If you are running an e-commerce website, then you might have a perfect opportunity to see serious financial opportunities. However, you must be diligent and utilize the best resources possible. Otherwise, your website is bound to get lost in the shuffle of countless other similar sites. Whether you're just now designing a website or have been wanting to revitalize an existing one, you can't afford to neglect your design. Here are WooCommerce Web Development best practices for your e-commerce site.
The most popular websites aren't just popular because they offer exciting products or interesting articles and video. They're popular because they're easy to use. If someone uses your website and finds themselves bewildered by your layout, they're going to close that tab before you even have a dream of making a sale. When it comes to site design, there are some things to keep in mind:
Clutter: A busy page, filled with pictures, loud colors, and no breathing room is one that's bound to turn people off. Keep your website design tasteful.Easy to navigate: A website should not feel like a maze. If your e-commerce site has users completely disoriented as they try to search, checkout and pay for items, they're going to feel like they're in a crowded retail store.Basic checkout: Your customers should not have to jump through hoops to pay for their items. Make the checkout process fast and easy.Sophisticated search: This is one area where getting a little creative is encouraged. Have a search function where customers can quickly browse by item type, price and more. It will be a great way to show off the variety of goods you have for sale.
We're sure that you love your company and are completely devoted to it, but your appreciation isn't enough. You have to show people how much pride you put into it. When visitors come to your website, they should have a sense that you're not like every other e-commerce site. It should be readily apparent that you stand out. You can show this with a strong mission statement, where you emphasize your company's core values. Make sure you also include how you care for your customers and give background information about how the business started, so people feel a humanistic approach. This doesn't need to be a dry presentation either. You can get creative, with quick videos or animations to share your message with the world.
All around you, people are using smartphones to communicate in a variety of ways. Web browsing is now done on the go as much as it's done sitting at a desk. That means you had better make sure your site is optimized for mobile usage. If necessary, you may have to create a version of your site specifically for mobile usage. If people can't browse your site with ease from their iPhone or Android, they're unlikely to be bothered to check it out on a desktop.
The point of your website might be to sell things, but it shouldn't be the only thing. After all, there are so many websites out there that are all about selling things. If that's your hook, then you're not going to stand out at all. Visitors to your website should be encouraged to return regularly. How can you do that? By updating your site on a regular basis. This doesn't mean you should change the design willy-nilly, but you should have certain features that can be regularly updated. For instance, a company blog in which you update visitors on the on-goings of your business can be a terrific way to keep them informed. You can even offer interesting perspectives outside of your business.
How often have you ordered something online, only to have it delivered and find that it was not at all like what the website promised? Deception like this is an excellent way to lose customers and their trust. It can be avoided by offering photos that are representative of the product and give customers an idea of whether or not they'll be able to use it. This means you should have a varied amount of professional photos and even videos, which are a great way to show a product in action. Transparency is essential for any business, and this is one of the best ways for your site to show off its openness with customers.
The purpose of your website is to make money. Therefore, you need visitors to buy things from you or generate leads. You don't want to seem desperate, but you also don't want to be so subdued that they can't even figure out how to checkout. There should be easy to access shopping and checkout buttons, call to actions for deals, contact forms or subscribes all around your website, but they should be implemented tastefully, so visitors don't feel like your website is a giant pushy salesman. Find the balance between too hands-on and too hands-off with your website, and you'll be in a good place.
You can't please everyone, but that doesn't mean you should try to please nobody. Being open to feedback and constructive criticism will not only help you as a business owner, but it'll also help you as a person. Have an easy to access customer service section on your site with a place for visitors to send messages easily. Most importantly, you should do your best to respond to their feedback and consider their suggestions. Not every response will be helpful, but you should still be open to suggestions.
One disadvantage of e-commerce sites compared to brick-and-mortar retailers is that customers can't get as good of a sense of the product. Since they're not physically holding it, they need to rely on photos and descriptions. Make your product descriptions as accurate as possible. They should explain the benefits, size dimensions and purpose of each product. If someone feels confused as to what a product does, they're certainly not going to order it.
Running an e-commerce site can be a demanding undertaking. With WooCommerce Web Development guidance, you can make your site stand out and help ensure customers come back again and again.
To learn more, check out these 21 Tips for WooCommerce Website Design.
If you need help or advice on your WooCommerce store, comment or reach out to us at Bright Vessel by using our form.
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