Websites are the core of businesses in this digital age where everything is done online. Whether it is about availing of services or purchasing products, customers around the globe can fulfill their needs through any device whether a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Website designs influence the store’s credibility up to 75% and there is only a short window of 1 second to leave the first impression. Online users are fairly impatient and they are more likely to abandon a website if it is unable to engage them within the first 3 seconds. 

In this situation, building the Best e-commerce website design is a challenging job as the market trends are constantly changing. Modern websites have also evolved much from their earlier forms. So, before you embark on your journey of e-commerce; let’s take a deep dive.

What is an e-commerce website?

e-commerce website is all about creating, launching, and maintaining a virtual store to sell products or services online. However, this website design is built for a single business that stays under the complete ownership of the business owner. Its structure and fundamental value are different than third-party online marketplaces like eBay. 

Website design includes a whole lot of avenues as design is not the only thing that customers look for. Social media marketing, digital marketing, and SEO practices are also parts of the process as they help to improve user experience as well as bring more traffic to the online store. 

Best Practices for e-Commerce Website Design

Your business’s e-commerce store design depends on the customer needs as well as the elements that help to embrace your brand. However, there are some standard elements that you will find relevant across every industry. 

1. Design Focusing on User Experience

Design is not only about the appearance of the store but how it makes your customers feel. Your e-commerce business website must provide a unique user experience that helps to strengthen the emotional tether between your products and the customers. You would want your customers to envision your product as a daily need in their respective lives which makes it easier for them to justify the expenses.

Only opting for photos and vibrant colors is not a wise choice as they need to be relevant to the products you are offering. Prioritizing customer experience in web design can help to improve the customer base with a deep impact. When customers go through a pleasant user experience, they are more likely to proceed with their orders at a 400% higher conversion rate. It improves purchase rates and makes them become frequent shoppers.  Keeping a customer-centric design is always better for the business because that comes with an easy and consistent organic structure. Simplify your navigation to help potential customers across demographics. Smart search features are great in this case and help customers find their desired products quickly and easily without any hassle. Take a look at your website from customers’ perspective and you will have a better idea.

2. Match with Brand Identity

Your e-commerce website is not just a virtual store but a brand and a brand’s first approach through web design is what helps to confirm that your virtual store reflects a value proposition. A great web design that matches the brand identity can help to connect leads, build brand loyalty, and establish the business in the niche market with authenticity and a huge impact. Your brand is supposed to reflect its features and represent your company with a bit of emphasis. Only then, you will be able to stand out in the horde. 

Create a web design that aligns with your brand identity and embraces it with unified aesthetics, product photos, iconography, fonts, and color schemes that resonate with customers. Always try to be consistent with your web design as it helps the customers get used to your website. However, page layout and other features can change from time to time in order to accommodate new products and information. However, all the other elements must reflect a cohesive narrative of the brand. 

3. Stay Updated with Market Trends

Digital marketing trends are constantly evolving along with technological advancement. The websites, their structure, and features have also changed according to time. If you are trying to attract more customers in the modern; you better be well-versed with the market trends. Nowadays, business websites can include interactive layouts, dynamic pages, and data-driven product recommendations which were not present in the earlier websites. 

Most customers seek a personalized digital user experience that offers a seamless journey of online shopping and other interactions. A concept of social commerce is also growing in the market that helps to connect with shoppers through various channels. 

4. Optimize Website for Mobile Use

It is not unknown to everyone that most online users around the world interact with websites through their mobile phones. When it comes to online shopping, smartphones play a crucial role by letting customers interact with websites at any time from anywhere. If your website is compatible with mobile devices like desktops, smartphones, and tablets; it helps create a memorable experience for each customer and makes them visit your website more.

Customers are less likely to interact with a business website that is not mobile-friendly. They are 67% more biased to purchase from a website that possesses a responsive design for mobile devices. The mobile design must align with a user-friendly navigation which helps customers find the exact product even if your brand has an extensive range of products. It is highly important to test the mobile design before launching it in the market. 

5. Social Proof: Customer Reviews

Customer reviews and testimonials work like social proof that your business is authentic and has already satisfied the customers with its products or services. So, make sure to feature positive feedback and other user-generated content that allows you to gain the trust of the visitors. A good buying experience can validate brand value while removing all kinds of resistance on the path of purchasing the product. 

6. Simple Checkout Process

The path to purchase a product should be easy and straightforward that does not confuse the users. Incorporating a one-page process can reduce friction and streamline the whole process of check-out. Make experiments with colors and other elements that help to funnel the potential customers through a buying cycle. You can utilize red buttons and dynamic typography that helps to grab their attention instantly. 

Call-to-action (CTA) and Cart View are excellent mediums to guide shoppers through the whole process shopping journey. There should be also flexible payment methods other than just paying via credit card method as customers require more options. Reducing cognitive decision-making can help to increase the conversion rate. 

7. Incorporate Trust Signals

It is only normal that new customers and visitors would be more skeptical about your brand and the website. They are not aware of your products and your business is a new brand to them which they might not trust at first glance. That is why Trust Signals are very important. They offer an additional layer of transparency to the customers, gaining trust from them. Some of the common trust signals are,

• Professional & High-Quality Product Photography – Visuals are very important to embrace your brand and make it more recognizable. Site visuals help customers trust your product and then proceed to purchase. Before the customers click on ‘buy’; they can check the images of the products from multiple angles, just like checking in their own hands. Positioning photos against white space to accentuate details is a common idea that is used by most photographers. Also, utilize lifestyle photos to demonstrate product usability to the customers. 
• Contact Information – It is highly important to share your business contact information so that interested buyers can connect with you or interact as a client. You can utilize a chat plug-in to answer questions and schedule appointments in real time.
• Store Policies, Terms & Conditions – You need to inform the customers how your e-commerce store operates along with the terms and policies they have to abide by. Only putting up a simple return policy can improve sales as it decreases shopping cart abandonment since users do not feel the fear of being stuck with a product they do not need. 
• Technical Certifications – Safety and security is another major concern. So, make sure to put up badges and graphics that work like proof of industry compliance.

Final Thoughts 

Without having an attractive and efficient e-commerce website, you can miss out on big business opportunities to leverage your brand. Elevate the digital brand-optimized web design that offers a better user experience and keeps the customers engaged on the platform for more purchases. In case, you find yourself stuck in the middle of the journey; always take professional help. By following the right practices; you create an e-commerce that suits your business the best.