Almost everyone loves shopping online and it has become widely popular these days, especially among the new generation. And why wouldn’t it be? Online shopping is convenient and hassle-free. With so much love growing for online shopping, the e-Commerce industry sure needs to keep up with all the latest technology to keep their customers happy and satisfied. The popularity of your online store completely depends on your website; it means you need to make your e-commerce website engaging enough for your customers to visit again. E-Commerce websites need to provide all the essential information and an easy payment gateway for their customers.
If you run an e-commerce store, you might know that e-Commerce is an ever-evolving business. Therefore, you need to know what your customers are more interested in and what would keep them happy and satisfied with your e-Commerce platform. The main way to keep your store up and running is to keep your e-Commerce website minimalist with all the essential features that are crucial for your visitors. Customer satisfaction should be the first priority if you run an e-commerce store or any kind of business.
While the e-Commerce economy is poised for significant growth in the coming days, you can only expect to see results if you approach it in the right way. In this article, we will give you some of the vital tips for e-Commerce websites to run smoothly and keep your online store relevant, and boost your performance. So, let’s get started!
12 Vital Tips for E-Commerce Websites
Make a Good First Impression – Don’t Rush the Launch!
It takes seconds for users to decide if they like your website or not and you don’t get a second chance to make the first impression (that’s why they call it FIRST impression). Therefore, don’t rush the launch and take time to put everything on the table for your visitors. Be as creative as possible and make your e-Commerce website as engaging as possible for your users. You need to impress your visitors on the first go, so, invest in the best design to deliver a nice and visually comfortable experience for users. Remember! First impression is the last impression!
Be Customer Centric
Customers don’t get to touch, feel or try out the products they want to buy while online shopping. So, in order to cover up this shortcoming, offer the appropriate pricing, give free shipping (wherever possible) and make the purchase process as easy as possible to attract users and keep them engaged on your e-Commerce website. The extra services and offers will keep the customers engaged on your site and motivate them to make a purchase.
Make Sure your Website has a Responsive Design
Nowadays people are more into smartphones and tablets than on laptops and desktops. A study by mobileinsurance.com has revealed that an average person spends almost 100 minutes a day on their mobile phones. Now, don’t you want people to visit you during that 100 minutes? If your website takes forever to load on mobile devices, then, you might never be able to attract visitors. So, make your website design responsive and make it mobile-friendly to get more customers.
Make your Page more Visible on Google
As there are a number of e-Commerce stores being launched every day, the e-Commerce industry is experiencing rapid growth. This means you need to stay on the top of SEO and make your page more visible on Google to stand out among others. People are likely to click on the results on the first page of Google rather than clicking the ‘Next Page’ button. Therefore, to make your page visible on Google, you should think about optimizing your titles, URLs, and description of products. You should be able to provide useful and fresh content and focus on improving your website’s loading time.
Increase the Usage of (Good Quality) Images
As mentioned above, one of the most significant cons of online purchase is the inability to hold the product in your hands and try before buying them. From clothing to jewelry or white goods, product quality is often discerned through touch alone. So, in order to tackle this issue, make sure you use high-quality images of products from various angles. This will provide your users with the best overall impression, helping them to make a more informed purchase.
Easy Navigation
If you run an online store, make sure you keep it clean and simple. Adding unnecessary features to your website to make it “attractive” will only make your website messy and untidy. Instead, provide your customers with easy navigation, so that even if they are your first-time visitors, they would feel comfortable and easy. Don’t let them get lost on your website and compel them to hit that cross [X] button. Make them feel home with easy navigation and you will definitely get returning customers to your website.
Provide Clear and Complete Product Description and Information
While providing the product description, make sure they are clear, detailed, and descriptive. The description you add to your products needs to fit the detail and inspirational qualities of the photograph it accompanies. Make sure that product descriptions answer the basic questions regarding the product.
Collect User Information
Unless you plan to launch a single website and step away, which most entrepreneurs don’t really do, it is crucial that you collect customer information and build databases. This will help to aid future launches for you.
Easy Payment Options
You should always add easy yet secure payment options for your customers. Whether it’s by credit card, PayPal, or entering bank details, safe and secure payment options are a must for any online business. It should not be a complicated and long process. However, if you are comfortable enough, then you can also add a ‘Cash on Delivery’ option for users’ convenience.
Use Live Chat
Online businesses lack face-to-face interaction with the customers, which seems to be a little impersonal and out of reach. However, thanks to Live Chats; it helps you create a prominent contact section on your website and offers a direct line to a real person. Adding live chats on your websites reinforces the message that you’re more than happy to be contacted by your customers if they have any queries or feedback regarding their purchases. The live chat strategy makes your user feel like he’s in a real store, having all his questions answered by a shop assistant. So, place your live chat button in the most visible spot and provide your customers with an easier way to get in touch with you.
Let Your Customers Find you on Social Media Platforms
Social Media Platforms – the most influential place for online stores to get their success. Not being socially active or neglecting social media is one of the worst decisions ever for your online business. Millions of people are online searching for the product they wish to buy. You do not want to miss this opportunity, do you? Social media platforms give you endless uninterrupted glances into the lives of your customers. You shouldn’t only involve a community manager, it is preferred that you also be present there, social media can be a core of decision-making for your business. So, feel absolutely free to display your social media accounts and let your users know you better.
Send Thank You Cards
There is nothing as sincere as a thank you note sent via the mail. It costs virtually nothing but makes your customers feel appreciated and valued. An e-mail might have the same sentiments, but the added perceived effort provides a personal touch that is sure to impress your customers. Or, for a better impression, send a charming ‘Thank You’card along with the product you deliver. This will not only bring a smile to their faces but will also make them want to shop with you again.
So, there you go. We’ve come to the end of our compilation of few tips for e-Commerce websites to stand out among others in this competitive online industry. If you run an online store, you need to keep in mind that your website is the face of your business. So, make sure you follow these strategies to make your customers happy and satisfied with their purchases.
Do you have any other vital tips in mind that we didn’t mention here? Share them with us via comments. We’d love to hear from you.