We are all aware that, after Covid-19, the eCommerce industry is booming more than ever before because individuals are banned from visiting physical stores and purchasing things. Online shopping is presently the most popular trend, and every customer seeks a better shopping experience while purchasing from any eCommerce online site.
It isn’t easy to build a profitable eCommerce business. You must be distinct in every other manner, including infrastructure, functionality, an appealing front-end, advanced features, pre-and post-sales services, and so on.
It’s all about features, functionality, and the appearance and feel of your website when it comes to designing eCommerce websites. But what constitutes a strong eCommerce website, and which online website features are critical to your success?
In this blog, we’ll go over 15 essential features of ecommerce as well as the qualities of a good eCommerce website.
Let’s go and explore!!
1. User-Friendly Navigation
The key to assisting customers in rapidly finding the things they require is to provide a user-friendly navigation system.
Products should be sorted properly, with the most popular categories listed first.
Sephora understands how customers prefer to shop.
Some people look for things by brand, while others look for products by category. Their navigation bar reflects this arrangement, with quick links to low-cost and sale items.
2. Product Review
It’s one of the product marketing strategies that you can quickly integrate into your website and make available to your customers. It increases your trustworthiness and makes your website more visually appealing. Customer trust is also increased by posting reviews on websites. You may even examine and moderate reviews before they are published.
Buyers always check reviews; around 92% of shoppers read reviews before purchasing any product. To gain the trust of customers, your website must have both positive and negative evaluations. It will appear more authentic and credible. Having solely favorable feedback conveys the sense that it is an insider’s job.
Amazon allows customers to rate and review products, with reviews appearing below product descriptions.
Also read: New standards are to be set to close off fake reviews in ecommerce by the Indian government
3. Powerful Search
Customers today are crucial, and they are too busy to sift through the site directory to get what they are looking for. A search box is a must-have feature for online shopping sites with predictive search functionality, allowing users to effortlessly traverse your website when they are having problems finding the products and items they are looking for.
4. Recommended Products
Customization and curated shopping experiences are among the most popular trends in the eCommerce industry, and there is no doubt that eCommerce behemoths like Myntra, Amazon, Flipkart, and others have already nailed it by displaying “Recommended Products” or “Frequently Bought” products to assist buyers in locating suggested or complementary products.
This feature will not only help you engage more people, but it will also raise the average order size and deliver a pleasant shopping experience to your customers, resulting in future return customers.
The Recommended Products functionality not only helps store owners sell more, but it also shows your customers that you understand their needs and want to provide a better shopping experience for them.
5. Chatbot
Do you know what the advantages of a chatbot in e-commerce are? The chatbot responds quickly to client inquiries and increases customer happiness.
Online purchasing has mostly replaced traditional storefronts as well as in-person salespeople. People must still speak with a live person if they have any questions. To provide value to the company’s customer service, live chats and customer support must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
One of the must-have items on the e-commerce functionality checklist is a FAQ. It aids in improving your clients’ experiences and answering all of their questions/queries. By offering all of the detailed information on your website’s FAQ page, you assist your clients in making speedy purchasing decisions.
7. Different Payment Methods
After a consumer finds their favorite goods but is dissatisfied when they discover that they do not take the payment method that the customer prefers. Never let your customers down with things like good eCommerce.
8. Footer Navigation
Have you thought about how to best use your website’s footer to assist customers to find your greatest products?
Consider creating a list of links to the most popular items, services, and information that clients are looking for.
Ajio e-commerce sites link to social media profiles, featured products, support, and company information.
Their footer offers links to everything they want customers and search crawlers to find from any page on their website.
9. Generous Return Policy
Do you want to boost consumer trust in the products you sell? Include a generous return policy on your product page.
Place it near your add to cart button to maximize the chances that it will increase the number of purchases.
10. High-Quality Photos And Videos
We’ve all heard that pictures and videos speak louder than words. These days, it’s all about conveying the appearance and feel of items through high-resolution photos and product videos. Most customers are more inclined to purchase a product if it has a product video.
Customers like store owners who make an effort to provide high-quality photographs and videos on their website and product pages. Make sure that each product has various photos and, if possible, videos. As a result, they will aid in increasing sales, engaging more people, and displaying the brand’s identity.
11. Contact Page
Maintain an open line of communication with your customers. With a contact page, you can strengthen your relationship with them.
