7 main sins of an online store that reduce conversion

Do you have an online store? For it to succeed and bring in more sales, certain sins must be avoided. But which ones exactly? Prepare yourself for an amazing journey into the world of online trading, where we will discover the 7 biggest sins that must be eliminated to make your online store sparkle with new colors. Are you ready to learn all the secrets of successful development and increased conversion? Forward!

Glossary

• Online store - a website that presents goods or services for online purchase.

• Conversion - the percentage of visitors who completed a targeted action on the site, for example, making a purchase.

• Optimization is the process of improving the operation of an online store, including optimizing content, design, using SEO strategies and other factors in order to increase its effectiveness.

• Clients are people who make purchases in an online store.

• Sales - the quantity and cost of goods or services sold in the online store over a certain period of time.

• Insufficient information about the existence of the store - lack of active marketing campaigns, advertising, PR events and promotional measures online store, as a result of which its existence is unknown to the target audience.

• Unattractive design - the design of an online store that does not attract attention and does not encourage visitors to make a purchase.

• Inability to find specific products - difficulties in finding products in an online store, which can lead to churn customers and low conversion.

• An offer that is inferior to competitors - a discrepancy between the assortment and prices of an online store and the offers of competitors, which can reduce its attractiveness for clients.

• Lack of sufficient information characterizing the goods - lack of complete, accurate and understandable information about the goods in the online store , which can reduce customer confidence and their desire to make a purchase.

• Cumbersome registration and ordering process - difficulties and inconveniences in the process of registering a new account and placing an order, which may scare away a potential client and lead to lost sales.

• Lack of order status information - lack of ability to track order status in real time, which can cause dissatisfaction customer and may lead to order cancellation.

Sin #1. Not Knowing About Your Online Store

When it comes to online stores, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is not knowing enough about the store's existence. You can have a great product, but if people don't know about your store, they simply won't be able to make a purchase.

Why is this important?

An active presence in social media directories, newsletters, affiliate programs and paid advertising are all important tools for attracting attention to your online store. They will create a stable position even if one of the channels is suddenly removed. If you don't put enough effort into promoting your store, you're missing out on the opportunity to attract new customers and increase sales.

How to optimize your store information?

1. Be active on social networks: Social networks are great the opportunity to share information about your store, products and promotions. Be where your target audience is and engage in dialogue with your customers.

2. Use newsletters and mailings: Send regular newsletters and newsletters help keep your customers up to date with the latest news, promotions and offers. It's also a way to keep in touch with your audience.

3. Start an Affiliate Program: The Affiliate Program allows you to partner with other websites and blog owners to promote your store and products. They will receive a commission for every successful sale made through their referral link.

4. Invest in Paid Advertising: Search Engine Advertising Campaigns and social media can be very effective, especially if you make it targeted and tailored to your audience.

Why should you trust these recommendations?

According to Forrester research, online stores that actively promote on social networks and use affiliate programs have an average of 20% more conversions than those that do not use these tools.

Improvement example:

🚀 Ok, now your store is ready to action! You've created social media accounts, set up newsletters, and launched an affiliate program. Your customers will know about your store and will not be able to resist your attractive offers! 🚀

Summary

Getting the word out about your online store is key to its successful development. Use all available tools for an active presence of your store on the Internet. Social media activity, newsletters, affiliate programs, and paid advertising will help you increase your store's visibility, attract more customers, and increase sales conversions.

Sin #2. Online Store Design Mistakes: How to Attract and Retain Customers

Research shows that the first 2.6 seconds is the deciding moment for users to decide whether to stay web page of the online store or leave it. It is in this short period of time that the first impression of your online store is formed.

One of the biggest sins of online stores is unattractive design. Your design should be modern, aesthetic and balanced. High-quality website design not only increases conversion, but also creates a positive atmosphere for customers that will stay with them after the purchase.

