than 60% of all U.S. website traffic, making it essential that your e-commerce website is optimized to be accessed from a mobile device. With that in mind, some tips for enhancing your website for mobile view include:
- Ensure that images can be resized and viewed on mobile
- Avoid the use of flash and pop-up advertisements
- Use large, visible text that’s easy to read on a mobile phone
- Incorporate a “thumb-friendly” design
- Consider applying geolocation to check nearby store availability
5. Create Accessible, Efficient Navigation
Have you ever been on a website and been unable to find the product you’re looking for? If so, you’re not alone. That’s why, especially with e-commerce websites, it’s crucial for businesses to showcase a clear menu at the top of the site so customers visiting a store can swiftly find their desired product.
Along with clear navigation, your e-commerce website should also include the following pages:
- Homepage
- Category pages
- Individual product pages
- Shopping cart
- Checkout
- Order confirmation
- About us
- Contact page
- Shipping and return information
- Terms and conditions
Benefits of an Optimized E-Commerce Website
Overall, maintaining an easily accessible and user-friendly website is crucial to increasing leads and sales for your online store. By implementing these strategies, you will start to see the results reflected in the number of clicks and impressions your store is receiving, as well as the number of people purchasing your products.
E-Commerce Website Design FAQs
Can I build an e-commerce website on my own?
Yes, you can build an e-commerce website on your own using various website builders designed to simplify the process. These tools often provide templates and drag-and-drop functionalities that make it accessible even for those with minimal technical skills.
How many pages should an e-commerce website have?
An e-commerce website should have at least five core pages: Home, About Us, Products, Blog, and Contact Us. The number of product pages will vary based on your inventory. Additional pages for FAQs, policies, and testimonials can enhance user experience.
Which website builder is best for e-commerce?
Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the most popular e-commerce website builders. Shopify is ideal for those looking for an all-in-one solution, while WooCommerce is perfect for those who prefer a customizable platform that integrates with WordPress. If you’re looking for an effective content management system to host your e-commerce website, you should consider any of the following:
How do I improve my e-commerce website navigation?
For the most effective product search experience on your site:
- Include a search bar
- Add footer navigation
- Incorporate calls to action (CTAs)
- Use breadcrumbs
- Make navigation elements clickable
Alongside these aspects, ensure that your products and services are sorted by their main categories, as well as the subcategories they belong in, so customers will know exactly where to find what they’re searching for.
What are the best e-commerce website analytics tools?
Implementing goal-tracking metrics is a great way to ensure that you are meeting preexisting goals that you’ve set for your company. Some of the most common analytics tools include:
About the Author
Post by: Cache Merrill
Cache Merrill is the founder of Zibtek, a software development consultancy specializing in website security and advisory solutions.
Company: Zibtek
Website: www.zibtek.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
