eCommerce Web Design Questions Answered

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Websites are compilations of interconnected web pages, pictures, text, videos, and any other online accessible content contained under a single URL (Uniform Resource Locator). Websites are visited and downloaded utilizing (HTTP) Hypertext Transfer Protocol. For websites that require privacy and secure information exchanges, HTTP is also available in an encrypted, secure form labeled HTTPS. Visitors access websites through the use of their browser. A browser reads and displays text and markup in a visual format on the website visitor’s monitor.

There are several different types of websites online; however, all websites can be lumped into two categories. There are websites for personal use, and there are websites for business use. Personal use websites do not require the same adherence to web design conventions, because the bulk of a personal website’s targeted website traffic consists of people close to the owner of the website. Pretty much anything goes, when it comes to the design of a website built for personal use.

Business or eCommerce websites should adhere to a set of web design rules. The main point or goal of an eCommerce website is to sell products and/or services. Always keep this goal in mind, when designing an eCommerce website, so you do not lose focus and begin throwing in personal elements that distract from the overall mission of the eCommerce website.

An eCommerce website has a very specific purpose … to sell a product and/or service. The home page of your website is built to greet incoming internet traffic. The home page also should reassure visitors that the website sells what they are looking for, and that they can purchase the products in a safe, secure environment. The contact page of a website is built to demonstrate customer support options and legitimize your business. The about page contains information about your business or company to help reassure visitors that there are real people behind the online business, who are there to take care of them. Other informational pages on a website exist to assist the customer with purchasing. The product pages of your website are the main focal point of the website. The product pages represent the products on the shelves in a traditional store. These pages serve one purpose: to allow customer to find the products and services they are looking for and buy them.

Website Technical Questions

Does each page load quickly?Does everything function properly? – People will leave if the website does not work properly.Are there broken images?Are there any links on your site that lead to a page that does not exist?Does the ordering process function properly?Do the payment and shipping options work correctly?Did you run spell check?Is the header the same and in the same place on every page?Is the navigation the same and in the same place on every page?Do you have a call to action?Is your text/ad copy succinct & direct? Does it lead to action? Is it focused toward your target audience?Are your images optimized for the web? Do they help or hurt the website?

Website Marketing Questions

Answer all of the question words (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How):

WHO are you?WHO is your company?WHAT do you sell?HOW MUCH do the products cost?WHY should someone purchase the product?WHY should someone purchase the product from your website?WHY should someone purchase the product now?HOW do customers obtain the product?HOW do customers order?WHERE is your business located?WHEN do you conduct business?

Some General Rules

15 Second Rule – The 15 second rule states that a visitor to your site should be able to determine what you sell and why they should purchase from you within the first 15 seconds of landing on your page.3-Click Rule – This rule states that a visitor should be able to find and purchase what they came to your site looking for within 3 clicks.Multiple Ways to Navigate the Site – Since visitors to your site don’t always search in the same way, it is important that you design your site to provide as many different ways to search as possible.

eCommerce websites should adhere to a set of web design rules. The main point or goal of an eCommerce website is to sell products and/or services. Always keep this goal in mind, answer these questions, and follow the above guidelines, when designing an eCommerce website.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 at 11:12 AM and is filed under eCommerce, Web Design. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.