We’re often asked for tips on maximising conversions for ecommerce websites. Here is our quick check-list of basic principles that all ecommerce websites need to apply (it’s amazing how many of the well established website shops do no adhere to these basic requirements).
1. Product descriptions - make sure your product copy is optimised (well written, complete and persuasive). Include links to brochures, technical specs, buying guides etc.
2. Product images - poor images do not inspire confidence so don’t use them. Use multiple images/views and consider the use of video to help sell your product.
3. User Product reviews - research shows that these work, increasing conversions on ecommerce websites by as much as 20%, so make sure you use customer feedback to help sell your product.
4. Cross-sell - take every opportunity to upsell and cross-sell by linking associated products, accessories/add-ons, ‘people who bought this, bought that’ and promotional bundles.
5. Delivery charges & Returns - make sure that these are transparent in your website shop and easily located. Don’t make customers wait until the checkout to find out the delivery charge.
6. Contact Details - make it easy for customers to get in touch and DO include a phone number. This can be the difference beteween making and losing the sale.
7. Registration - in order to reduce shopping cart abandonment, you should have a ‘proceed to checkout with registration’ or ‘fast checkout’ option.
8. Customer confidence - ensure that you display your secure SSL server certifications for customer data and payment processing on your ecommerce website.
9. Out of stock products - if an item is out of stock do not let customers begin to purchase it. Encourage repeat visits by indicating when you’ll be back in stock and show alternative products that they might like instead.
10. Marketing - review your ecommerce website to ensure it is optimised for customer recruitment via the search engines. Use email marketing to build customer loyalty and engage in social media marketing via blogs, forums and networks.
If your current ecommerce website software does not allow you to apply these fundamentals, then you should consider switching to one that does. Tiger Commerce has all the functionality you need to maximise your online sales.
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Tags: ecommerce best practice, ecommerce tips, ecommerce website, ecommerce website software, website shop
