The growth of E-Commerce continues to have a massive impact on the website design industry.
In 2012, there were 820 million people living in Europe; 529 million use the internet, and a staggering 250 million are internet shoppers. The average spend per internet shopper is estimated to be over £1,000 a year.
This does not mean, of course, that every E-Commerce business is making the most of these opportunities.
In this relatively new industry we’re constantly looking for ways to improve the service that we deliver. As a web design company, one of our primary goals is to help clients increase their E-Commerce sales.
This Mashable article from last summer outlines 10 helpful ways to boost your E-Commerce sales. Whilst it’s a little simplistic, it gives a very helpful insight into the ways in which we’re working to produce website design solutions which really do result in increased turnover for our clients.
With a number of Shopify E-Commerce web design projects on the go, we’re looking to integrate the following principles into every website that we develop:
1. Navigation and Browser Compatibility
Too many E-Commerce websites are difficult to use. If you’re expecting site visitors to hand over their hard-earned cash for your products then you need to make site navigation as simple as possible. This includes your menus, homepage and search facilities. There are few things more frustrating than finding the product and the price that you’re looking for but being hindered by an ineffective website design.
The importance of responsive web design (RWD) also cannot be overstated. Ensuring that your E-Commerce website is optimised for cross-browser and cross-device compatibility will ensure that your website design is accessible and straightforward for every visitor to use.
2. E-Commerce Content and Checkout
It’s vital that your product description and detail wins the visitor’s trust and encourages them to buy. This means that you need to apply your industry knowledge and transfer this meticulous approach to your website’s content. If details or specification are unclear, then potential customers will simply choose another competitor.
Amazon have pioneered the one-click checkout and we can learn much from the simplicity and reliability of their approach. A checkout system that works every time is hugely affirming for customers. It’s also noteworthy that Amazon’s product details are as comprehensive as any E-Commerce retailer in the world, and yet finding and purchasing products is extremely simple.
3. Beautiful Website Design
It goes without saying that beautiful website design will help you boost your E-Commerce sales. Applying the same attention to detail to your web design that you show when organising a window display or shop fitting is key to selling your products; the visual impact of your website design is key.
This includes your photography. The images of your products need to compel site visitors to make a purchase, showing your products in the most helpful and contextualised way that you can.
Website Design Really Will Boost Sales
Ultimately, we’re persuaded that excellent website design really will impact your E-Commerce turnover. Applying these principles and working hard on your website really can help you reach new customers and boost your sales.