The first step in creating your ecommerce website is to decide what you want it to look like. This may sound obvious, but many people don’t take the time to think about exactly how they want their site to be designed. The end result is that they create a website that looks cluttered and unorganized, which can make them less likely to sell anything.
Here are a few tips on how to think about design when you’re planning for your online store.
1. Designing your ecommerce website shouldn’t feel like work
For most people, designing a website isn’t something that they do everyday — it’s more of a special occasion or event. It requires thought, care, effort, and creativity, just to name a few things. When someone thinks about this task as something that they have to “do,” it makes it much harder than it has to be. If you approach it with a positive attitude and excitement, it will be easier to get through. Just remember not to stress yourself out too much!
2. Take your time
It takes time to learn how to design a website, particularly if you’ve never done it before. Don’t rush into it; take the time to figure out what you like and don’t like. Once you know what you like, take some time to figure out how to put that together. You might need help from a friend, family member or even a professional designer.
3. Get inspiration
There are so many different ways to look at a website that it would take forever to list all of them. However, there are certain websites that stand out to me every time I visit them (and I’m sure you’ll find sites that inspire you as well). There are also plenty of resources online that offer tons of free ideas. Pinterest is a great place to start.
4. Have fun
Don’t forget to have fun while you’re designing your website! It doesn’t have to be hard work. Make sure you use colors that you love, images that you really enjoy looking at, fonts that you find interesting, and layouts that fit your aesthetic.
5. Be realistic
When you’re starting off, it’s easy to get carried away with everything you see. In reality, no one is going to buy every single item on display. Instead, focus on creating a site that sells items you believe your customers will want. Keep in mind that, if you’re selling jewelry, you probably won’t sell every piece of clothing you’ve ever seen. Instead, focus on creating the site that will attract your target customer base.
6. Think about your goals
Once you’ve decided what kind of site you want to build, go back over those goals. What do you hope to accomplish by building a website? Is your goal to make money? Are you hoping to increase brand awareness? Maybe you’d like to create a community around your product. Whatever you choose, make sure that your website achieves your ultimate goal.
7. Include a search bar
If you haven’t already figured it out, adding a search bar to your website is extremely important. People often find themselves stuck trying to figure out how to navigate a site without a search feature. Searching for keywords is very difficult while browsing, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. A basic search bar is a must-have so that you can provide visitors with a quick way to find what they’re looking for.
8. Make it mobile friendly
In today’s world, people are constantly searching for information. They might be shopping online in the car, walking down the street, or even sitting at home at night. Having a mobile website that displays properly on any smartphone is vital to making your business successful. Your customers will expect your website to look good on any device, so make sure that yours does.
9. Use social media
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, etc., are valuable tools in promoting your website. Many times, these sites can be used to generate sales. If you’re not using them yet, now is the best time to start. As you promote your products, consider including links to your website within your posts. If you have a blog, include a link to your website in each post.
10. Create a mailing list
An email address is like gold, because people love to receive emails. There are countless reasons why people might sign up for your newsletter. For example, they could be interested in learning more about your company, they could want to subscribe to your blog, or they could simply be curious about your latest products. Regardless, it’s important to keep people updated on what’s happening with your company.
11. Test it
Once you’ve created your website and made sure that it works, test it thoroughly. Make sure that your website is easy to navigate and that it loads fast. Also, make sure that it’s secure. If you’re having problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to a web developer or designer to assist you.
12. Stay consistent
One thing that can turn customers off is to see that your website changes from day to day. Keeping a website consistent helps to establish trust. While you should update your site regularly, stick to only three major updates per week. These updates can include new products, promotions, or changes to your website structure.
13. Promote your website
Promoting your website is important in order to drive traffic. One thing that works well is to include a promotional banner somewhere on your site. Another option is to ask other businesses whether they will link to your website. This way, you can drive traffic to your site by asking other companies to send their customers to your website.
14. Add security features
Your website is only as safe as the password you use to access it. Make sure that you have a strong password. Also, remember to check your privacy settings on your social media accounts. This way, you can ensure that your account isn’t vulnerable to hackers.
15. Optimize your website
Optimizing your website means making sure that it functions efficiently. This includes ensuring that your website is loading quickly, that your graphics load quickly, and that your website is optimized for mobile devices. If you’re unable to optimize your website, consider hiring a web developer or designer to assist you.
These steps are a great place to begin when thinking about how to create an ecommerce website. There are always additional things to think about, however, so be sure to explore other options as well.