E-Commerce Design Best Practices For A Squarespace Website

If a shop is only one part of your business, then have just one “SHOP” link in the header.

If e-commerce IS your business, then your header might just be different categories of your stuff, like men, women, tops, bottoms, shoes, etc. It’s also okay to have more than 5 navigation items if you are strictly an e-commerce shop.

Include a search bar, but only allow it to search for your products. More on how to do that later.

Remember that product titles can be keyword-rich. Name your products what you think people might type into search engines.

Don’t call your running shoes “foot sweaters with rubber bottoms,” call them “women's minimalist running shoes.”

Photo Guidelines for Squarespace Online Stores

Use great photos for your products. Duh. But also try to include multiple photos from different angles depending on the product and features you want to highlight.

Use a Recognizable Visual Reference for Your Products

It’s helpful to have something in the photo that gives reference to how big or small a product is. For example, if you sell mugs, showing a person holding your mug will give the shopper a better reference for its size.

Photos can also be useful when trying to display the different uses and sizes of your product.

Show your product on a variety of models, especially for clothes. Everybody’s body is different, and you don’t want someone to not buy your product because all your models are super skinny or super jacked.

Before and after photos can help the shopper visualize HOW the product will work.

Answer Common Questions People May Have About Your Product, Especially Around Size

People don’t do well with numerical measurements. Don’t say it’s 8 inches tall and 4 inches wide, say it’s about the size of a DVD case. (Remember those?)

Use Comparisons to Help Determine Which Version of a Product Is Best for Them

When displaying multiple versions of a product, stack each version next to each other so you can do a comparison at a glance.

Help People Find Your Products Based on a Goal

Sometimes, especially for supplement products, it can be challenging to know which product you need.

You might not know the difference between oolong tea and rooibos tea.

But if you help customers search by goal, for example, “Eczema Relief” or “Antioxidant Boost” or “Help Sleeping,” you can then display the teas that offer those benefits.

Keep Options Simple for Better Results

Sometimes less is more. Option anxiety is a real thing. Studies have shown that giving people fewer items to choose from can actually encourage them to buy more.

We have all been to a restaurant that displays a novel for a menu. These places often don’t do any one thing exceptionally well.

However, a fancy restaurant displays just a few items to show how much effort and care goes into each dish.

Whether you are a large or a small business, keeping your options simple and clear will drive more sales. If you want to sell products, then less is more.

If you want some help organizing or building out your e-commerce shop then schedule a free web design consultation with me today.

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