If you intend to sell products, creating an e-commerce site is the best way to go about it. However, it possesses its own unique set of challenges. First, you'll need to set it up in a way that ensures that clients can purchase your products any time they want to without requiring your active presence. You will also have to ensure that any financial information your clients give prior to buying your products is protected from security breaches.
Because of the challenges posed by e-commerce sites, it’s in your best interest to tread carefully when creating one for your business. There are important factors that you should consider during the Web design process. So, what are these factors?
1. Budget
Your budget will determine the quality of work done on your e-commerce site. Good Web designers cost money, and you must budget for them accordingly.
To create a good e-commerce site, you need to incorporate the right Web site name, host, e-commerce plug-ins, and platforms, among other things. These things cost money too, and you need to be prepared.
Remember, you may be able to get cheaper designers and supporting software for your site, but the quality of the end product is likely to be low.
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2. Responsiveness of Design
The number of people accessing e-commerce sites via mobile devices is on the rise. Some do it from their smartphones while others shop via their tablets. Then there are those who still use their desktop computers and laptops to access the Internet.
Your site, therefore, needs to have a responsive design that can cater to different devices and platforms. The site should be easily accessible to both computer and mobile device users without compromising the quality of information and the experience.
3. Checkout Availability
There is nothing wrong with requiring people to open up accounts on your e-commerce site—in fact, it's actually recommended. You can use the information they provide to send them marketing information about new products and offers—just don’t forget to state that they should expect these offers, and that there should be a way to opt out.
However, not every client will want to shop from your site on a regular basis. For that reason, you should consider having multiple ways to check out on your e-commerce site. By doing so, both account holders and guests will be able to shop from your site hassle-free.
If you do not incorporate multiple checkouts, you are likely to lose the one-time clients. Every customer counts, and losing potential clients is bad for business – just think about that.
4. Site Navigation and Accessibility
An e-commerce site must be very navigable. Do consider incorporating search functionality within your site. You should also include search and sorting filters. That way, your site can sort out information based on product type, price, size, etc.
The information about each product you intend to sell should be clear. Use clear fonts, bold titles and subtitles, and good quality images. A clear call to action is also necessary.
5. Site Performance
Did you know that your site’s performance can affect the way potential clients perceive your business? Well, now you know.
Take time to shop around for the best website hosts and site platforms around. Also, your e-commerce site must have compressed images of the products you intend to sell. A longer loading time is bad for business.
6. Content Quality
Your content quality matters. Your product descriptions should be up-to-date and to the point. Your content should also include plenty of pictures and videos. Any content you provide on your e-commerce site should also be optimized for search engines. That will make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for.
Consider incorporating customer testimonials on your site for your products. These will sway potential clients much faster compared to other marketing techniques.
7. Security
Your e-commerce site must be secure. The last thing you want is for your customer’s information to be exposed to hackers because your site’s security systems are not robust. Remember Ashley Madison? You don't want to be responsible for such a disaster. It's your responsibility to protect your clients' information
Take your time to consider all the factors and then have your Web developer create the best site for your business. If you do it right the first time, you will not have to worry all the time.
