There’s nothing worse than wanting to purchase something online and hitting an eCommerce site that is confusing, slow, or flat out doesn’t work. At ATAK, we’ve seen our fair share of frustrating eCommerce sites, but usually, the fixes are really simple. If you’re kicking off your own eCommerce website, we can help you avoid some common mistakes. Here are the 11 most obvious features your 2019 eCommerce site absolutely needs.
1. Easy to Use
The last thing your customers want is a stressful shopping experience. Remove all remnants of anxiety or confusion by providing them with a website that has clear and consistent messaging, easy to find customer reviews, and a relevant FAQ section. Also, take a hard look at every link and piece of copy and take out anything that isn’t necessary.
2. High-Quality Photos and Video
First impressions are important, don’t let the first encounter a potential customer has with one of your products be a grainy, underlit image. You want them to see your products in the best possible light so invest in some high-quality images for your website and social media channels.
3. Be Mobile and Browser Friendly
Did you know if Google finds your site “mobile unfriendly” your business will not come up in search results when a user is searching from their phone? Did you also know 62% of mobile users have made a purchase from their mobile devices in the last 6 months? Don’t miss out on a huge chunk of potential customers. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly. Beyond that, go through the purchasing funnel on a few different phones and web browsers to catch any bugs or confusing prompts. Different mobile operating systems can show your website in slightly different ways so be sure to test it out on a few devices.
4. Special Offers
If users hit your website with a high intent to purchase, having a special offer prominently displayed can really clinch the sale. To create a special offer that entices your customers but doesn’t gouge your bottom line, first determine your cost of acquisition for each new customer and use that as a guide to set the parameters for special offers.
5. Related Items
Not every click is going to lead a customer to the exact right product. Including a “related items” section can keep customers on the site for longer and increase the chance that they find what they’re looking for. Many brands are taking this type of feature a step further and adding a “people who bought this also bought” or “also in this collection” tool to help users find more accurate accessories to match.
6. Social Profiles and UGC
Potential customers can get the best sense of your product by seeing it in the wild. Having your social profiles linked helps customers see your products in a more natural setting. Including UGC submissions, or content actual customers have submitted or posted online, allows users to get an idea of the lifestyle your product denotes.
7. Favorites or Wishlists
Not every person who hits your site is ready to purchase your awesome products right away. Make sure you make it really simple for potential customers to save their preferred items for later.
8. Security Features
Keep your customer’s information safe from potential cybercriminals. Update your website’s security features to include an SSL certificate, two-factor authentication, and a clear privacy policy link in the footer. (If you have any questions on how to set up these security features for your website, email us at info@atakinteractive.com and we can help you.)
9. Advanced payment options
With the availability of Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Amazon Pay, and PayPal, your users are used to quick, hassle-free payments. Make sure to make entering and submitting payment as simple as possible, and again, have your team go through the purchasing funnel so you know exactly how easy it is.
10. Contact Page and Ticketing System
Have a contact page with multiple ways to get in touch– include your email address, phone number, and an online form so your customers know you’re never more than a click or call away.
11. Return policy
Create a really seamless experience for your customers by having a crystal clear, hassle-free return policy. This way, even if the item wasn’t perfect for them, you’ll leave a positive impression in their mind and ensure that they’ll be back for more.
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With these 11 eCommerce features, you’re ready to create an enjoyable and safe online shopping experience for your customers. Want to learn more about how ATAK Interactive can help you build a successful eCommerce store? Let’s talk!
