Top eCommerce website design tips for boosting traffic, engagement, and conversions

We’re all scrolling through eCommerce ads and online stores every day.

I know I am.

Even if we’re not actively looking for things to buy online, we can’t help it.

All the social media channels we use now come with these convenient online shopping experiences.

Do you remember the last time you actively went to a platform like Amazon to look for something you needed?

How about the last time you clicked on an ad that got you interested in a product and eventually convinced you to make that purchase?

They make it so easy! (And for a good reason.)

Just like us, your potential customers are out there scrolling online, just waiting for the right ad or product thumbnail to convince them to make the purchase.

With all of this competition, how do you make your online store stand out?

This is where eCommerce design comes in.

You need to make designs that will get your audience interested in your offerings and convince them that you are a trustworthy supplier.

Otherwise, they might just click away and check out your competition!

Don’t worry. At Deer Designer, we’re all about staying ahead of the game.

We’ll help you know the tricks and trends to not only make your eCommerce site stand out but also draw in more excited shoppers.

Going beyond product photos: captivate your audience with your brand story

You will be surprised at how big of an impact the photos and videos you use for your site and promotions have on your audience.

Having an interesting photo or video on your ad or product page can make them stop scrolling and pay attention to what you are offering.

Go for imagery that will make people think, “What is that?” or “Is that the thing I was looking for last time?”

But capturing your audience doesn’t end there.

These images should be backed by a captivating story or message.

Think of what they see when they find your homepage or product page.

Take the outdoor apparel brand Patagonia, for example.

They consistently draw people in through social media and their website with stunning imagery of outdoor adventures.

However, they back this up with their inspirational story and environmental conservation efforts.

You are made to feel like you are not just purchasing travel and hiking gear; you are supporting a brand that promotes sustainability.

Patagonia creates a powerful narrative that resonates with its audience and reinforces its brand values.

Just like them, you can make images that tell your brand’s story and convince people to support the culture you are building.

Make your online store convenient: shop straight from social media

Since we’re already scrolling through social media, why not buy directly from there?

Social media platforms have become key channels for discovery, engagement, and now purchases.

Instead of having to click through website links, people can now make the purchase straight from their social media feed.

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook let you tag products in posts and stories so people can find and purchase them with just a few clicks.

Instead of leading users to a different site, this seamless experience leads them to your page within the website.

You can create social media posts and carousels designed to showcase your products and easily tag them for people to click and buy.

Prioritize navigation on mobile: shopping on the go made easy

Who has time to sit in front of a computer anymore?

Most people browse sites and posts on their phones instead of on desktops.

In fact, 59.8% of eCommerce spending is made through mobile devices.

This is why you should be prioritizing your site’s user experience (UX) for mobile.

Designing with a mobile-first approach ensures that the shopping experience is made easier for smaller screen layouts and touch interactions.

Almost every big retailer has a mobile version of their site with a responsive design and intuitive navigation.

This allows on-the-go shoppers to browse and purchase conveniently with just a few taps on their phones.

Improve your product page: highlight product features with augmented reality

If you haven’t heard of augmented reality (AR) yet, you’re definitely missing out.

This technology is revolutionizing the way consumers interact with products online.

It gets rid of the “I wish I could try it first” or “I wish I could tell how it would look like” feeling people get when they’re thinking of buying something online.

Furniture retailer IKEA has nailed it with their AR app, giving customers the power to visualize products in their own space.

I remember getting so mind-blown by this one!

You can easily see what an IKEA couch would look like in the corner of your room before hitting “purchase.”

Other than having product details and customer reviews to base their purchase on, people are more confident that this is the right item for them.

This also helps reduce the likelihood of returns.

The best eCommerce trick: frictionless checkout processes

We’ve all been there, ready to buy, but the checkout process is a hassle.

You might have just exited the app and thought, “I will just do it later” or “nevermind.”

For them to contemplate making that purchase and get to your checkout page, these people are really interested in your product.

You just have to make it easy for them.

