50 Must-Have Features on Your E-Commerce Website
E-commerce websites are a dime a dozen these days, with an estimated 12 to 24 million e-commerce websites across the globe. However, less than 1 million of e-commerce websites sell more than $1000 every year.
You can spend countless hours building a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing e-commerce website, but if you don’t implement the right features, it can be challenging to reach your business goals. There are a lot of options out there, with website builders such as Wordpress and Squarespace offering hundreds of elements for you to consider.
In this article, we’ll be taking you through some of our must-have features for e-commerce websites.
Security
At the heart of every good e-commerce website sits effective, trustworthy security features which keep both you and your customers safe. Implement SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates to encrypt data transmission, enable secure payment gateways, and utilise SSL protocols. Regularly update your website's software and plugins, use strong passwords, and conduct vulnerability assessments to protect against potential cyber threats.
Top-level https domain
Site backup
SSL certificates
Strong passwords
Secure, integrated payment gateways
Navigation
Intuitive navigation is key to providing a seamless user experience, minimising frustration and maximising conversion. Incorporate a clear and organised menu structure, allowing customers to effortlessly find products and browse different categories. Implement filters, sorting options, and search functionality to assist users in narrowing down their choices quickly.
User-friendly navigation
Footer navigation
Site search
Breadcrumb navigation
Product filtering and sorting
Conversion
Intuitive navigation alone is not enough to fully drive conversions. Focus on optimising your website's design for conversions by using compelling product images, clear and concise product descriptions, prominent call-to-action buttons, and user-friendly product recommendation features. Implementing customer reviews and ratings can also boost trust and increase conversions.
Clear USPs (Unique Selling Points)
Loyalty scheme
Risk reducers such as free shipping and free returns
Featured products including best selling, new arrivals
Call-to-action buttons
Newsletter signup
Customer ratings and reviews
Products
Effective product presentation is crucial to engage customers and increase sales. Use high-quality images and videos, allowing customers to zoom in and view products from different angles. Provide detailed product descriptions, specifications, sizing charts, and other relevant information to assist buyers in making informed decisions.
Detailed product descriptions
Product reviews
Product prices including clear deals
Shipping information
Colour variation viewer
Social share buttons
Add to wishlist button
Add to cart button
Personalisation
To help you retarget previous customers or website visitors who haven’t purchased from you yet, create a personalised shopping experience that caters to individual customer preferences. Utilise customer data and implement algorithms to provide personalised product recommendations, tailored promotions, and personalised search results based on past purchases, browsing history, and demographics. Translation options can drive conversions in non-English speaking markets whilst options such as customer logins and store finders can further improve your e-commerce website's user experience.
Customer login
Customer wishlist
Store finder
Translation options
Product retargeting (recommended for you)
Check-out
Simplify the checkout process to minimise cart abandonment. Implement a one-page checkout with a progress indicator, offering multiple payment options, guest checkout, and the ability to save customer information for future purchases. Ensure a seamless mobile checkout experience, as an increasing number of customers are shopping on their smartphones.
Multiple pay options
Multiple shipping methods
Promo codes
View and edit shopping cart
Final price including discounts and shipping
Customer service
Provide outstanding customer service to build trust and loyalty. Incorporate live chat support, an FAQ section, and a customer support ticketing system to address customer queries and concerns promptly. Enable customers to track their orders, receive notifications, and easily initiate returns or exchanges. Additionally, leverage social media channels to engage with customers and address their feedback.
24/7 customer service
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping information and returns policy
Order tracking
Back-end
A robust back-end management system is vital for seamless website operations. Use an e-commerce platform or content management system (CMS) that offers comprehensive inventory management, order fulfilment, and tracking capabilities. Integrate with shipping providers, manage customer data securely, and generate insightful analytics to make informed business decisions.
Responsive design
Reporting tools
Content Management System (CMS) for inventory and order management
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for all customer interactions
Building a successful e-commerce website requires incorporating several essential features to enhance security, navigation, conversion rates, product presentation, personalization, checkout process, customer service, and back-end management. By prioritising these must-have features, you can create an engaging and user-friendly online shopping experience, boosting customer satisfaction and driving business growth in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Build a successful e-commerce website with UNBXD
Having worked with top e-commerce retailers such as Pukka Pads and Biotiful Dairy on their ecommerce platforms, UNBXD understands the importance of keeping your business ahead of the game with user-friendly, impactful ecommerce platforms designed to maximise your sales. We’re experienced in developing effective websites with simple checkout processes, speedy loading times, seamless payment integrations and retargeting advert and email campaigns.