The E-Commerce Blog

You’ve tested your website, you’ve visited it a few times, you’ve gotten some feedback on it, and you have a bit of data about your visitors.

You might want to make some changes. Here are the top ten issues in website design and usability.

Think about these things in relation to your website and consider what you might want to do to perfect your site.

1. The First Glance

In general, people look at the top left corner of your website first. You should have your essential information there: what your offerings are and how

your potential customers can get it. Some visitors are at your site only long enough to confirm that you sell what they want, and some are ready to buy. All

visitors need to be able to tell what you do right away. Don’t hide behind a splash page or make people wait while something loads – many won’t take
the time.

2. Navigation

When your customers want and need more information, they’ll stay and look for it. Make sure they can find it easily. Put your navigation in the usual

places, and make it very obvious what your visitors need to click in order to find each section. Don’t have more than 5-7 choices in your main
navigation and keep it consistent on every page. Let your creativity and uniqueness show in some other way – follow the rules when it comes to

navigation.

3. Contact Information

Can customers (and search engines) find you when they need you? Your contact information must be clear and accurate. It must also be easy to find.

Visitors will visit your website several times before they choose to go for your services or purchase. Don’t make it hard for them to contact you when

they’re ready.

4. Call To Action

What do you want your visitors to do? It should be easy to find out how to complete an order through your website or get more information. Regardless of

the content of the page make sure that you include a clear call to action. Make it easy for visitors to purchase or request information from
you. Just be sure to make it very clear.

5. Above the Fold Focus

Many visitors won’t scroll; most won’t scroll unless you have already convinced them that it’s worth their while to
do so. Make sure important aspects are above fold. The unimportant things – why are they on your page? This is especially important on the home page.

Visitors who’ve reached your FAQs page or your blog are probably interested enough to spend some time reading.

6. Inviting Content

To develop relationships with your clients, you need to have them visit more than once. In fact, most people won’t commit themselves the first time they

come to your website. You need to offer them something of value so they’ll return. Do you have a blog, or frequently-updated featured products?
Have you got any useful information that you could offer your customers?

7. Well-Organized Pages

Don’t make your visitors search. Always ensure that your page layout is clear, concise and gives the visitor exactly what they want without having to

search for it. Try to put yourself in your customer’s position and use what you learn from testing. Decide what you want to say and plan its
organization before you write, so you can be sure to have coherent paragraphs.

8. Visual Appeal

While the content on your page is the most important thing, an attractive page will be more enjoyable and appealing for
visitors. Choose colours that work well together, leave some open space so it’s not too busy, and make sure you have everything lined up nicely. Even if you

have not got artistic skills you can make a good impression – and you should.

9. Sincerity and Trustworthiness

The internet is all about trust. If you can ensure that your website is trustworthy, people will be more likely to complete an order. What’s more, the

search engines also base your rankings on how trustworthy they think your page is. Don’t undermine your future success by trying to trick the search engines

or mislead your visitors.

10. A Polished Finish

Do your links work? Make sure you check your grammar, spelling and layout are correct? Is all the information up to date and accurate? Your visitors would

prefer to shop in a well kept and clean shop in the high street. They would prefer to purchase in a clean and well kept website too. They’ll have less faith

in you if you have errors on your website.

Is your website perfect? Maybe not. We’ll be providing more information on all of these points as we go along, and your site will become better and better

as you follow our suggestions and learn more.

About the author
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