Digital transactions are off the charts! Online shopping is at an all-time high and as the world reels from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers are consistently relying on ecommerce for everything they need.
The digital market has seen a huge change as small businesses migrate online en masse to ensure continuity. The e-commerce arena is massively saturated, prompting the need for small businesses to invest in online platforms that can help them generate and convert ecommerce leads.
The success of an e-commerce business will rely mostly on the kind of platform customers want to use. Here’s what you need to watch out for on an e-commerce platform as you shop online.
1.A relevant and competitive website design
Business owners who are new to the idea of building an online retail store might feel overwhelmed by the technicalities, and may not know where to begin. The best way to get started is to check out the websites of close competitors. What features do they showcase? What layout is used to show the products they are selling? What gimmicks can be identified? Asking the right questions should help businesses get a clear picture of what their platform should look like, allowing them to improve on what their competitors are currently doing.
2.Overall functionality and feel
In the process of drafting out a blueprint for an e-commerce platform, businesses often need an expert web developer to put their plans into motion.
Not everyone has enough knowledge about website building, so eCommerce Development Company, Ziggle Tech suggests creating a platform with an emphasis on ecommerce – Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, and Spree Commerce are just some examples. An experienced web developer can also help with creating engaging user interfaces, optimizing the platform for mobile users, and integrating brand identity across all digital assets.
With a little help from people who know the e-commerce industry, it will be easier for businesses to roll out a platform that keeps users engaged, shortens the sales cycle, and places the brand in a better position.
3.Engaging web copy
When it comes to helping your customers consider a purchase, you need to provide adequate information about the products you are selling. Aside from using high-quality photos, you also need to write engaging product descriptions.
It looks easy, but there is a lot that goes into writing web copy that tickles a customer’s curiosity and provides the right kind of messaging to help customers make informed decisions, whether they are hunting for the best smartphone deals or for noise-canceling helmets.
You know if an e-commerce business is legitimate if it gives you relevant information about the products you want to purchase. It also pays to know if it goes as far as reviewing the products they are selling, allowing you time to make an informed choice.
4.Responsive customer service
Potential customers are bound to convert if they are treated right. By that, businesses will need to provide them the means to ask questions and give immediate answers to these questions.
Effective customer service goes a long way, so it’s important to include a contact page that allows customers to call or email directly. Fill forms can also be used to provide customers with immediate means to provide valuable feedback about their experiences. Some businesses go as far as adding a chat support feature in case customers have short and urgent questions about certain products or offers, or if they have problems during the checkout phase.
If you are a business owner, you don’t want to overlook this critical component of your ecommerce platform, so be sure to have experienced customer service representatives to handle every inquiry, complaint, or request that comes your way.
5.A simplified checkout process
It’s incredibly important to provide an easy and streamlined checkout process without compromising data security. Businesses wouldn’t want to keep their customers waiting or have them go through several steps just to make a payment. Adding in extra steps only gives them a reason to bounce away from an ecommerce website and buy the items they need elsewhere.
It’s always best to reduce the amount of steps needed from the cart to checkout. Indeed, an effective e-commerce platform should limit the checkout process to three steps: giving your delivery address, choosing your payment method, and processing the payment. Going beyond these three steps would be enough reason for you not to engage further.
As an e-commerce customer, it’s important to know where to look for the products you need. Consider these tips to find the right place that gives you the ease and peace of mind as you shop online.
