An ecommerce website redesign is vital for any online business. Did you know that over 2.71 billion people shopped online in 2024? From apple juice to zebra print socks, consumers will buy anything and everything online. Ecommerce lets you reach new customers all over the country – or the world. It also allows you to grow your business while keeping overhead low.
But the competition is fierce. If you’re a small business or an independent entrepreneur, you’re competing with ecommerce titans like Amazon, Walmart, Temu, and more. That’s why you need an ecommerce website redesign with an impeccable user experience, also known as UX. If the UX on your ecommerce website is unappealing or confusing, you’ll lose customers to competitors who have better designs.
We know this might sound intimidating, but don’t worry! UX for ecommerce isn’t as challenging as it may sound. In today’s blog, we’ll guide you through the basics. Even if you don’t have any experience as a web designer, you can create a beautiful ecommerce site that’s easy to use and gets your customers clicking that all-important “Add to Cart” button.
What is UX? Know The Basics
First, let’s talk about user experience or “UX.” In a nutshell, UX refers to the overall experience you have when you interact with a design. Although UX applies to all sorts of designs, including physical objects, today the term is most commonly used to refer to digital products like websites, software, and apps.
UX is the core foundation of an ecommerce website redesign. It dictates where specific elements appear, how those elements work together, and makes sure that everything functions as seamlessly as possible. UX principles include:
- Navigation: Can users easily find the information they seek?
- Usability: Can users successfully complete a task without difficulty?
- Accessibility: Is the design easy to use for everyone, including users who may have a visual impairment or other disability?
- Rewarding: Is it satisfying to interact with the design?
Imagine you’re building a new house. Before you can start painting the walls and decorating, you need to plan a logical layout for each floor. You’ll want to make sure the bathrooms are close to the bedrooms, the dining room is next to the kitchen, and so on. This functional plan is the UX of the house.
When you’re browsing an ecommerce website, a good UX makes the shopping experience flawless. You can find the exact product or service listing that you’re looking for within seconds, view a detailed description of features or reviews, and add it to your cart with a few simple clicks. Ecommerce websites that have a strong UX let customers focus entirely on your products or services. Your website should feel almost invisible.
Good UX for an ecommerce website redesign also:
- Higher Conversion Rate: A smooth, intuitive design encourages users to complete their purchases. Average order volume (AOV) will also increase.
- Reduces Cart Abandonment: Streamlining the checkout process with good UX means that customers are less likely to abandon their carts.
- Improved Trust & Loyalty: When your ecommerce website looks and feels professional, it builds authority and helps customers see you as a valid competitor to other stores.
- Fewer Customer Support Tickets: Good UX solves problems before they happen. When your website functions flawlessly, users find what they need – so they’re less likely to call or email your support team.
- Boost Organic Traffic: Additionally, most UX principles will also boost your organic search traffic. When you have an intuitive, seamless website with few (or zero!) technical problems, search engine algorithms reward you with higher rankings.
Getting Started with UX for Ecommerce
Some of you may read this and wonder, “Do I need to learn to code?” The answer is no! Although UX for ecommerce might sound intimidating, it’s very easy to create an online store with perfect function and form. Many digital marketing agencies specialize in ecommerce websites, or you can go the DIY route with platforms like Shopify and Squarespace.
Here are six steps to building an ecommerce website with great UX design:
Step 1. Use Templates
Work smarter, not harder. If you’re not partnering with an agency to design your ecommerce site, don’t be afraid to rely on pre-made templates. Today, almost every website platform offers templates that are beautiful, functional, customizable, and affordable. These templates do the heavy lifting (the code!) so you can focus on uploading product photos, writing descriptions, and delivering the goods to your customers.
Step 2. Keep Your Navigation Simple
If you were stocking the shelves of a physical store, how would you arrange your products? You’d want everything in a clear, logical order that’s not too cluttered or complex. Your ecommerce UX should be the same. If consumers can’t find what they’re looking for – or if they feel overwhelmed with too many product categories – they may simply give up and shop elsewhere.
Let’s say you’re a clothing retailer. Your site’s primary navigation features – the menu at the header and footer – should include your “big categories” like tops, pants, and accessories. If your menu has individual links for t-shirts, tank tops, turtlenecks, shorts, capris, jeans, and chinos… frankly, that’s probably too many categories. Keep it simple.
Step 3. Take Great Product Photos
Ecommerce is a visual experience. As part of any ecommerce website redesign, make sure you have a library of professional photos to show off your products. Great product photos have the following features:
- Good lighting
- Accurate colors
- Close-ups of specific, unique features
- They show your product from multiple angles
Use neutral or white backgrounds and make sure the images are high quality, with no “pixelation” or blurriness.
Step 4. Write Clear, Concise Copy
We know you’re passionate about your store – and once your customers try your product or service, they will be, too! But don’t go overboard when you write product descriptions for your ecommerce website. Keep your copy short and direct.
Think about the user experience of reading a web page when you’re shopping. What information do you want to know first? Lead with this copy. Feel free to add some personality in your brand’s voice, but make sure you’re not overwhelming the reader. If you have extra information to share, beyond the basics, you can always start a blog.
Also, use short paragraphs (no more than six lines) and bullet points to organize your product information so the pages have an easy-to-read flow.
Step 5. Optimize for Mobile
According to the Pew Research Center, 76% of Americans shop on their phone or mobile device. That’s why it’s crucial that your UX optimization includes a mobile version of your online store. Thankfully, most ecommerce platforms can do this automatically. However, you or your design team will still need to test your mobile site to make sure it functions properly.
As you optimize for mobile, we also recommend considering your site speed. How quickly does your website load? Ideally, every page on your ecommerce site should load in less than two seconds. If it takes longer, customers may become impatient. They’ll be less likely to make it to the checkout process. If your site is too slow, try using fewer plugins and make sure your images are under 100kb in size.
Step 6. Get Feedback
Finally, get feedback on your ecommerce website redesign from team members, friends, and customers. Ask them to test the user experience and see whether shopping on your website feels easy or hard. Listen to their feedback without judgment. If your testers say that something about the site is confusing or doesn’t work right, make sure you change your UX accordingly.
Let Mandzok Marketing Help
Still not sure where to start with creating an online store with killer UX? Let Mandzok Marketing help! We can optimize your website so you receive more clicks and conversions. Learn more about our UX services.