With the start of the global pandemic, online shopping is quickly evolving into the new norm. Globally, eCommerce alone generated 4.9 trillion dollars in 2021.
And there are no immediate plans to slow it down. According to a statista.com forecast, the eCommerce business is expected to grow by 50% over the next four years and reach a staggering $7.4 trillion USD by 2025. Therefore, if there was ever a good time to board the eCommerce train, it is now.
In light of this, optimizing your website is crucial if you want to give your customers the best experience possible when they shop online. Your website should be on point, on-trend, and up to date with all the latest eCommerce website features since it serves as both the online headquarters of your company and a focal point for directing your target market. Do you want to grow your online business? These are the essential components of an eCommerce website development in 2022.
Basic Features That Your Ecommerce Website Should Have
Responsive Web Design
Nowadays, customers increasingly shop online and engage with brands using their mobile devices. Customers can buy products from your eCommerce business with just a few scrolls and clicks from the comfort of their screens, so it's crucial to make sure your website is mobile-friendly and responsive for all devices.
According to recent reports, 79% of smartphone users made online purchases using their mobile devices in the last six months. In addition, many B2B brands have adopted mobile websites as a result of the global pandemic, with 80% of B2B buyers now using a mobile device to make purchases. In recent years, there has also been an increase in the creation of apps with distinctive branding, which has paved the way for improving the online customer journey.
How can your website be made mobile-friendly? Make sure the eCommerce web design is responsive, meaning it can adjust to different screen sizes, layouts, and resolutions. You should also perform a mobile-friendly test to ensure the site looks great on all mobile devices.
To make your website more responsive, you can also use drag-and-drop website builders like Elemento and even download eCommerce website templates.
Top-notch Security Features
The risk of hacking and security lapses increases as technology advances. Security features are thus yet another requirement for your eCommerce website. Utilizing a VPN is one of the best ways to secure data and information online (a virtual private network).
According to a Verizon report, the average cost of data breaches in 2021 was $4.24 million USD, which was the highest amount in 17 years. It confirms the findings from the previous year, when the FBI's Internet Crime Center (IC3) received a record-breaking 791,790 complaints about cybercrime, resulting in $4.2 billion USD in losses for victims.
It can be beneficial to upgrade your website with the following security features to keep it secure and protected and protect the information of your customers:
Your Shopping Cart and Checkout Buttons: Most Needed
The main objective of an eCommerce website is to increase sales, and having a well-optimized shopping cart feature will only help you achieve this. Customers demand features like quick service, easy checkout, reliable payment options, and even the ability to preview their orders before making a purchase when it comes to optimizing their shopping cart.
During the customer journey, obstacles or challenges that your customers face can have a significant impact on their decision to purchase from your company. The average cart abandonment rate as a result of these barriers, according to Baymard, was 69.82%, while the abandonment rates for the retail, fashion and travel sectors were 81%.
Give the Range for Payment
There should be a variety of ways to make payments on your eCommerce website. Although you should be aware of the specific payment methods your target market favors, offering additional choices can improve the customer experience.
Among the most popular emerging alternative payment methods are cryptocurrencies, digital wallets, and mobile payments like Venmo. In fact, according to a Five 2021 consumer survey, 6 out of 10 millennials and Gen Z customers want their bank to hold cryptocurrencies. The appeal of these new payment options often stems from the customer's desire to protect their data, even though you can still offer conventional payment methods like a bank transfer and credit card.
Shipping and Return Information in Your Ecommerce
Global shipping and supply chains underwent a significant change as a result of the pandemic, which also affected consumer behavior. Brands need to manage customers' expectations in order to adapt.
Shopify recently conducted research that revealed two consumer behaviors that eCommerce business owners need to be aware of. First off, 75% of customers claim that free shipping has a significant impact on their choice to check out an item. While 68% of consumers would rather have a clear understanding of shipping costs before making a purchase.
It's crucial to make clear on your eCommerce website whether shipping is free or paid in order to build trust and establish expectations. Failure to do so might result in shopping cart abandonment or even customers switching to a rival brand.
Informing customers of your return policy is another thing you should take into account on your checkout page. This is due to the fact that 92% of customers will repurchase if the return process is simple.
Customers will return if you provide them with an excellent user experience. This helps to improve customer relationships in addition to lowering losses.
Here are some best practices to address these alterations in consumer behavior:
- Indicate whether there is still stock and that the item is available.
- Customers should be made aware of your return policy and estimated delivery dates.
- Provide options for real-time customer service to handle inquiries.
- Display both your return policy and your shipping policy.
Conclusion
Your business can benefit significantly from an optimized eCommerce website. The success of your eCommerce business could be made or broken by this element, even though it only makes up one of your marketing tools and strategies. Take advantage of eCommerce! Take your brand to the next level by optimizing your eCommerce website right away.
