Having an e-commerce store is essential for any modern-day business looking to thrive online and promote goods and services to an extensive selection of customers. However, having an ecommerce business is more than just listing items on a website. It’s about creating an impressive user experience that keeps customers coming back and keeps the customer journey efficient and enjoyable.
By implementing methods and strategies to improve user experience, you can create an ecommerce website which is easy to use, adaptable and offers convenience for today’s customer demands.
Here are some simple yet effective ways in which you can create a user-friendly ecommerce store.
Simplified navigation and layouts
Whether someone is shopping on their laptop or mobile, they want to be able to shop around with ease. Use clear categories and labels for products, and ensure that customers can easily find what they’re looking for using well-organised menus, filters and category pages.
Read more: e-commerce layout and content silos
Mobile responsiveness
With a significant portion of users shopping on mobile devices, making sure your e-commerce store is fully responsive is crucial. When designing a store make sure to test it on various screen sizes to create a seamless experience.
Read more about mobile responsiveness here.
Fast response and loading times
Slow-loading pages can deter potential customers and create a barrier to completing payments and searching around. Optimize your website’s performance by compressing images, using content delivery networks and minimising any unnecessary scripts.
High-quality content
Use high-resolution images that showcase your products from multiple angles and clearly show what the product looks like. Provide zoom and image enlargement options to help customers see the details whilst also choosing the correct lighting and backdrops. The same goes for any other content being used, for example video marketing or graphics.
Creative product descriptions
To accompany product images, make sure to write detailed and concise product descriptions which include essential information such as specifications, sizing charts, directions of use, fabrics and care instructions.
User reviews
Including user reviews will set a good precedent for both past and future customers. Enable customer reviews and ratings for products, persuading and advising customers.
Streamlined checkout
Make the checkout process as simple and quick as possible whilst also optimising features such as guest checkout options, data security, and the option of multiple payment methods. Many ecommerce stores will also offer new discounts or recommended products at this stage.
Security and reliability
With so many instances of scams and data leaks, customers may often be hesitant to buy from somewhere new and input their information. That’s why it’s a good idea to display trust badges and security certifications to give customers the confidence that their transactions is secure and protected.
Optimising returns and refunds
One of the biggest things to prioritise when it comes to having an e-commerce business is the process of returns and refunds. When buying online, customers do not see the physical product, and there could be several reasons they decide to return their goods. Having a clear and fair return policy will make it easy for customers to initiate returns or request refunds and also ensure they get their money or alternative product quickly.
Customer support
Provide accessible customer support options, such as live chat, email, or a dedicated help centre so that customers can easily ask questions or report an issue when shopping online. Your business must also respond to inquiries promptly and professionally so that customers are satisfied with the service.
SEO optimisation
SEO is critical for any website, but when it comes to ecommerce SEO, your business should optimise product pages for search engines and also still use standard SEO features such as keywords, meta descriptions and alt tags.
A/B testing
Ensure to continuously test different elements of your e-commerce store, such as button placements, colour schemes, UX design, and call-to-action buttons. A/B testing can help you identify what works best for your audience and whether or not certain features should be changed.
Ecommerce web design and SEO services across the UK
As e-commerce experts, our team have a selection of services that can help your e-commerce business grow and sell online.
You’ll benefit from an agency that doesn’t just think about design when it comes to your store, we also think about how to build it effectively to maximise its SEO potential. If you have a new brand which you’d like to launch an ecommerce, or if you already have a website, but you’d like to re-design and rebuild it, we’d love to help.
Contact our team on 0115 697 1221 to enquire and get started!
