While some TV commercials would have you believe designing a website is as easy as point and click, which is hardly the case. This is especially when it comes to an ecommerce website. When online shopping is added to the website, the programming can become quite complex, and this is before payment gateways are added to the equation. Before contemplating an undertaking such as this on your own, it may be best to use an Internet business consultant specializing in website design.
Today, the Internet allows any business to create its very own niche marketplace. Everyone is online these days. Even grandma has a Facebook account! Because the audience is so vast and represents every type of customer, it is extremely important to have website that can properly take advantage of this and capture your target audience.
What most people do not realize is that your website will probably be your most productive sales person, that is if it is done properly. In most cases, the landing page will be the key to the website’s success. This is the first impression the consumer will have of the business and it needs to generate interest, not a high bounce rate. If it is too cluttered or loaded with annoying pop ups, the page will have very little chance of closing the deal.
Another key element to the website is the actual visual element. Consumers often eat and shop with their eyes, and that is exactly what you want them to do when they browse your website. The images need to be attractive and relevant to your product. They need to have them digging for their credit card before they ever even get a look at the pricing.
Security is also a major issue from a consumer standpoint. Identity theft and hacking seem to make the headlines almost every day. If you are not using a secure gateway as a payment option, the site will more than likely fail. The consumer needs to know their information is safe and secure when they make a purchase from your website.
Finally, SEO will play a major role in the success or failure of the website. It can be the most incredible website on the Internet but if consumers cannot find it, it will never make a sale. There are techniques that can be used early on to help generate traffic and sales while the website climbs the search engine ladders that can eventually be tailed off as it solidifies its place in the rankings. Put all of this together and you will have a website that produces income and that consumers love and trust.
*Photo Courtesy of Nemo via Creative Commons License
