Blog

The global expansion of the internet has transformed our society’s shopping habits. According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 80% of Americans are online shoppers, and 15% of Americans make online purchases every week. E-commerce is fast becoming the preferred method of shopping, creating a heightened need for online merchant resources.

Follow These 10 Practices When Setting Up Your E-Commerce Store

Shopify is a leading, multinational e-commerce company providing businesses of all sizes a platform where they can sell their products or services. It is affordable, easy to use, and provides assistance programs via Shopify consultants and developers. It can host a variety of goods and services, ranging from physical items and digital products to memberships and classes. You do not have to be a Shopify expert to build an effective store. By following these practices, you can develop a successful e-commerce business.

1. Choose a Catchy Name

Your store name should be short, simple, and easy to remember. Avoid selecting a name that could pigeonhole your offerings. A more general name will allow you to open your store to a wider variety of products. Also, while Shopify provides you with a domain name (your-store-name.myshopify.com), consider purchasing a custom domain name to solidify your brand (your-store-name.com). It looks more professional and is easier for return customers to recall.

2. Create a Memorable Logo and Slogan

Your store logo is your company’s identity. It should be simple, distinctive, and attractive. By developing your own unique logo, you help strengthen your brand and its place in your consumers’ minds. A clever slogan further solidifies your brand’s image and the products or services you are selling and gives the customer one more way to remember your company.

3. Make Yourself Easy to Contact

When building your Shopify site, give your customer an easy way to reach you. Provide a clear call-to-action, possibly with a noticeable Contact Us button. Offer a variety of contact methods like email, social media, and live chat. Research shows that 44% of online shoppers will leave a website if it lacks contact information. If a customer has a question or needs assistance, eliminating the frustration of searching for a way to reach you can build a positive relationship from their first interaction with your store.

4. Include a Shipping/Delivery Page

People want transparency when it comes to online shipping and delivery. The average e-commerce store loses 75% of its sales due to cart abandonment because users encountered unexpected shipping costs. Provide a page that lists shipping fees, delivery times, and detailed information about how and when a customer can anticipate receiving their item. This helps set expectations early in the buying process and can lead to a positive e-commerce experience.

5. Be Personal

One element that is fundamentally missing from the online shopping experience is the face-to-face connection. On your Shopify site, share your personal story. Describe who you are, tell why you started the company, give people an idea of who they are buying from, and why they should support your company. This not only helps build trust with your consumers, but it also gives authenticity to your store and puts a personal touch on what can otherwise be an impersonal experience.

6. Make Your Store User Friendly

One of the most frustrating experiences an e-commerce shopper can encounter is a disorganized store. Your site should be intuitive and user friendly to allow your visitors to browse your products with ease. To make your page easy to navigate, consider grouping multiple items within a collection. Add payment icons and navigation links in the footer of your store where people would expect to find them.

7. Label Products Clearly

Give your products professional titles that would be easily searchable. Each item should also have a description that identifies key product features and explains what the customer can expect from their purchase. Clear labels and well-written explanations assure customers about a product, build their confidence in making their purchase, and reduce the number of online product returns.

8. Use High-Quality Images

In an e-commerce situation, consumers cannot hold an item to inspect it for themselves. Instead, they rely solely on product images. Research shows that 93% of consumers consider visual appearance to be the determining factor when considering a purchase. When building your Shopify store, use clear, high-quality images of your products. Avoid distracting background items or supplier logos that take away from the image. If possible, take your own quality product photos and ensure they reflect your products’ value and your brand’s professionalism.

9. Make Purchases Easy

The main objective of your Shopify store is to close sales, and that cannot happen if people are unable to locate purchase information in your shop. Consider offering an Add to Cart button that stands out on the page so customers can see at a glance how to begin the purchasing process. Beside each product description, provide clear payment information that includes the various methods you accept, as well as secure shopping badges that invoke confidence in the checkout process. You want your customers to have faith in your products, your service, and most importantly, the purchasing process.

10. Display Product Reviews

Boost sales by displaying product reviews from people who have made a purchase. Any item can be manipulated to look attractive and polished online, but the reality of the product posted by actual people who have experienced the item firsthand is invaluable. In a survey conducted by Podium, 93% of online shoppers say their purchasing decisions are impacted by online reviews. Through candid reports and real-life photos, reviewers influence other shoppers and sway their decision about whether or not to commit to an online purchase.

Take Your Shopify Store to the Next Level

Shopify is a convenient, intuitive solution for businesses looking for an e-commerce option. If you would like assistance with store setup and management, theme customizations, custom graphic design, and product image creation, consider working with DesignPax. We are a Shopify partner whose experts have helped dozens of clients build a successful e-commerce business on the Shopify platform.

Contact us today to learn more about our Shopify store consultation, design, and development services.