There are numerous online stores nowadays and all of them feature different gimmicks and their own unique designs to attract and engage shoppers. However, people today are smarter and keener on what they are looking for in terms of online shopping- convenience!
In order to achieve your website’s maximum potential, there are several general essentials that need to be present and clearly visible all throughout your online shop.
These are the 10 features that your eCommerce website must have.
1. Keep It User-Friendly
People do not have enough time to tinker around and navigate through a website filled with “everything but the kitchen sink!”
Most online consumers already have a specific idea of what they want when they shop online. Thus, most of them are looking for the quickest way to get to those items.
Your site has to have smart navigational tools that directly point your customers to where they can immediately find, select and purchase the product.
Keeping your website simple and user friendly will attract more customers than having a flashy complicated one. Convenience should be the total shopping experience.
2.Relevant, Engaging Photos and Videos
Online shoppers shop with their eyes first. You can no longer entice consumers with merely detailed descriptions, bulleted information and a price tag.
Your website has to have high-resolution photos that showcase a product 360 degrees. Multiple photos also provide effective details quicker.
People will scrutinize what you are selling from top to bottom so, you have to be able to visually satisfy them with a short but highly informative video of the product.
Keep in mind that people have no patience for images and videos that take a lot of time to load so make sure your media files are optimized for faster page loading.
3. Shopping Cart, Search and Log in Boxes
Shopping carts are one of the most important icons that need to be easily seen in your website. After all, this is where your consumer will make their final purchase decisions.
It is also highly efficient to have a search box if you are selling multiple items. Enhance your search box with an autocomplete option to improve search functionality and provide quicker access to a specific brand or item.
Always provide your consumers with a sign up option so that they can log in anytime to review their past transactions. Not only will this provide convenience but also security.
4. Payment Methods
eCommerce deals with different types of customers from all over the globe. Each person will have a specific preferred payment method.
Offer multiple main payment systems as much as possible like credit & debit cards, vouchers, gift cards, COD, PayPal etc…
It is important that your payment methods are clearly presented to inform consumers of any limitations like “not accepting international credit cards” or “requiring same address for billing and delivery in the same country as the store.”
5. Security Features
Consumers are particular when it comes to online security during transactions. If your clients feel that they are genuinely protected, they will shop at ease.
Ensure your website has an effective, secure platforms such as:
- Firewall to act as a wall between two networks which blocks any malicious 3rd party software or traffic
- Two-Factor Authentication to add extra layer of security which requires more than just username/password but also a code sent via email or text.
Be sure to provide a Privacy Policy link that so your clients can be assured that their data is not shared to any third party sites.
6. Mobile Website
People shop online for convenience and what is more easy to do than shop with one’s mobile phone? Believe it or not, 50% of the online transactions come from mobile shopping.
Optimize your mobile website so that consumers can access it in the most user-friendly way. Ensure that it is responsive and adaptive so that it can easily be accessed through any device.
7. Detailed Shipping Information
Shipping information is a critical part of eCommerce websites so it’s crucial to include it immediately in the checkout process.
Make sure that delivery time, delivery options and Zip code calculator showing costs are well-lined up so that users quickly see and understand them. Also, list the specific countries that you will not ship to or will require special shipping rates and zones.
Always include a free shipping option and offer coupons and codes on all the site pages. People spend more if they do not have to worry about shipping fees!
8. FAQs, Contact Numbers and Online Help
There will always be a customer who will need help online. It is convenient if you have multiple contact numbers where they can easily reach you for concerns.
Online chat feature will even take customer assurance a step further!Offering online chat option ensures that clients will not have to deviate from the website to have their concerns addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are also the simplest and fastest way to address any issues and clarifications so make sure it is present in your website and it contains relevant and direct-to-the-point information.
9. Related Items, Freebies and Deals
There is always an opportunity to make your client want to go back for more. One way is to lead them towards “related items” that might tickle their shopping curiosity. Plus, it adds a personal touch that sends a message to a consumer that this site truly cares about what they want.
Of course, who does not get excited over getting huge discounts and freebies? Place your promotions and great deals prominently on your website to attract even more buyers.
10. User Generated Store and Product Reviews
Shoppers will always want to know what other people think of a product or a service. In fact, maybe around 95% of them.
It is better to have user-generated reviews and content because this builds social proof. It shows that real people are the ones really leaving reviews and comments.
Do not be worried if you receive negative reviews because it shows authenticity.
Always keep in mind that your website should have the 3 Cs: Convenience, Credibility and Consumer Care. This will continuously keep you in line when enhancing and improving your website to best suit your customers and increase not only site traffic but also sales!
