08/11/2019

How to Improve the UX of Your Shop

User experience (UX) design has a direct relation to the future of retail. Because of the increasing competition in the technology-driven market, there is a constant need to improve the UX of online shops. This is essential for survival as well as growth. 

User experience will determine what impression customers have about the business. Good UX will leave a positive impact and garner customer loyalty. Modern users are spoilt for choice in the online shopping world. If a website’s UX is not designed well, it benefits the competitors. This is because users simply leave the page and resume shopping elsewhere. Nobody wants to waste time with a slow and complex interface and UX. UX is an umbrella term and covers everything from SEO to customer service. 

Enhancing the UX of the shop

The UX must be considered a significant factor when designing a website, and from then on, efforts should be made to improve the UX as far as possible. 

Optimize the main call for action

A business is usually aware of what action it wants a user to take while the user is at their shop. Optimize the UX to make it easy for the user to do it without any hassle.

Test and monitor

The business needs to observe and test the usage and behavior of customers at the shop. Monitoring these closely allows the business to handle inconveniences in time. The business can also anticipate the needs and meet them. 

Track the most popular items

Certain websites and apps allow a business to see visual heat maps and scroll maps. A business can see what is most popular and work to develop it more to increase conversions. Tracking also makes it easier for a business to see what elements can be added to further aid UX. 

Connect via social media

The business must make it easy for users to connect with it on social media. Users should be able to reach out easily to the business. It gives a sense of being connected and of ease to the users. They can understand the brand and what it stands for in a much better way. 

Avoid pressuring users with data entry at the very start

The interface must be designed in a manner that whatever data entry is required must take place over some time. Blocking the path of users with multiple fields for data entry will only make them leave. The business must make it easy for users to enter data at their convenience. A guest checkout option will also work well. A streamlined checkout process is a way to go.

Customer surveys

This is an easy and significant way to gauge how customers view your UX. This way, the business can conduct split-tests and find problems to fix.  

Use the information from half-processed sales

There are times when users add something to the cart but do not purchase it in the end. This area has a treasure of information that can be used. The customer was interested in the product. What made the customer abandon the idea of purchase? How can the company stimulate that interest again? The business can try sending push notifications or emails with discounts and reminders about the product. The abandoned purchase may be due to some other issue with the UX. The business must attempt to fix it.

Boosting speed

UX depends on the speed of loading and processing. People do not like to wait for more than two seconds for a page to load. The better the speed of the page, the better will be the user experience.  The page must not be sluggish. A good hosting plan, compressing images, and similar steps can be taken to boost the speed of the shopping site.

Product/Service recommendation and quick comparison

The business should study the behavior of users on its store and analyze that information. Offering recommendations based on what the users like and what they might like takes the UX up a notch. The users will be impressed with the ease that this provides them. Enable the users to make a quick comparison between similar products and services. 

People are now used to convenient and intuitive websites. The good UX design is now the norm. A business must always keep looking for new ways to improve its UX design. Different variations must be tried; newer updates must be checked for and many other things. Also, seeking help from experts is the ideal thing one can do to ensure that the UX design is top-notch and fits well in the competitive market of today.

Every 2 weeks, get the best ecommerce tips and latest trends in your inbox.

By submitting this form, I agree to the data entered being used by PrestaShop S.A for sending newsletters and promotional offers. You can unsubscribe at any time by using the link in the emails sent to you. Learn more about managing your data and rights.