The 10 Compulsory Features For E-Commerce Sites

Functionality and design are some of the top features of an e-Commerce website. With the advent of technology and individuals belonging to every demographic becoming increasingly glued to their electronic gadgets, e-Commerce no longer targets a niche audience. It has become an all encompassing phenomenon impacting all and sundry. From apparel to kitchen tools, it indeed is quite a task to look for products that are not available on an online marketplace.

Having a brick and mortar retail store is no longer enough for your business. An on trend and exclusive e-Commerce website to display your products to a vast audience has now become a necessity that must be adhered to to soar in the already saturated and competitive market. The success of a website relies on quite a lot of aspects. Simply displaying hundreds of novel products and promising incomparable services are not going to cut it. To reiterate, functionality or the ease through which users can navigate throughout the site is mandatory and assures success. Administrative features of the website as well as the necessary tools to run them efficiently are key for the entrepreneurial aspect of these websites.

Compulsory Features E-Commerce Sites

A search engine optimised website along with the ability to manage vast amounts of content seamlessly and proper promotional techniques are sure shot ways to take the website forward. Listed below are some of the essentials that eCommerce websites must have in their arsenal:

Related Searches

The human brain is designed to be inquisitive. Being a eCommerce website developer, you must make sure that this is put into effective use and buyers are presented with even more options for purchase based on their line of interest. The tactic is one of the most popular ones that make online shopping such an addictive activity for the users. Offering them the opportunity to choose between trousers and shoes when they have looked shirts up, for instance would instantly make them fuel the urge to complete the look.

Wishlists

They are a common element in almost all the eCommerce sites. Wishlists are the sections in the site where users save their desirable items for later. An option to “wishlist” items should be integrated with the display of every product making it easier for users to save them instantly. Wishlists are maintained to have an overview of the items before adding them to the shopping cart. Browse, save and buy is usually the pattern that is followed. The feature that enables users to keep multiple lists for the myriad categories, thus helps in increasing sales by allowing to zero in on the items for purchase as it also shows the fluctuations in the product price letting users decide on the chosen items.

Secure Payment Gateways

Web designing companies are equipped with skilled professionals who integrate payment gateways on eCommerce sites that are embedded with impenetrable codes. Payment gateways, as obvious a feature as they are need to be extremely secure as visitors share their banking details with the site during checkout. A slight manhandling of data can result in a severe loss within the company leading to dire consequences. Secure firewalls and SSL certificates are thus a must for these sites.

Visibility Of The Latest Updates

The attention span of an average user is quite limited. The display of the latest products, exclusive deals and limited offers must always be clearly enunciated on the homepage itself. The launch of new products would go unnoticed if they are stationed within the stream of existing products. Filing them under the “new” or “upcoming” category will inevitably generate more hits thus leading to greater sales.

Frequently Asked Questions

A feature that is not a priority for many an e-Commerce site, the FAQ section is crucial to answer some of the post pertinent questions regarding shipping, detailed summary of the products, the packaging of the products, how long it takes to deliver, the option available if the delivery does not go through and much more. Having the burning questions and doubts answered is a way to assure customers that they are in safe hands and that untoward occurrences will be taken care of.

Detailed Shipping Information

Shipping information must be clearly mentioned along with the shipping and delivery fees (if any). The extent of locations where a “cash on delivery” option is available and also the hike in shipping rates if it exceeds beyond the listed locations must be made clear. You don’t want to let your customers reach checkout only to backtrack at the last second due to the exorbitant shipping rates.

User Generated Reviews

One of the most frequent activities of the user is to glance through the product reviews while browsing through the site. User reviews are a great way to ensure sales as these more often than once sways the new users positively towards the particular products resulting in a sale. Asking the customers to rate the products, the service and also urge them to post pictures of the products post delivery is also essential to generate future sales.

Return Policy

The purchase of the products should not be the end of the deal. eCommerce sites must have a feature that enables users to return the items that no longer seem suitable after having them delivered. Be it an incorrect size, an improper colour, items damaged due to manhandling during the shipping procedure or when an incorrect item is delivered, the availability of a hassle free return policy or even try and buy options for apparel elevates the overall shopping experience.

Special Offers and Find-In-Stores

Listing the special offers on the homepage itself lures customers into buying in excess. Lucrative deals, attractive coupons that can be applied after a target shopping cart value has been reached and festive offers are a huge draw for customers.

The find-in-store is another feature that lets shoppers have their needs granted instantly. Stores that have an online as well as a physical store can avail this feature as it lets users have the products they desire almost immediately after visiting the local store. Such an effective feature makes certain that customers do not discard your site immediately when a product is not in stock but that the transaction continues through the physical store.

Link To Social Media

Links with popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram not only help in self promotion but offers the eCommerce site a wide range of exposure. It has been observed that around 20% of online sales occur only after surfing the social media sites. A responsive website design thus comes in handy as it provides a seamless access over every possible device. Customers are always alerted of the newest options and the activeness of the online community help sky rocket sales. Social media links has to be one of the most powerful tools for eCommerce websites in the present age.

Careful thoughts and considerations must go into the making of an eCommerce site before taking the plunge into this world of online branding. Enlist the services of eCommerce web designing companies of repute to reward yourself with a perfectly functioning site that offer a complete experience.

1 Comment

  • Eulalia / October 4, 2017 at 3:00 pm

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