eCommerce – avoid these mistakes!

A well-thought-out idea for an online store, a wide selection of products and competitive prices – what can go wrong? Unfortunately, it often happens that a seemingly perfect idea for an online business turns out to be a flop in reality. Why?

Building online stores is not an easy task. Many mistakes are made at the stage of creating a website, which can affect further success. So what should you remember and what mistakes should you avoid to make your online store the most visited?

Too wide assortment
Contrary to what online store owners assume, too large an assortment will not translate into making larger purchases. Too many products on offer distract and astonish the customer, who, because they do not know what to buy, ends up buying nothing. Additionally, the multitude of offers can cause problems with finding the item they are looking for, which can be frustrating. Statistically, a customer spends only 6 seconds looking for it and if they do not find it in that time, they will probably be discouraged from further purchases and leave the online store forever. It is essential for the success of an online store to understand this fact and select the least popular products as quickly as possible.

The need to register
There is nothing more frustrating than having to register on an online store website. Customers forced to perform a given activity will most likely immediately say no, “slam the door” and go to the competition. It is therefore worth leaving the option of choice so that they can make the decision on their own. This way, they avoid having to fill out long forms and leave their data.

Lack of a responsive website
Customers are increasingly making purchases using mobile devices. The better the website is designed, the more traffic it will generate. Creating a website that will work with all mobile devices and operating systems is essential. What is more, nearly 70% of customers are more willing to use a website that has a mobile application. Meeting the expectations and needs of customers will generate more traffic on the website and increase sales.

Lack of contact details
Customers want to feel that they will be able to contact the Customer Service Office at any time in case of any doubts. The lack of a visible phone number, email address or contact form can discourage visitors.

Errors in product descriptions and photos
Unfortunately, when shopping online, we do not have the opportunity to try on products, touch them and look at them in detail. That is why a detailed description of each of them and, of course, good quality photos are so important. For example, in a clothing store, it is necessary to describe the material used, its size, detailed dimensions and washing instructions. Additionally, photos should show the product from all sides. Let’s stay in the clothing industry – a customer wants to buy a shirt? Show them photos of the product, in which it will be visible from the front, back and side, using appropriate lighting.

Running a business in the e-commerce industry requires not only knowledge and experience, but also paying attention to the needs of customers. Seemingly trivial things can affect the future of e-shops, especially since this market is becoming increasingly competitive. There is no room for mistakes in such a situation, so you need to draw the appropriate conclusions and take action.