Having a great web design for an eCommerce website is one way to attract online shoppers’ attention, but it is not everything. Different factors still contribute to how your site and business perform. More than the visuals and promotions, the online store experience should also be improved.
If you want to be on par with other online stores, here are the different elements that can help improve your eCommerce site’s performance:
1. A Clear Purpose
Buying and shopping are two different things. As an eCommerce site owner, you should know its difference. Buying is a more intentional type of purchase. People already know what they are looking for when they buy. They make fast transactions, they are all about convenience, and if they need to make choices, it is all about assortment.
Buying is different from shopping, which focuses on the experience. People who shop takes more time to find the right item. They need to ask questions, touch the products, inspect, and check more options.
Amazon, for example, is optimized for buying. If you assess Amazon’s site, you will notice that it does not offer the most user-friendly experience. However, it does not matter because they are a site for buyers, those who already know what they will get.
Be clear about what type of experience your shop offers. If your online shop offers high-end items, maybe you should invest in giving your site visitors excellent user experience. If you target the lower end, you understand that they are mostly on budget, so they often know what they are looking for.
2. Emphasized Key Drivers
You probably have heard this a lot of times, but your website reflects your business. It is the extension of your brand and the items you sell. Your website acts as a display of your brand promise.
If you think that product images are your edge over other eCommerce websites, consider experimenting with 360-degree photo functionality. If you believe people prefer your site because of your more affordable pricing, highlight it, or make a price comparison.
Apply this important strategy, especially when battling with giants like Amazon. Because you are aware that you cannot compete by offering your customers free shipping or the lowest discount, you can focus on what you have and design your site experience based on it.
3. An Experience for Your Site Visitors
According to Entrepreneur.com, Apple.com is the best brand-oriented e-Commerce platform. It is because their website reflects the personality and promise of their brand. Their website is so sleek and streamlined that it solidifies the brand’s image.
Apply the same principle to your site too. Your website’s aesthetic is not only about the logo or the colors you used, but also about the feeling or after-thoughts that your site visitors would get after interacting with your brand.
4. Alignment and Integration
One way to make your store better than others is by giving a good service. That can be translated into how both your online and physical store functions.
For example, a customer would like to buy the dress you put on sale on your website. However, there are no more stocks of the size she wants. She did her research and saw that your physical store still has a supply of the same dress on her size. She mentions the discount your eCommerce store offers, and the store manager allows her to make the discounted purchase.
There is no line or disintegration between the two stores, and it gives a better buying experience to the customer. Not all is about the brand visuals; consistency among different channels is also crucial.
5. A Clear and Transparent Message
An excellent eCommerce store would not only bombard people with the products they sell; they also tell them why they do it and how they can help. It is vital that every website, even an eCommerce site, have their “Mission” or “About” pages. That way, you can communicate your objectives clearly and transparently.
Also, produce blog content for your website, even if you are an eCommerce site. Apart from acting as a traffic driver, it is one way of owning what you sell and the industry you are in.
Conclusion
Your eCommerce site is how customers get to know your brand, so it is vital that you improve it in all of its aspects. Having an online store, especially when you also have a physical store, should not be limited to your site’s appearance. Be well-rounded and consider these five elements we mentioned.
When it comes to brand consistency and integrity, having a graphics team that can also translate your brand message to your storefront can significantly help. If you need a brand management company that prioritizes your success, you are in the right place. Contact us today, and we will help you get new customers, build sales, and more.