Design is the key to communication with customers

Online store design is part of your communication with your audience. It conveys your uniqueness, values and professionalism. Buyers judge your company and products based on the visuals of your website. If your design has an unattractive appearance, it can greatly impact the perception of your brand and create doubt among potential customers.

Pay special attention to the following design aspects:

1. Logo

A logo is the face of your company. It should be recognizable, well designed and convey your uniqueness. Remember that the logo should be easy to scale and be clear even on mobile devices. Use color schemes and fonts that match your brand.

2. Menus and navigation

Menus and navigation should be intuitive and easy to use use. Divide product categories into clear subsections so that customers can easily find the product they need. Use navigation elements such as Buy, Checkout, and Contact to create a clear, user-friendly journey for users.

3. Search

Put yourself in the customer's shoes and think about what product or information they would like to find using search. Make sure your online store's search function is fast and accurate. Add advanced filtering features to help users find what they need quickly and accurately.

4. Social Media Links

Social media links help establish contact between your online store and potential customers. Place visible and relevant links to your brand pages on popular social networks so that customers can easily learn more about your company, follow news, promotions and share their experiences.

Don't forget about font design and choosing appropriate color schemes that go with the concept of your online store. It is very important that your design is pleasing to the eye and at the same time does not distract from the main content.

Design that increases efficiency and sales

Think of your online store design as an important investment that can increase your conversion and customer appeal. Unattractive design hinders purchasing processes and can result in your website visitors not finding what they are looking for and leaving to find their needs met elsewhere.

Summary: Best Practices and Best Practices for Online Store Design

• Create an attractive and balanced design that matches your brand and inspires trust .
• Pay special attention to the logo, menu, navigation, search and social media links.
• Use colors and fonts that match your brand.
• Provide fast and accurate searches on your site.
• Post social media links to connect with customers.
• The design should be pleasing to the eye and not distract from the main content.

Considering all the above recommendations and best practices in online store design, you will be able to attract more customers, increase conversions and improve the performance of your online business.

"Good design not only beautifies a web page, but also supports its functionality. It is the same coin, with both intrinsic and extrinsic value." - Vitaly Fesenko, design expert at Prom.

Sin No. 3. Problems with finding products in an online store

In the modern world, where consumers increasingly prefer to make purchases online, online stores are becoming an integral part of commercial activities. However, despite its popularity, many online store owners find it difficult for customers to find specific products on their website. It is important to understand that this problem is one of the main sins that online stores must avoid to successfully develop and increase conversions.

Why is the product search problem so important?

When a customer visits an online store looking for a specific product, they typically only spend six seconds finding it. If a customer cannot quickly and easily find what he was looking for, then there is a high probability that he will go to a competitor’s website and make a purchase from them. Thus, problems with sourcing products can cause serious damage to your business.

What mistakes can be made when searching for products?

Not being able to find specific products is a fundamental mistake of online stores, especially those that offer a wide range of products. Unfortunately, many online store owners neglect to implement an effective internal search engine. The results of such searches are often incorrect or unsatisfactory, and customers searching for a specific product may quickly switch to a competitor's site.

How to optimize the search engine of your online store?

To make your product search more efficient, you need to pay special attention to the correctness and accuracy of the results you receive. Make sure your search engine can handle both your exact queries and similar words. It is recommended to set sorting filters based on product categories, price, brand and other characteristics so that customers can quickly find what they need.

Also don't forget about the ability to use visual search queries that allow customers to upload an image of a product to find similar offers. This approach can greatly simplify the search for buyers, especially if the product has complex characteristics or a unique design.

What else can be done to improve product search?

In addition to internal search engine optimization, there are other measures you can take to improve product search in your online store:

1. Ensure that your site is easy to navigate. Visitors should easily navigate between sections and categories without getting lost on the site. Make sure your menu is clearly displayed at the top of the page and contains all the main sections.

2. Enter suggestions when typing a query into the search bar. This will allow customers to quickly find the product they need, and will also give them the opportunity to correct any spelling errors.