The checkout process should be as frictionless as possible.

Designers can optimize the checkout flow by getting rid of redundant or unnecessary steps, reducing form fields for people to fill out, and offering guest checkout options instead of forcing a log-in.

Take a cue from eCommerce platform Amazon with their one-click ordering—it’s quick, easy, and keeps customers coming back for more.

Amazon simplifies the purchasing process with its autofill options, making it quick and convenient for customers to complete their transactions with just one click.

While you might not have the same budget as Amazon to create a custom one-click payment, there are now plugins in website builders like Shopify that help you shorten this process.

Accessibility matters: following the best practices for web accessibility

Everyone deserves a great shopping experience, regardless of their ability.

You can make sure your site is user-friendly for people of all abilities by following basic web design principles, providing alternative text for images, ensuring keyboard navigation, and optimizing for screen readers.

Here are some web design and accessibility guides that can help you:

➡️5 good web design principles and examples for your web design inspo!

➡️Designing for web accessibility: The importance of accessible color

➡️Designing for web accessibility: applying the W3C guidelines with examples

The public service broadcaster BBC demonstrates a commitment to accessibility by offering accessibility features like audio-described content, signed content, and accessibility resources on its site.

By designing with inclusivity in mind, the BBC creates a welcoming and inclusive online experience for all its viewers.

Let data lead the way: optimizing through insights

Are you regularly checking your insights and analytics?

Numbers don’t lie!

Data-driven design and optimization help us make smart choices that keep customers happy.

By analyzing metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and bounce rates, we can see areas we should optimize for the best shopping experience.

With A/B testing, you can see which changes work best for users.

Most sites constantly check their analytics and A/B test different changes to make sure they are enhancing the user experience and boosting their business growth.

Make shopping personal: tailor the experience for users

Forget one-size-fits-all!

Personalization is key nowadays.

Big e-commerce sites can do this with their advanced data-driven algorithms.

Each shopper feels like a VIP, as their feeds are tailored to what they are looking for or what they might be interested in.

It’s like having a personal shopper right in your pocket!

But if you can’t afford to have this algorithm-based feed for your e-commerce website, there are still other ways to personalize people’s shopping experiences.

Using your insights and analytics, you can find out the demographics that look at your store or click through your ads.

You can then create experiences personalized for them, such as special promotions, bundling items they find useful together, or even just using design trends that match their demographic.

When paired with targeted ads, you are already creating a personalized experience!

Embracing innovation in eCommerce design

Innovation is the name of the game when it comes to eCommerce businesses.

This is why eCommerce design trends are always changing.

Everyone is trying to stay on top and capture the attention of their customers first.

By staying on top of the latest trends, we can design immersive, engaging, and frictionless shopping experiences that delight customers and drive business results.

Even with just a few tweaks in your e-commerce design, the potential to improve your online business is endless.

With a bit of creativity and a whole lot of passion, we can create an online shopping experience that wows customers and keeps them coming back for more.

Need someone to help make your online store attractive to your customers?

Book a client-fit call with Deer Designer today!

Let’s turn your e-commerce store into something truly spectacular.

Key takeaways

• As you are competing with so many eCommerce stores trying to sell online, designing your eCommerce store to cater to customer experience matters.
• Product images and videos matter, especially when attracting your target audience and making a first impression, but your story and social proof are what convince them.
• As everyone is on social media, make it easier for customers to find what they are looking for by tagging your products and redirecting them to your online store within the site.
• Mobile-first design is important, as online shoppers are usually on their phones.
• You can highlight product features and showcase how items will look when used through AR technology.
• Make shopping online seamless through frictionless checkout.
• Make sure your UX design is accessible to everybody, despite disabilities.
• Always check your data analytics and test out new eCommerce solutions with A/B testing.
• You can target specific demographics interested in your brand by creating page designs and promotions catered to their interests.
• There are several great eCommerce websites like Amazon and IKEA that you can take design inspiration from when it comes to both site design and the eCommerce experience.