Important Elements of Successful e-Commerce Sites
Three elements I think are important in creating a successful e-commerce site are a clean interface, meaningful recommendations, and simple, secure checkouts. UltiMesh understands that, like all Web sites, e-commerce sites need a clean, intuitive user interface. They also should drive sales with meaningful, demographically backed product recommendations. Finally, checkout must be painless to even the most casual user or sales could be lost.
Interface
Many online shoppers are not very computer savvy, so clean interfaces - like the ones UltiMesh designs - that make sense to the majority of users are extremely effective. There is no need to load a page full of options, banners, and other items. I'm sure you've seen sites like that all over the place, so you know that kind of stuff only serves to confuse most people. Users should be able to quickly search for, find and buy what they are looking for – or they might go somewhere else.
Recommendations
Shopping sites that make targeted, meaningful sales recommendations have proven to be very successful. Many sites use demographic databases to compare shopper attributes and make suggestions for additional purchases. I believe this feature is a must for online shopping sites in today’s market.
Checkout
If checkout is difficult some users will give up and shop somewhere else. Users do not like filling out extensive Web forms to make a purchase. They just want to give you their card and go – like they do in a “real” store. I think it is important for e-commerce sites to emulate the speed and convenience of offline credit/debit card shopping. Additionally, sites should make it known to users that all transactions are safe and secure. Many users will end transactions if they are not convinced their personal data is secure.
A Good Example - Amazon.com