If you want to run a successful online store, you need to have a great eCommerce website design. A good design can attract more customers, increase conversions, and boost your brand image. But how do you create a design that stands out from the competition and meets the expectations of your target audience? In this blog post, we will reveal 12 secrets of eCommerce website design that you can use to improve your online store. These are best practices from experts who have years of experience in the eCommerce industry. Let’s get started!
1. Choose a simple and clear layout
One of the most important aspects of eCommerce website design is the layout. The layout is how you arrange the elements on your web pages, such as the logo, navigation, products, content, and footer. A good layout should be simple and clear, so that your visitors can easily find what they are looking for and navigate through your site. Avoid cluttering your pages with too many elements or distracting features that can confuse or overwhelm your visitors. Instead, use white space, grid systems, and visual hierarchy to create a clean and organized look.
2. Optimize your site for mobile devices
More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to shop online. According to Statista, mobile devices accounted for 54.8% of global eCommerce sales in 2021, and this number is expected to grow to 72.9% by 2025. This means that if your eCommerce website is not optimized for mobile devices, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to reach more customers and increase your sales. To optimize your site for mobile devices, you need to make sure that your site is responsive, which means that it can adapt to different screen sizes and orientations. You also need to ensure that your site is fast, easy to use, and has a consistent design across all devices.
3. Use high-quality product images and videos
When it comes to eCommerce website design, product images and videos are essential. They are the first thing that your visitors see when they land on your product pages, and they can make or break their decision to buy from you. Product images and videos can showcase the features, benefits, and quality of your products, as well as evoke emotions and create trust in your brand. To make the most of your product images and videos, you need to use high-quality and professional photos and videos that are clear, crisp, and accurate. You also need to provide multiple angles, zoom options, and 360-degree views of your products, so that your visitors can see every detail and get a realistic impression of what they are buying.
4. Write compelling product descriptions
Another key element of eCommerce website design is product descriptions. Product descriptions are the text that accompanies your product images and videos on your product pages. They provide additional information about your products, such as their features, specifications, benefits, and usage instructions. Product descriptions can also persuade your visitors to buy from you by highlighting the value proposition of your products and addressing their pain points and needs. To write compelling product descriptions, you need to use clear and concise language that speaks to your target audience and showcases your unique selling points. You also need to use keywords that match the search intent of your potential customers and help them find your products on search engines.
5. Add social proof and trust signals
Social proof and trust signals are another important aspect of eCommerce website design. Social proof refers to the evidence that other people have bought from you or endorsed your products or brand. Trust signals refer to the indicators that show that your site is secure, reliable, and trustworthy. Social proof and trust signals can boost your credibility and reputation in the eyes of your visitors and influence their purchase decisions. Some examples of social proof and trust signals are:
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Testimonials and case studies
- Social media followers and mentions
- Awards and certifications
- Logos of trusted partners or clients
- Security badges and seals
You should display social proof and trust signals prominently on your site, especially on your homepage, product pages, checkout page, and landing pages.
6. Offer multiple payment options
One of the main reasons why online shoppers abandon their carts is because they don’t find their preferred payment option on your site. According to Baymard Institute, 8% of online shoppers abandon their carts because there were not enough payment methods available. This means that if you want to increase your conversions and sales, you need to offer multiple payment options on your site. You should include the most popular payment methods in your market or niche, such as credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and so on. You should also consider offering alternative payment methods, such as buy now, pay later, cryptocurrencies, or gift cards. By offering multiple payment options, you can cater to the preferences and needs of your customers and make it easier for them to complete their purchases.
7. Provide free shipping and easy returns
Another way to improve your eCommerce website design and increase your conversions and sales is to provide free shipping and easy returns. Shipping and returns are two of the most important factors that online shoppers consider when buying from you. According to Baymard Institute, 55% of online shoppers abandon their carts because of extra costs such as shipping, taxes, and fees. On the other hand, 79% of online shoppers say that free shipping would make them more likely to shop online. Similarly, 67% of online shoppers check the returns policy before making a purchase, and 92% of online shoppers say that they would buy again from a site that offers easy returns. Therefore, you should offer free shipping and easy returns on your site, or at least have clear and transparent policies that explain the terms and conditions of your shipping and returns.
