The Impact of User Experience Design on E-commerce Website Development

The Impact of User Experience Design on E-commerce Website Development

Eye-pleasing, intuitive interaction with the website, untroubled journey through the sales funnel, and consistency of the brand 一 are the major checkpoints the customers expect from any E-store they are willing to buy from. When developing a website and planning to play big in a certain market niche, a high-performing website should always be ‘dressed well’ to attract users and engage them in active shopping.

What are the specific characteristics of user experience (UX) design, and how do they influence the overall functionality of the E-commerce store? Let’s delve into the details.

What Is a UX Design?

UX design is what the customers see and interact with when communicating with an E-commerce software solution. The UX design in E-commerce refers to the overall impression the users perceive when choosing the goods and services of a particular store. Provided the design meets or exceeds the expectations, the users are bound to return to the shop again once they require its goods. Considering the multitude of devices the customers use, a responsive and pleasing design should be implemented across all of them.

UX Design Features for E-commerce

When E-commerce is in focus, the UX design refers to particular characteristics. 

• Simple and intuitive navigation

The intuitive navigation brings comfort to the users, letting them concentrate on the choice of the goods, but not the ‘what should I do next’ operations. It is particularly important to consider the age of the target audience, as they may require improved simplicity and concise solutions.

If the user fails to find the right category or can’t make out the way the goods are categorized, they are likely to abandon the shop right after the first failed attempt. The menu should follow a hierarchic order, with the products logically categorized and subcategorized. 

Another important feature of website navigation is CTAs (call-to-action), which direct the customers through the sales funnel, helping them perform the required activities. The CAT must be well written, with not more than 1-2 phrases per page. 

• Consistent branding

Users are more likely to choose an E-commerce store that offers consistency in service quality and appearance. The potential customers require small ‘hooks for attention’ like the logo, colors, fonts, vocabulary, voice, and style of communication. Such details create a uniting image for the E-commerce store across all the devices and points of presence and create brand recognition. 

Branding elements should follow a certain philosophy and complement the overall image of the store.  

• SSL certificates

The SSL certificates, like HTTP and HTTPS, provide users with the understanding that their sensitive data is secure. It is even important to explain to the users what types of security measures are used to keep them away from cyber attacks, as it will just bring another token of appreciation to all your efforts. 

• Effective usage of images

The majority of the shoppers are visual preceptors. Thus, they need to see something before considering the purchase. However, it is important to use a smart approach when using the visual elements – only the best quality images and animations, with the number of them being enough to show all the benefits of the product. It is important to remember that the visual elements can slow down the website. Thus, it is important to work on their size, number, and, of course, relevant technical solutions. 

• Product reviews

Reviews are the main driving force of the purchase. Make sure you add the possibility to leave comments and reviews right below the products to let the shoppers share their experience of usage, which can be a valuable insight for others. 

• ‘About us’ page

Customers want to understand who they interact with to make sure the E-commerce store is a reliable partner for regular shopping. It is important to outline the main principles of work, values, and philosophy. as well as give contact details, to show the customers that they can always address the issues or share their concerns with the people who are in charge.

When ‘creating’ the story of the E-commerce store and its success, be trustworthy and sincere, as all the pinkish and sweet narrations are mainly off-putting and non-credible. 

• SEO optimization

SEO is like a magic wand that takes the website up the search list. It is responsible for attracting new traffic and, thus, more clients to the website. The SEO ‘magic wand’ works with the help of internal and internal linking, keywords and phrases, meta descriptions, tags, etc.

The UX design helps to create a comfortable environment for every user, providing them with the right tools to make the purchase and create the desire to return to the shop again.

The Functions of UX Design

• Increased Conversion Rates

When providing a top-notch user experience, the E-commerce store creates bonds of trust and credibility with its customers and builds consistent relationships. A great user experience and high-quality goods will always create high conversion rates.

• Enhanced User Engagement

When the users enjoy the interaction with the E-commerce website and its pleasing design, they are sure to spend more time and money making purchases, even when there is no specific need for it. Straightforward messages, balanced information, clear CTAs, and a consistent look 一 all the bits and pieces help to attract the user’s attention and increase retention rates. 

• Extended Market Influence

The more customers are attracted by your E-commerce website and its comfort with usage, the more extensive your influence becomes. Make sure you always review and complement the selection of goods to increase the number of target audiences and extend the market impact.

• Financial Profit

A large number of users with finalized purchases will always benefit the profitability of the business. It is important to work on intuitive design and seamless functionality right at the beginning of the website development, as it is the cornerstone of future performance. 

• Brand Development

Properly developed UX design brings consistency to the way the store functions and looks across all the points of E-commerce presence. A high level of brand recognition increases the interest of the customers and, thus, elevates the number of shoppers going through the sales funnel. 

The Bottom Line

The UX design is responsible for aesthetic and qualitative communication of the users with the website. Make sure you hire a team of professionals for E-commerce website design and development with an extensive level of knowledge and expertise, who will guide you through all the design development points and help you create the E-commerce store of the future.