3. Ensure pages load quickly. Slow loading pages can irritate your visitors and discourage them from continuing their search.

4. Create detailed product descriptions. The more informative and complete the product descriptions, the easier it will be for the client to make a purchasing decision. Remember that trust in the site and quality information provided about the product increases the likelihood of a purchase.
   
   

Best practices for solving product search problem:

So, problems with product searches are a serious flaw that online retailers must actively correct. By optimizing your internal search engine, ensuring easy navigation, and creating detailed descriptions, you can attract more customers and increase sales in your online store.

Today I told you about the problems associated with finding products in an online store and suggested solutions to improve them. Don't forget to pay special attention to the internal search engine, site navigation and informative product descriptions - this way you can attract more customers and increase sales in your online store.

"Good product search in an online store is the key to customer trust and high conversions. Optimize your internal search engine and pay attention to improving usability. This will help you attract more potential customers and increase sales." - Anastasia Boyko, e-commerce expert at Moyo.

Sin number 4. How to determine the degree of competition in the external environment?

Determine how your potential client will learn about your online store. To create a successful growth strategy, you need to carefully analyze the marketing activities and product range of your competitors.One of the most important aspects is to compare the prices of goods and services.

So, let's talk about how you can determine the degree competition in your external environment. Often, this plays a determining role in how successfully your online store will develop and attract customers. It is important to know who and what makes up the basis of your competitive circle and how much competition there is in the market so that you can adequately assess your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a strategy that will help you differentiate yourself from your competitors and attract more customers.

How to conduct a competition analysis?

Competitive analysis aims to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of competitors and identify unique opportunities for your business. Such an analysis may include the following steps:

1. Information gathering - conduct market research and study the competition. Explore their websites, visit their online stores, study their range, prices, delivery conditions, promotions and discounts.

   

   This will help you understand how competitive your company is in relation to other players in the market.

2. Analysis of strengths and weaknesses - use the information obtained to identify the strengths and weaknesses of competitors. Assess where they are successful and how you can surpass them.

   Expert Opinion: "Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of competitors is an important step in developing your own strategy. Allowing you to determine where you have unique advantages and what can be improved, you can develop a more successful business plan." - Vyacheslav Miroshnik, Marketing Director at Foxtrot.

   

3. Market share assessment - analyze the market share held by your competitors. This will help you understand how strong and dominant players they are in the market.

   Expert Opinion: "Assessing your competitors' market share allows you to understand what market share they have and how competitive you are. This can help you can determine whether you have an advantage over your competitors and how you can improve it." - Marina Dobrovolskaya, e-commerce expert at Price.

   

How to use the received data?

Once you have completed your competitive analysis and obtained the necessary information, you can use it to determine your growth and customer acquisition strategy. Here are some best practices to help you put your findings to work:

• Identify your competitive advantages and unique capabilities. Find a way to highlight them in your marketing strategy to grab customers' attention.
• Use what you learn about competitors' prices to set competitive prices for your products and services. Regularly monitor competitors' prices and take steps to remain competitive in the market.
• Use your competitors' promotions and discounts to create your own compelling offers. Attract customers with special purchase conditions or discount programs.
• Constantly monitor the activities of your competitors and respond to changes in their marketing strategies and tactics. Be willing to adapt and offer something unique that will set you apart in the market.

Don't forget that competitive analysis is an ongoing process. The market is constantly changing and it is important to stay on top of the latest trends and changes. Have a clear understanding of your competitors and use your knowledge to develop a strategy that will help your online store become successful and attractive to customers.

Sin #5. Poor quality images and overly technical product descriptions

Everyone knows that a picture speaks more than a thousand words. In online stores, this is even more true, since customers cannot touch the product and see its real colors. Therefore, image quality is important to attract customers and increase conversions.

But, unfortunately, some online stores commit the sin of not paying due attention to the quality of images of their products. Low resolution, poor color rendering, blurriness - all this scares off potential buyers.

