16 Things You Need to Consider When Building an eCommerce Website

Building an eCommerce website is a lot of hard work, and there are so many things you need to take into consideration during the process. A good eCommerce website consists of many different elements, and it’s easy to forget something along the way.

That is why you should keep these 15 tips in mind while you are building your website.

1. Register your domain name right away

A catchy domain name can be hard to come by, as a lot of good ones are already taken.

Before you register it, you need to come up with a unique name that will make your eCommerce store stand out. Keep these things in mind when you’re choosing a domain name:

• Keep it short, between 6 and 14 characters.
• Make it brandable to represent your store.
• Include keywords related to your niche to boost SEO.
• Avoid uncommon extensions, and stick to .com, .org, and .net.

2.Have a fast-loading eCommerce website

Another important factor is the loading time of your website, as it can greatly influence user satisfaction and revenue. To put it simply, nobody wants to wait around for a website to load for more than a couple of seconds. If your eCommerce website is designed with loads of unoptimized images, potential customers will just turn to your competition.

You can speed up your website’s loading time by decreasing HTTP requests, uploading fewer images and videos, and optimizing the files and compressing the images you need to keep.

3. Make your website mobile-friendly

A website with an adaptive design is an essential part of the eCommerce world, as most of us use our mobile devices to access the internet. The days of just using your PC or laptop are over, and online shoppers want the ability to shop from all devices.

Since mobile usage is so high, eCommerce websites are expected to be mobile-friendly. In fact, 83% of mobile users say that a seamless experience across all devices is very important. That means that if your website doesn’t have a responsive web design, you will lose a lot of potential customers.

4. Keep the navigation simple

A common problem for many eCommerce stores is confusing navigation. If people come across a complicated website they can’t navigate through, they will simply leave it. When you start designing your website, keep in mind that less is more.

Stick to simple and minimalistic design that is both modern and easy to navigate.

5.Have an order management system

An order management system (OMS) keeps track of every customer’s order and allows them to see every step their order takes. It starts when the order is placed and finishes when the product is delivered to the customer.

This system is beneficial for customers because they can keep track of their orders and know when to expect it. But it is also beneficial for vendors, as they can keep an eye on all orders.

6.Include various communication channels

It is vital that a customer always has a way to communicate with you. Customers always have questions, concerns, and complaints, so it’s important they have a way of expressing them. Always be available to them through channels of communication they feel comfortable with.

Some of those channels include:

• Live Chat
• Email
• Telephone
• Social media
• SMS

According to eCommerce statistics, 80% of people stop doing business with a company because of poor customer experience. And communication is a big part of their overall experience.

7.Provide multiple language options

Since your eCommerce store can be accessed from anywhere in the world, you can sell your products to people from different countries. However, if you want to make any sales, your website visitors need to understand the content on the website first.

That is why you need to include options for a couple of different languages. Having a multilingual website will increase your visibility and attract a larger number of visitors.

8.Upload high-quality images of your products

One of the downsides of eCommerce stores is that the customer can’t see the product in person. That is why you need to provide them with high-quality images of your product. 

The accurate presentation of the product with pictures highlighting the best features can be a deal maker. Also, show the product from all angles, include the zoom option, and all the different colours that are available.

9. Show customer ratings and reviews

One of the best ways of attracting new customers is through positive reviews and great ratings. Word of mouth can greatly influence your website’s success. For a potential customer who isn’t sure about whether or not they should buy a product, a review might help them make up their mind.

You can also display customer testimonials on your website for the same effect. 

10.Include sharing options

Most websites nowadays have a sharing feature, as social media has become very popular and widespread. If you include sharing options, your customers will be able to let others know about your product. This is a great way to increase the number of visits to your website, and your sales as well.

Since 74% of consumers rely on their social networks to make purchasing decisions, it would be a very smart decision to allow your customers to share your website and links to your products.

11.Include a blog on your eCommerce website

Blogs are a great way to educate your audience about your products and your industry in general. Sometimes, a picture and description of a product aren’t enough. Your customers want to know as much about the product as possible and it’s your job to educate them.

Blogs are also great for uploading video tutorials. This is something you need to consider, as the video has a great impact on the eCommerce industry. Finally, a blog will help you boost your SEO and reach a high-ranking position on Google.

12.Have an FAQ page

You might not think a FAQ page is necessary, but it is actually a useful addition to any website. As your business grows, you will start getting a lot of questions and inquiries from customers, and it will take a lot of time to reply to all of them.

When you notice some questions that are repeated often, provide answers to them on a convenient FAQ page. This will save both your and your customers’ time, and it will improve overall user experience on your eCommerce website.   

13.Recommend similar products

One of the most common features of every eCommerce store is cross-selling. This term refers to offering similar products to the one the customer has just looked at or purchased. You can offer products that they might also enjoy or similar products in that category.

Customers are more likely to purchase more than one item if you display recommended products. These recommendations can also be based on a customer’s purchasing history. 

14.Know your customer

When visitors come to your eCommerce website, they exit leaving the data footprint for you to explore. Use this behavioural insight on your customer to customize offers with dedicated banners for each customer cohort & personalized journey within the website. This doesn’t just make the customer feel loved but helps them avoid conflicts & make immediate purchase decisions.

15. Keep the checkout process simple

Most people prefer eCommerce shopping over shopping malls because it’s more convenient and simple. But if you have an overly-complicated checkout process, some customers will be too annoyed or confused by the process to finish the transaction.

Make sure the checkout process:

• Is simple and fast to get through.
• Is contained to one page.
• Has forms that are easy to fill out.

16.Include multiple payment options

Your customers want options, and that isn’t restricted to a wide range of products. They want to be able to pay for products via different payment methods. Everyone has a preferred method of payment, and if a website doesn’t offer it, they will look for one that does.

Some of the most popular payment methods include:

• Credit/debit cards
• Mobile payments
• Bank transfers
• PayPal
• COD (cash on delivery)

Conclusion

The world of eCommerce is competitive and there are millions of eCommerce stores online. However, not all of them have high-quality websites that are able to convert their website visitors into paying customers.

If you follow all of the advice you just read, your eCommerce website won’t be just one of many, but it will stand out and attract new visitors every day.