5 super ways to enrich user experience on your ecommerce siteThis is a featured page


  1. Provide adequate product information
One of the best ways to get customers to really appreciate and like your site is to have sufficient information regarding each product online. Unlike offline modes of purchase where the buyer has ample choice to browse and ‘test’ the product before purchase, with a website there is no way of understanding the product features. Therefore to make the experience better for customers online, you need to include all product specifications, features, stock availability, options regarding the product, as well as the overall cost. In addition to the textual information you also need to have superior product images preferably 3 dimensional.
  1. Make the search box accessible
Most users online prefer to use the search box right away instead of browsing through scores of products on your site. Never make the mistake of keeping the search box hidden from view. Although there is no plausible reason why any ecommerce site would do that – surprisingly many sites do it! While the search box ideally should be placed on the top right hand corner (going by the user behavior patterns online, the top right hand corner is the most accessed portion on a site). Try and use robust backend databases to enable easy retrieval of information to the front end.
  1. Disclose shipping costs
It is surprising but many ecommerce sites charge exorbitant amounts as far as shipping costs are concerned. This is a real downer for most customers who are used to receiving free shipping for most items. By overpricing shipping costs you are essentially pushing customers away from your website. Many times it may so happen that your customer has placed an order in bulk only to leave the site just before the sale. Why? Shipping charges are the culprit again! If you really have to charge for shipping make sure to disclose it upfront rather than have the customer go through the entire purchase process and then abandon it later!
  1. Address cultural/global issues
Its funny how many ecommerce websites make this fundamental mistake. They lay claims to cater to global customers but still indirectly discourage shopping from other countries. Silly reasons like address formats, or ignoring cultural aspects etc. can damage any brand for good, especially if you consider the global context of things. Fundamental things like language compatibility or providing internationalization into the website are missing in such websites.
  1. Categorize products
When you have categories of your products and services you help your customers understand your offerings much better. It also helps customers perceive your ecommerce website as being more organized and structured. While each category needs to describe the various products you are offering, it also needs to be concise as far as information is concerned. Too much information can make the structure look lopsided while too little makes you look suspicious.


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amycool2 		Latest page update: made by amycool2 , Dec 12 2007, 7:17 AM EST (about this update About This Update amycool2 Edited by amycool2


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