When it comes to eCommerce, having the right set of features on your website can make all the difference as they can help to attract and retain customers. So what are the key features of an eCommerce website and best practices to follow?
Ecommerce Website Best Practices:
- Include high-quality photography
- Include product reviews
- Make the path to purchase effortless
- Include a hassle-free returns policy
- Include search functionality
- Include clearly signposted FAQs
- Provide rewards for loyalty
- Include product recommendations
Key Ecommerce Website Features to Include
High-Quality Photography
Almost half of consumers judge a store’s credibility based on image quality and design, so visual presentation is paramount in eCommerce. Product images are a significant factor in driving conversions, as a large percentage of online shoppers rely on them to make purchasing decisions.
Product Reviews
Customer reviews play a vital role in building trust and influencing purchase decisions. Research shows that nearly all online shoppers read reviews before buying. What’s interesting is that products with a mix of positive and moderate reviews are often more trusted than those with exclusively positive ones.
Effortless Path to Purchase
The buying process should be simple and barrier-free. You’ll need to ensure that your call-to-action buttons are clear and compelling. Complex checkout processes are a big reason for carts being abandoned, so it’s best to try to streamline the path to purchase.
Hassle-free Returns Policy
In eCommerce, trust is key, and a straightforward return policy reassures customers that their purchase is risk-free. Easy returns have become a top reason for choosing a retailer, with 96% of consumers saying they would shop again based on a hassle-free return experience.
Prominent Search Functionality
A user-friendly search bar is crucial for helping customers find what they’re looking for quickly. This feature is even more critical for stores with extensive product ranges. Include FAQs and relevant blog posts in your search results to enhance the user experience.
FAQs
Including a section for frequently asked questions on your eCommerce site can boost sales and reduce the workload on customer service. Addressing common customer inquiries about products before and after purchase helps to improve the overall shopping experience.
Rewards for Loyalty
Loyalty and referral programs are effective ways to maintain customer loyalty and attract new ones. Loyalty programs offer points for future purchases, while referral programs provide discounts for sending new customers to your site.
Product Recommendations
Implementing product recommendation features can increase average order values and overall sales. Amazon’s recommendation engine, for instance, accounts for a significant portion of its sales. These recommendations can be based on sales data, product descriptions, and predictive algorithms to offer personalised suggestions.
Empowering Your eCommerce Success
Having a website with the right features is absolutely essential for success. These include high-quality imagery, product reviews, a user-friendly purchasing process, easy returns, effective search functionality, loyalty rewards, product recommendations, and a comprehensive FAQs section, all of which are important features for successful eCommerce website design. At Yellowball, we understand that these features are key to attracting and retaining a loyal customer base for eCommerce websites in the UK and beyond. Yellowball is a web design and development agency based in London, UK, contact us today and discover what we can do for you!
