The evolution of eCommerce is a never-ending process. Your web store changes—or, at least, it should—every time Google changes its algorithms, or a new best business practice makes its way into the commerce corner of the Internet. Smart online business owners understand how critical it is to remain up-to-date with the latest eCommerce site tools and upgrades.
Shoppers flock to web stores that are easy to navigate, search, and understand. If yours isn’t doing it for them, they’ll happily take their money somewhere else. Don’t cheat yourself out of a prosperous business just because you haven’t bothered with the latest CRO updates.
Ecommerce Site Tools to help you stay updated
1. Introduce Updated Search Functions
Have you navigated your web store lately? How’s the search box? Potential customer should be able to easily find and use your site’s internal search feature. Don’t tuck the icon in a place where it’s not visible. It’s also your responsibility to ensure that each search turns up relevant information. Customers should have the ability to look up keywords, product descriptions, brand names, and SKU numbers—with those terms pulling up the appropriate results.
The search box isn’t the only method that shoppers use to locate the items they want. They also utilize filters to narrow down their results as they browse. For example, on an eCommerce site devoted to clothing, a shopper interesting in blouses and tops might only want to see button-down shirts or tank tops. Filters are helpful, but you can’t have too many. Whether you introduce filters or retool what you have in place, streamline the process. You don’t need sub-categories for every little thing. Too many choices confuse the customers.
Consider introducing a live chat function, as well. Confused or lost customers can have instant access to helpful information. It’s like having a store associate in an online shop. Place the chat box in the corner of the site, and give customers the option of minimizing it.
2. Create an Irresistible Shopping Cart
Your shopping cart is one of your best weapons. It goes without saying that if you don’t have one already, then a clear cart is one of the eCommerce site tools you need—immediately. You can upgrade your current cart, as well. How?
Never make it easy for the customer to walk away without buying anything. Take a page from Amazon’s playbook. Not only does the epic shop send email notices to users who leave items in their queue without purchasing them, but they frequently offer special deals, as well. Several popular commerce apps do the same thing, although they send push notifications along with emails. There’s nothing wrong with enticing customers to come back and complete their purchase. The key is to make it difficult to abandon their order without completing it.
On the subject of checking out, you can increase your conversion rates by giving customers several opportunities to put items in their cart. Including an ‘add to cart’ or ‘buy it now’ option on individual product places does more than add convenience. It’s also tempting.
3. Increase Visual Appeal
Conversion rate optimization depends on grabbing the attention of the customers. Go through your web store and observe the photos on the product pages. Better yet, get a third party to do it for you. An unbiased opinion reveals the flaws in your layout.
The best product photos are high quality and original. You may even consider inviting converted customers to share pictures that show them using their merchandise or product. That creates a connection with potential shoppers who rely on reviews and testimonials. However, amateur photos should never be the sole focus on your product pages.
Once customers reach these pages, they’re right on the cusp of converting into paying customers. Tempt them with colorful, sharp photographs. Highlight your products from all angles. Demonstration videos and tutorials are helpful eCommerce site tools as well.
4. Use a Hierarchy to Draw the Eye
The way you design your product pages is significant. The eyes are automatically drawn to organization, and arranging text from smallest to largest can guide customers to the most pertinent information. Choose fonts, photos, and other graphic items based on what you want to relay to your customers.
Essential elements are always the largest. Start with a bold product name or call-to-action. The next most significant item is ideally the ‘add to cart’ button, with the price of the object placed near it in a smaller font. Product descriptions fall below that in a small- or standard-size font.
You can play around with the design and style. Just remember that the most critical points need to command attention. This is another reason to use high-quality photographs that show off your product.
5. Invite Customer Reviews
A shopper has to feel a connection to a place to keep returning and spending money. One way to encourage confidence is to invite feedback and opinions. The ability to review products, customer service, and shopping experience is one of the most reliable eCommerce site tools. You will have to deal with bad reviews—everyone does—but that also gives you the opportunity to locate mistakes, fix problems, and make amends.
Including customer reviews has an added benefit. Today’s shoppers rely on feedback from other people. They want to know the opinions of shoppers just like them who have experience with a product they want to buy.