Product descriptions that are too technical can also cause confusion for buyers. Too many terms, unclear language, lack of simple and clear explanations - all this makes the purchase unpleasant and simply scares away customers.

How to solve this problem and improve the quality of product images and descriptions? Here are some useful tips:

1. High-quality photos. Invest in good photography equipment and learn how to properly photograph products. Learn the basics of photography to ensure your photos are clear, colorful, and eye-catching.

2. Various angles and details. Show the product from all sides so that the client can imagine its real appearance. Highlight key details and features so that the buyer understands what they will get when purchasing.

3. High resolution. Make sure your images are of sufficient resolution to be viewed on different devices. The higher the resolution, the more detailed and clear the photos will be.

4. Informative descriptions. Don't be afraid to describe your items in detail. Tell us about their features, materials, sizes and specifications. Use simple language and avoid overly technical terms.

5. Comments and reviews. Include customer reviews and comments under each product. This will help potential customers hear other people's opinions about the product and increase trust in your store.

6. Technical support. Provide an opportunity to ask questions about the product and receive a qualified answer. Provide contact information, phone numbers, and email on product pages so customers can ask for help.

7. Responsive design. Make sure that product images and descriptions are displayed correctly on all devices - computers, tablets and smartphones. Avoid cluttered pages, slow loading times, and image switching issues.
   

Table overview: Quality of images and product descriptions in the online store

Sin #6. The tedious process of registration and ordering

It's no secret that in the world of e-commerce, the successful development of an online store is inextricably linked to its ability to attract and retain customers. However, there are certain obstacles that can reduce the efficiency of an online store and increase the failure rate. One such barrier is the tedious registration and ordering process. In this article, we'll look at key issues that can arise in this process and offer practical solutions to improve its efficiency.

Problems with the registration and ordering process

Often, potential customers select and evaluate products not wanting to register or leave your personal data. This could be for a variety of reasons, including concerns about data security, not wanting to receive spam emails, or simply having to take the time to fill out numerous fields.

Forcing visitors to register can lead to a significant reduction in conversions. After all, when a person is asked too many questions or required to fill out complex forms, he may feel uncomfortable and simply leave the site in order to purchase the product somewhere else.

Solutions and Best Practices

1. Anonymous Purchase Method: Empowering anonymous purchasing is a great way to overcome user resistance to registration. Simply give customers the opportunity to purchase a product without filling out a registration form.

2. One-Page Registration: Simplify the registration process by reducing the number of required fields to a minimum. Ask customers to provide only the most necessary information to create an account and complete their purchase.

3. Social Login: Allow users to log into your site using social networks such as Facebook or Google. This will reduce the registration process to just a few clicks and make it easier for potential clients.

4. Guest Order: Provide a guest order feature so customers can check out without having to create an account. However, it is important to have functionality that allows guest customers to create an account after checkout if they choose.

5. Clear instructions: Try to make the registration and ordering process as clear as possible for customers. Provide detailed instructions or tooltips to help them fill out forms and choose the most convenient shipping and payment method.
   
   

Summary

Tedious registration process and placing an order is one of the main obstacles that can reduce the efficiency of an online store. By following the above recommendations and best practices, you can significantly improve this process, increase conversions, and create a better shopping experience for your customers.

Expert opinion

"One of the most common factors that lead to refusal of registration ordering are long and complex registration forms. Online stores that facilitate this process usually have higher conversion rates and customer loyalty." - Lyudmila Golubeva, user experience expert at Epicenter.

Overview of registration and ordering methods

Now, with a complete understanding of the tedious registration and checkout process, you can easily prevent these sins and create a convenient and enjoyable platform for your customers. Remember that simplicity and convenience are the key components to the success of your online store.

