In 1994 ecommerce began when Jeff Bezos started Amazon.com out of his own garage. Business of all shapes and sizes started expanding online. There are approximately 8 million consumers worldwide that actively make purchases from online stores (nearly one tenth of our population). Well known ecommerce sites are Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Best Buy etc.
There are many web stores present on the web. Business websites can’t use the same features of ecommerce sites. For effective marketing and selling goods or services online, you will need certain features integrated in your ecommerce websites. These features make your website easy to accessible and user-friendly. If you fail to provide a user friendly website, users may switch to other sites. Here are some important features that you should not miss in your ecommerce website.
Search-engine friendly
You should have control over title tags, Meta descriptions and keywords so that you can optimize your website according to the search engines. Implement the most suitable and target keywords in your URL based on your products and category names.
Search Box
Search box placed at well position will allow your customer to quickly search for the different products. Many ecommerce websites overlook the importance of search box. But don’t forget to add a search box in your website, so that customers can easily search specific products in your website.
PCI compliance and security
For any ecommerce website, you need to have online payments options.
Payment Card Industry (PCI) is a set of security standards created by major credit card companies to protect their customer from thefts. Any company that accepts and processes credit card information should have PCI compliant. Failure to comply with PCI standards can put you in big trouble. Find a suitable provider who can host your site in a PCI mode.
Up-selling and cross-selling
Up-selling is the practice of offering customers premium value of products. Cross selling refers to the practice of promoting other items related to that product. Both methods help in encouraging the customers to spend more which in result boost your sales. Any suitable shopping cart technology can offer you these techniques with simple set up.
Product review feature
A 2009 study from The Nielsen Company found that some 70 percent of respondents trusted “consumer opinions posted online.” Good reviews can help you in making new customers. Product reviews are effective marketing tool. Find an ecommerce solution that helps the customer to post review of your products.
Layered and faceted navigation
Use layered and faceted navigation that makes the shopping easy for the customers. It is easy to find what customers are looking for on your ecommerce website. Have clear categories in your site and make them easy to accessible. In shopping cart this feature should be data driven and programmatic. Navigation plays an important role in selling of your products.
Zoom feature
Provide options to zoom in images of your products. It is the plus point for your website, as it allows customers to see the minute details of your products. Zoom in feature enhances your product details. Make sure you use all high quality and attractive images in your website
Return policy
Good return policy helps in winning the hearts of customers. If something goes wrong and customers want to return the product, return policy will help them. Good return policy also helps in building good relations with customers. Clearly add terms and conditions of your return policy in your website. You should also provide your contact details, so that they can contact you in case of any doubt.
Customer login and registration
Provide customer login and registration form in your ecommerce website. This will help you to keep an account of your customers, what they are buying and what they like. You can also send information about your current events or sale information to your customer profile. With customer registration and login you can create a database about your regular customers and can send them regular updates about your products, services, events, offers and discounts.
Social media presence
Let your customers know about your social media presence. Add your social media buttons in your website. Good social media presence will boost your brand and will help you in making your unique identity. Social network also helps in lead generation. On social media profiles customers can find the reviews about your business before purchasing a product.
Above points will help you in creating user friendly website. It will also help in making your brand identity in your niche market. Offering high quality products at affordable prices is not enough, your ecommerce website should be easy to navigate and accessible.
We at Galaxy Weblinks offer website development services including ecommerce and shopping websites. We develop robust ecommerce sites that help you grow your online business. For more details please visit us at http://blog.galaxyweblinks.com/e-commerce/best-ecommerce-website-features/
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