Loading...7 examples to follow in your e-commerce journey
1. User-friendly UX and UI
What are the greatest challenges faced by online store owners? The list is pretty long. Today customers expect e-commerce stores to offer them the possibility to finalize transactions just with a few clicks, without the necessity to set up an account or fill in numerous forms. Already at this stage, you can lose even 31% of potential buyers. Too many tables to fill in and "I agree" buttons to click on? People will leave. There should be only 2-3 subpages between clicking the “buy now” button and receiving the confirmation email. The interface should be as intuitive as possible, so that at first glance users know what, where, and why to click. A thorough Customer Journey Map analysis will help you develop the proper UX/UI of your store. [caption id="attachment_31445" align="aligncenter" width="750"]
The interface of the Scan homepage is pretty effective. Even without scrolling, you can immediately notice the search bar and sample categories to choose from. Below there's a slider that informs about the latest campaigns and marketing actions.[/caption]
2. Quality product descriptions
What do we mean by quality? Packed with reasons proving it’s worth buying a given product. Benefit-driven language is unbelievably powerful. Create descriptions that comprehensively inform about the applications and features of your product range. They should answer specific questions: How will the customer's life change after buying the item? How can it help or facilitate everyday work and life? An ideal product specification represents your whole brand and offer. Would you be able to give your right arm and state that your product can boast the finest and most effective product descriptions? Simple Q&A or FAQ sections discussing specific elements of your product range could successfully complement your product descriptions. If you know what are the most frequently asked questions about a given product, make sure you answer them in its specification. Apart from supporting the SEO process of the product page, these pieces of information will also resolve customers’ doubts. Refine your product descriptions with accurate CTAs.3. Appealing product pictures
Stock pictures or photos sent by manufacturers (if you’re only a distributor) won’t suffice. Today customers care about social proof. What do these shoes look like in real life? What are the reactions of people who got a given item as a gift? Will that armchair or poster look aesthetic in the living room? Which well-known Influencers use this product and advertise it on Instagram? [caption id="attachment_30071" align="aligncenter" width="750"]
In the screenshot above you can see how long sweatshirts offered at UrbanCity look on a model.[/caption]
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This time, however, you can see some random stock product pictures provided by manufacturers. If you were to decide now, which option would you choose? Which photos and products appeal to you more?[/caption]
4. Proper product filtering and sorting options
To buy your products, users first need to find them. This can happen not only due to appropriate SEO activities ensuring that your website is ranked high on Google but also thanks to appropriate product filtering and sorting options on your website. Imagine that eBay or AliExpress lacks this solution and all offered goods are simply displayed on one subpage. Quite a disaster, right? As a customer, you’d probably leave without making a purchase. Proper filtering and sorting options will certainly allow you to decrease your bounce rate. Product sorting options will also significantly facilitate up-selling activities responsible for persuading users to buy some extra goods that will perfectly complement the remaining items in their shopping carts. Showing everything you offer at the very beginning makes it significantly harder for users to realize what’s going on and where they can actually access given products. [caption id="attachment_31449" align="aligncenter" width="750"]
Product filtering is extremely important as it improves your online store navigation. However, this process starts even before the development of the e-commerce shop. Gym Hero is a perfect example of properly described and categorized items. Clothes are grouped into those for men, women, and children. You can also select types of clothing and sports disciplines that are of interest to you.[/caption]
5. User-friendly return policy, shipping, and payment methods
Clear and understandable regulations, an efficient product return policy, affordable or free delivery, and a variety of available payment methods - bank transfers, online payments, installments, or cash on delivery. These are customers’ expectations and as many as 44% of potential buyers can resign from finalizing the transaction if the shipping costs are too high. Especially that nowadays they can take advantage of subscription models available in numerous online stores.6. Positive online reviews
The famous quote “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” doesn’t apply here. All reviews, especially the negative ones, matter. One unflattering comment outweighs even 10/20 positive ratings. Online customers’ feedback, including Google reviews, is crucial for people wanting to buy expensive devices such as household appliances or electronics. In such a situation, before making the final decision, users will probably think twice. After all, they aren’t about to order cosmetics that cost a few dollars. In this case, credibility and trustworthiness are literally worth its weight in gold.7. Efficient customer service
Theoretically speaking, high customer service standards are a total must-have. However, we can still read about sellers who don’t reply to messages, don’t read emails and social media comments, or simply have their phones switched off. Poor customer service will very quickly translate into negative online reviews and then even the finest product descriptions, pictures, or store interface won't help. [caption id="attachment_31447" align="aligncenter" width="733"]
Proper customer service equals positive feedback. Poor customer service equals a failure of your business.[/caption]