Sin No. 7. Error associated with the lack of information about the order

One of the key components of the successful operation of the Internet The store's mission is to provide customers with reliable information about the status of their order. Unfortunately, many online store owners make some serious mistakes that lead to dissatisfied customers and reduce conversions. In this article, we will look at the 7 biggest sins associated with missing order information and provide effective solutions to eliminate these errors.

The importance of informing the customer about the status of the order

When a customer places an order in an online store, It is very important for him to know at what stage it is, when it will be delivered and how he can track this process. The lack of reliable information about the status of the order can cause anxiety and a negative impression in the client, which in turn will lead to a decrease in trust in the store and possible refusals of purchases.

1. No email notifications

Most clients want to receive email notifications when their status changes. order. However, not all online stores provide this opportunity. The lack of an automatic email notification system is a serious shortcoming that can lead to customer disappointment. Providing accurate information about all stages of delivery allows the customer to stay informed about the process and feel important and respected.

2. Lack of order status information on the website

In addition to electronic notifications, customers expect to be able to track the status of their order on the online store website itself. However, some stores do not provide this feature or do not update order status information in a timely manner. This leads to dissatisfaction with the client, who cannot receive reliable information about the progress of his order and feels insecure. Providing the ability to track an order on the website will help improve the customer’s attitude towards the online store and strengthen his trust.

3. Hidden delivery terms

Another error associated with the lack of order information is unclear or hidden delivery terms. Customers need to be clear about what shipping methods are available, how long delivery will take, and what additional costs may be involved. Lack of reliable delivery information can cause disappointment for the customer and cause them to abandon the purchase.

4. Lack of information about returning goods

Information about the procedure for returning goods is also an important component of order information. Customers should know what to do if they are dissatisfied or damaged with a product. The absence of such information can cause anxiety in the customer and worsen his impression of the store.

5. Delays in updating information

Some online stores are faced with the problem of delays in updating order status information. This can lead to dissatisfaction with the customer who is expecting accurate information about their order. Regular updating of information and timely informing the client will help avoid problems with trust and dissatisfaction.

6. Inappropriate use of template notifications

Some online stores use template notifications that do not reflect the individuality and uniqueness of each order. This can make the client feel that the relationship is not serious, which is a serious drawback. Using personalized messages and notifications will help create a warmer and more humane relationship with the client.

7. Inability to contact customer service

Inability to contact customer service in case of questions or problems is also a sin associated with the lack of order information . The customer must be able to contact the store and receive proper assistance and support. The lack of such an opportunity can lead to disappointment and refusal to purchase.

Summary

Online stores that do not provide reliable order status information risk losing customer trust and loyalty. Lack of email notifications, uninformative order pages, hidden shipping conditions, unclear return information, and problems updating information can lead to negative consequences.

To successfully develop and increase conversions, online stores must provide customers with complete and reliable information about the status of the order. The solutions suggested above will help increase customer trust, improve the customer experience and increase sales.

"Informing the customer about the status of their order is the key to satisfied and loyal customers." - Evgeniy Simonov, e-commerce expert at ALLO company.

Important: Use the information and practices suggested in this section to provide your online store with reliable information about the status of your order. Satisfied clients are satisfied clients!

Frequently asked questions on the topic of the 7 main sins of an online store

Thanks for reading - you are now a true online shopping master! 🎉

You've gone from an uninitiated beginner to an expert in the world of online shopping. Now you have all the knowledge to successfully grow your business and increase conversions.

You've learned the seven biggest sins you need to avoid to keep your online store thriving. You have realized the importance of a user-friendly interface, fast loading times and support on all devices. You've learned how to optimize your site for search engines and improve its visibility. You've realized that quality product photography and descriptions are the key to success.

Now that you are familiar with all the cardinal sins of an online store, you can take action. Put your newly acquired skills to use and make your online store a top seller!

I am sure that your online store will become cool and successful. I wish you many sales, loyal clients and impressive business growth. Don't stop there and continue to improve in this exciting world of online trading.

Good luck to you and prosperity to your online store! 💪🚀