Consider providing them with multiple ways to contact you. They can contact you via phone, email, or a Contact Us Form if they have any questions or concerns.
Purple’s Contact Us page is sleek and clean, allowing customers to leave any comments or concerns.
12. Content
One of the most important issues for every e-commerce website is content. If you want to rank higher in SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages), make sure your website has fresh and unique content.
Avoid using duplicate meta descriptions, product descriptions, and blog articles, and include relevant keywords on each page of your website. This helps to improve the site’s quality while also increasing keyword density and avoiding plagiarism.
To know more about content optimization consider reading search engine optimization and content marketing articles.
13. Mobile App
Consider creating a mobile app for your store in addition to having a mobile-friendly store where customers can make purchases from any device.
Mobile apps help you to keep your brand in the thoughts of your clients by placing your app icon/brand emblem on the smart devices they use the most.
You don’t have to wait for consumers to open a webpage or another app to view your most recent sales messaging.
You can send those promotional updates to any consumers who have notifications enabled via your app.
Amazon offers an app that allows customers to shop for products online and have them delivered to their doorstep.
14. Loyalty Program
Do you want to keep your customers? Offering a loyalty program is one approach to encourage visitors to return to your e-commerce store. These are usually free or paid programs that provide clients with exclusive or early access to the best offers.
Many allow users to earn points for each purchase, which can be redeemed for various prizes such as a certain cash amount off your next purchase or a free product.
Ulta is one of the companies that provide a free rewards program to loyal customers. Customers can sign up at no cost and collect points that can be used for items and services both online and in-store.
15. Security
To ensure client trust, an eCommerce platform should be safe and secure. Many eCommerce vendors undervalue security, which is a bad thing. Every type of organization should prioritize security. Customer payments should be made using a secure payment gateway.
Here is a list of things you can do to make your website safe and secure:
Use HTTPS
An SSL certificate is required because it allows store owners to ensure that data transfers such as personal information, credit card information, and contact information are secure between the website and the server.
Take Backups
Regularly back up your website. You must store and manage backups of all website files so that if data is lost or your site becomes inaccessible, you will have a backup of your data.
Secure Host
It is critical to select and hire a reputable web hosting company for the security of your website. Ensure that the host you select is aware of potential risks and is committed to keeping your website secure.
Use CAPTCHA
Have you been getting bizarre spam and comments from sites that have nothing to do with your website? Then you must include a CAPTCHA, or if your website uses a form to collect user information such as login and email, you must include a CAPTCHA.
Strong Password
A robust and secure password is required. Make it as long as possible by combining letters, numbers, and special characters.
Security Plugin
If you’re utilizing a CMS platform, consider adding security plugins. They actively defend against website hacking attempts.
So, is your website secure and protected?
16. Company Logo
One of the most important aspects of ecommerce websites, A logo serves as the primary visual component of your company’s overall brand identity. As a result, it is critical that you place extra emphasis on it when designing it.
The logo of an e-commerce website has a direct impact on customers, so make sure it is unique, catchy, and connectable to the audience. Make sure the logo has the right colour scheme, graphic design, and typography to aid in brand retention.
One of the most well-known ecommerce logos is the eBay logo. It has bright letters that convey the image of a fun place to sell and shop. It has undergone numerous changes but has remained true to its original concept.
The overlapping colors were chosen to represent eBay’s sense of community.
Final Thoughts
If you own an eCommerce online store, the above-mentioned features of eCommerce website development must be included regardless of business kind. The advanced and greatest eCommerce capabilities are not restricted to the list above; you can add other features based on your business’s needs, budget, and scope.
Nonetheless, these necessary but creative elements enable you to provide excellent and unforgettable purchasing experiences to your customers. Keep your shopping website up to date to keep your clients interested. Think ahead of your competitors and keep your site updated with fresh, customized, and user-friendly features.
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Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ )
What top features are a must for any e-commerce site?
Order management
Security
Shopping cart
Logistics integration
What are the 7 parts of a website?
Header & menu
Images
Website content
CTA
Logo
Blog
Forms
What is a feature list for a website?
Domains
Logo
Call to action
Top navigation
Phone number
Breadcrumb navigation
What are the 4 characteristics of a successful e-commerce website?
Ease of Navigation
Fast load times
Accurate product descriptions
Promotes related products
What are the advantages of e-commerce?
No reach in limitations
Product and price comparison
Cost reduction
Affordable advertising and marketing