8. Create a sense of urgency and scarcity
Another eCommerce website design technique that can help you increase your conversions and sales is creating a sense of urgency and scarcity. Urgency and scarcity are psychological triggers that motivate your visitors to take action quickly before they miss out on a great deal or opportunity. You can create a sense of urgency and scarcity on your site by using elements such as:
- Countdown timers
- Limited stock indicators
- Flash sales
- Exclusive offers
- Low stock alerts
- Customer activity notifications
You should use these elements strategically and sparingly on your site, especially on your product pages, checkout page, and landing pages. You should also make sure that your urgency and scarcity tactics are genuine and honest, and not misleading or manipulative.
9. Implement cross-selling and upselling
Cross-selling and upselling are another eCommerce website design strategy that can help you increase your conversions and sales. Cross-selling is when you suggest additional or complementary products that go well with the product that your customer is buying. Upselling is when you suggest a higher-end or more expensive product that has more features or benefits than the product that your customer is buying. Cross-selling and upselling can help you increase your average order value, customer loyalty, and customer satisfaction. You can implement cross-selling and upselling on your site by using elements such as:
- Product recommendations
- Frequently bought together
- Customers also bought
- You may also like
- Bundle deals
- Upgrade options
You should display these elements on your product pages, cart page, checkout page, and thank you page. You should also make sure that your cross-selling and upselling suggestions are relevant, personalized, and helpful to your customers.
10. Optimize your site speed and performance
One of the most crucial aspects of eCommerce website design is site speed and performance. Site speed and performance refer to how fast your site loads and how well it functions on different devices and browsers. Site speed and performance can have a huge impact on your conversions and sales, as well as your SEO ranking and user experience. According to Google, 53% of mobile users abandon a site that takes longer than three seconds to load. Moreover, a one-second delay in page load time can result in a 7% reduction in conversions. Therefore, you need to optimize your site speed and performance by using techniques such as:
- Compressing images and videos
- Minifying code
- Using a content delivery network (CDN)
- Caching pages
- Reducing redirects
- Enabling lazy loading
You should also regularly test your site speed and performance using tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Pingdom.
11. Design for accessibility
Another important aspect of eCommerce website design is accessibility. Accessibility refers to how easy it is for people with disabilities or impairments to use your site. Accessibility is not only a moral obligation but also a legal requirement in many countries. Moreover, accessibility can benefit your conversions and sales, as well as your SEO ranking and user experience. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over one billion people in the world who have some form of disability or impairment. This means that if your site is not accessible, you are excluding a large segment of potential customers from accessing your products or services. To design for accessibility, you need to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which are a set of standards that cover various aspects of web design such as:
- Text
- Images
- Audio
- Video
- Navigation
- Forms
- Colors
- Contrast
- Fonts
- Layout
You should also use tools such as WAVE or Lighthouse to check the accessibility of your site.
12. A/B test different elements
The last secret of eCommerce website design is A/B testing.
A/B testing is when you compare two versions of the same element on your site, such as a headline, a button, a color, or a layout, to see which one performs better. A/B testing can help you optimize your eCommerce website design by providing you with data and insights on what works and what doesn’t work for your site. You can use tools such as Google Optimize, Optimizely, or VWO to conduct A/B tests on your site. You should also follow these best practices for A/B testing:
- Have a clear and measurable goal for each test
- Test one element at a time
- Use a large and representative sample size
- Run the test for a sufficient duration
- Analyze the results and implement the winning version
Conclusion – eCommerce Website Design
eCommerce website design is a complex and challenging task that requires a lot of creativity, skill, and knowledge. However, by following these 12 secrets of eCommerce website design, you can create a site that attracts more customers, increases conversions, and boosts your brand image. These are best practices from experts who have years of experience in the eCommerce industry. If you need help with your eCommerce website design, you can contact us today. We are a team of professional and experienced web designers who can help you create a stunning and effective eCommerce site that meets your goals and needs. Contact us now and get a free quote!👇