You probably know how important your website design is. It could be the difference between your visitor buying your product, or that of your competitor’s. Below are some very important web design tips for eCommerce.
When someone is doing research on a new product they will most likely start looking online. It makes sense when you think about it. Most people enjoy the research almost as much as buying the actual product. It makes them feel warm and fuzzy inside when they think about picking it up in their hands for the first time.
They can do all this without even leaving home. If your website doesn’t give them that feeling when they’re looking at the product it could put them off buying. Sometimes the design surrounding the product is as important as the product itself. So many people get this wrong. The person who designed their website never thought about it properly and it’s costing them sales. You definitely don’t want that happening to you, it’s not worth it. Let’s look at a few things that make up a good design and you can see if you’re doing them.
Design Tips For eCommerce
Use white space
People underestimate the need for lots of white space. Just because you have a certain amount of space on a page doesn’t mean you need to fill it all out with useless stuff. When someone comes face-to-face with it they are going to be confused, but more than likely their eyes will start hurting from trying to separate the garbage from the gold. Maybe your products will be hidden away and people won’t even see them.
The right contrast
Sometimes people get their content right. Everything they put out is hugely helpful and everyone loves it, only people don’t want to read it because it hurts their eyes. There is nothing worse that trying to read colored writing on a slightly darker background. Nobody is going to think they must leave and do so through your payment processor. They’ll slip out the back door into Google and will never return. Don’t think you’re some kind of genius artist. Just keep the contrast simple, like black and white.
Have great navigation
People use search engines because when they type in a phrase they should be taken to something they’re looking for. When they land on your website you have to complete the process. That means they should be able to find out easily what it is they’re looking for. You have to put yourself in the visitor’s shoes and pretend you’re them. Go through your navigation and try to see if all your products can be found in less than 30 seconds. People might not search any longer.
Ask them back
It’s obvious you won’t have everyone buying your product at the first time of asking. It doesn’t really matter why because it doesn’t change anything. All you need to know is that you must somehow tempt them to come back to your site. There’s no doubt they could possibly forget, even if you had the most helpful content in the world. So you need to get them to join up to something that’s free. Your email list, Facebook page, RSS feed or anything that will remind them you exist.
Call-to-action buttons
People are going to land on your site. They’re going to stick around because the contrast is easy on their eyes and there’s lots of white space. Then they start looking for your products and they can find them because the navigation is great. What will they do when they get to your product?
You need to have strong call-to-action’s all over the shop, because they are the things that will tip people over the edge and make them take their wallet out. They might not need to join your Facebook page. Make sure they’re strong and people might buy straight away.
The writer of this article, Jacob Shelby, is a very skilled person when it comes to computers and internet. He works for PenTech Consulting, a SEO and web designing company in CT.
People often get discouraged or take it personally, I think, when a potential customer leaves – but as you point out, they leave for a variety of reasons, and one may simply be to “think it over.” Helping a customer remember you exist, and being there when they’ve made the decision to buy, is one of the most important things you can do. We’re all busy – never has the old adage “out of sight, out of mind” been more true. But to strike the right balance between that and being annoying and obnoxiously eager – there’s the trick!
You are right Holly, but we should not get discouraged if your customer leaves without making a purchase. I don’t think anyone would make an on-line purchase on their very first visit to a new website, I know I wouldn’t. I would have to be familiar with the site before I took out my credit card. It is important to offer your visitor a reason to sign up for your newsletter or your Facebook FanPage. Thanks for commenting, Holly.
I’m a part-time web designer (as well as a blogger) and the design is honestly the most important aspect of the website. Just like with anything – cars, girlfriends, boyfriends, houses, pets, etc – people make first judgements off of looks. Colors are definitely important because using the wrong colors can be terrible. For example, you wouldn’t want to design your website in bright red and bright orange because the colors clash. I always choose warmer, darker colors because they look nicer on a computer screen.
Thanks for the tips, Larry!
Ian Eberle recently posted…Review: Using WP Subscribers To Gain More Email Marketing Leads
Hi Ian, it is always great to network with other web designers. I agree that web design is the most important aspect of your website. It doesn`t what niche you are in, everyone needs a website with a professional appearance. I really like the newsletter sign up form you have that floats in the footer. You are gonna have to share that code with me.
Thanks for connecting with me Ian!
Larry James recently posted…Client Testimonials
I agree completely, there is nothing I despise more than a cluttered website… its a big turn off
KarenYvonne recently posted…Success Carnival
Most new web design clients tell me that they want their website to be very busy, “with lots of things to click on” LOL! When I ask them why, they tell me that it will keep the visitor busy so they will stay on the site longer. LOL!
Thanks for commenting Karen.
Hi Larry
I hate cluttered sites also, I think it puts people off when there are too many things to look at, I like nice clean lines with not too many ads etc.
I like to build a relationship with the site before thinking of making a purchase like many people.
Thanks for sharing, have a great day.
Pauline
Pauline recently posted…5 Tips To Make Blogging Easy
I think most people feel the same way. I know I would not make a purchase from a site I was unsure of. Unless there was brand recognition, I would want to get to know them a little more before I give up my credit card information.
Thank you for commenting Pauline.
Larry James recently posted…9 Crimes A Web Designer Can Commit On Call to Action Pages
Hi Larry,
The worst site design is a black background. I have found some amazing content on some of these sites but my eyes can’t take it for more than a minute. I know many bloggers think the black background is cool but it turns away many visitors too. I prefer the white background with lots of white space too.
Take care.
(dofollow)
Justin recently posted…Chakra 7 System Healing With Carol Tuttle – Balance Your Chakras – Balance Your Life
The very first website I every built had a black background and yellow text. It was horrible now that I think back on it. It was a geocites site and I think the year was 1995. Luckily I don’t see too many sites with black backgrounds now a days. Thank you for commenting Justin.
Larry James recently posted…9 Crimes A Web Designer Can Commit On Call to Action Pages