# Beginner’s Guide to Optimizing Your E-Commerce Website for Improved Performance
When it comes to owning and operating an e-commerce store, having a website that’s easily accessible and navigable is essential for generating the desired leads and sales for your business. With that in mind, optimizing your current site is the first step to achieving these results.
## Why e-commerce website design is crucial for success
E-commerce website design is the process of constructing and updating a website to accommodate online browsing and selling capabilities. As opposed to websites that aren’t designed for online shopping, such as news sites, e-commerce sites incorporate distinct features that include the following:
– Product reviews or other user-generated content (UGC)
– Order and shipping management components
– 24/7 customer service portals
– Product availability filters
## Tips to boost your e-commerce website performance
Looking to boost your e-commerce website performance? Here are some key tips and tricks to accomplish just that:
### 1. Diverse payment options enhance the customer experience
A comprehensive website should include numerous payment options to maintain a higher conversion rate. Some common payment methods to consider for your e-commerce store include:
– Credit or debit cards
– Digital wallets
– Electronic funds transfers (EFTs)
– Mobile payments
– Buy now, pay later options
– Prepaid cards
### 2. Post clear images of your products to boost sales
Clear and accurate product photos help customers gain a better understanding of what to expect. Ensure high-quality images with proper lighting and different angles for each product.
### 3. Improve site speed for better search engine rankings
Quick loading time is crucial for an e-commerce site as it impacts the number of impressions your website receives. Increase site speed by adjusting image size and format, clearing cache frequently, and optimizing your hosting platform.
### 4. Optimize product pages for mobile view for better accessibility
With mobile searches contributing to over 60% of all U.S. website traffic, optimizing your e-commerce website for mobile devices is essential. Enhance your website for mobile view by ensuring images are resizable, using large visible text, and incorporating a thumb-friendly design.
### 5. Create accessible, efficient navigation for a better user experience
Clear navigation and a comprehensive menu can help customers quickly find products on your e-commerce website. Along with a clear menu, include essential pages like the homepage, category pages, individual product pages, and contact information.
## Benefits of an optimized e-commerce website
Maintaining an easily accessible and user-friendly website is crucial for increasing leads and sales for your online store. By implementing these strategies, you will start to see positive results reflected in the number of clicks and impressions your store receives, as well as an increase in product purchases.
## FAQs on e-commerce website design
### Can I build an e-commerce website on my own?
Yes, you can build an e-commerce website using various website builders designed to simplify the process. These tools provide templates and drag-and-drop functionalities for easy website creation.
### How many pages should an e-commerce website have?
An e-commerce website should have core pages like Home, About Us, Products, Blog, and Contact Us. Additional pages for FAQs, policies, and testimonials can enhance user experience.
### Which website builder is best for e-commerce?
Popular e-commerce website builders include Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, OpenCart, Squarespace, and PrestaShop. Choose a platform based on your specific needs for an effective e-commerce website.
### How do I improve my e-commerce website navigation?
Effective navigation tips for your e-commerce website include including a search bar, adding footer navigation, incorporating calls to action, using breadcrumbs, and making navigation elements clickable.
### What are the best e-commerce website analytics tools?
Implement goal-tracking metrics and use tools like Google Analytics, Polymer, Heap, Glew.io, and Looker to track the performance of your e-commerce website.
*Post by: Cache Merrill*
Cache Merrill is the founder of Zibtek, a software development consultancy specializing in website security and advisory solutions. Connect with Cache Merrill on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zibtek/).
By following these beginner-friendly tips and tricks, you can optimize your e-commerce website for improved performance and increased sales. Start implementing these strategies today to see positive results for your online store.
