This is a simple list of everything you should consider when designing and building an e-commerce platform in order to best suit the end user. To make it easy to follow we've outlined the points as a shopping list so you can follow it through item by item and where we can, we've added in a picture or two, enjoy!

1. 1. A Clear Logo
2. A Search Box
3. Featured Products
4. Related Products
Function
5. Newsletter Subscription
Form
6. Zoom Functionality
7. Clear Product Categories
8. Clear Navigation
9. Appropriate Payment
Gateway
10. Privacy Policy
11. Returns Policy
12. Optional Customer
Login/Registration
13. Transparent Delivery
Information
14.Good Graphics
15. Social Media
16. Upcoming News and
Events Section
17.Contact Options
18. Store Finder (If
Applicable)
Hong Kiat
Search Engine Journal

2. As an e-commerce platform, your site needs to distance itself
from the lower quality, online stores which clutter the
marketplace.
Your logo is one of the most effective ways you can do this.
A logo, if designed well, can convey credibility,
professionalism and your brand’s unique selling point simply
and effectively, without requiring masses of screen space.
Shopify

3. The ease of being able to find a product is essential to
the success of an e-commerce site and the site search
is a crucial feature which allows users to find specific
products.
The positioning of a search box therefore, should not
be overlooked as it is one of the main interactions
users have with a site.
It must be: In a prominent position, usually high up in
the layout to encourage searching.
The header area has become a conventional area to
place the search box, typically in the top right corner or
top centre of the page.
Digital and Wise

5. Displaying featured products on the homepage of your
website or to the side of search results will highlight
your best selling products, discounted produces or
general products to consumers.
This showcasing of products can help to give extra
prominence to the particular product you would like to
push and make sure it gets noticed.

6. The related products feature is a must have upselling
tool for any ecommerce site.
It gives shoppers logically direction in their shopping by
showing them what other products you stock that fit in
with the one they have already elected to buy.
It can help encourage customers to buy multiple items
as opposed to single items.
If handled well, with header text similar to “customers
who bought this also bought” it offers validation that
these products are tried and tested by other customers
too.

7. Images From Amazon

8. Having the functionality to allow users to subscribe to
your newsletter on your homepage helps them keep up
to date with your latest new and offers and it helps you
build your mailing list and increase the reach of your
marketing campaigns.

9. Product Zoom functionality is a great tool to have on
your ecommerce site, it allows customers to see in
detail, the products you have on offer and it’s a great
substitute for being able to actually touch the real
thing.
Zoom is especially important for products of high
quality, intricate detail or of a small size, not many
brands are going to be able to satisfy customers online
without it.
Images From ASOS (Next Page)

11. Navigation is similarly important on an e-commerce site,
because users should be able to easily access sections
of the site, as well as return quickly to the shopping
basket.
Clear categories ensure customers can find exactly
what they are looking for quickly and easily. It also
organises your product offering in to individually
marketable sections. Typically categories go across
the top of the page or in colours down the side.

12. When it comes to your site’s payment gateway it’s all
about giving assurance to the customer that their
payment details will be safe and secure.
Often that means it’s advisable to choose a merchant
account customers will recognise and are comfortable
with.

13. 1. Have a clear link to your Privacy Policy and
Returns Policy in your footer.
2. Outlining good privacy and returns policies adds
trustworthiness to your site, and assures customers
that if they ever do experience a problem, it will be
dealt with effectively.
3. Knowing they can easily return goods makes
buyers more comfortable to purchase in the first
place!

14. Give visitors to your site the OPTION to register with
you, so if they ever return again, they don’t need to
enter their delivery and billing details again making it
easier for them.
However, it is important to make this optional, some
visitors may be put off by having to register so also
allow ‘guests’ to make purchases on your site too,
without registration.
And of course, allow people to opt out of registration at
any point, in other words, keep site registration flexible.

15. Have good graphics on your site, including banners,
images and clickable icons to attract and engage
visitors, help display promotions and lead potential
customers to desired locations on your site by making
them clickable.

16. As with privacy and returns policies, make sure your
delivery information is clear and upfront, especially
where charges are concerned, don’t make customers
progress through the checkout before telling them your
delivery charges, this is a top reason for basket
abandonment!
Make your delivery details accessible on your site
without proceeding to check out and outline charges
and terms and condition upfront.

17. Dedicate a section of your site to news and events.
This is a great opportunity for you to keep customers
informed of your upcoming products, events and
promotions, and if this content is engaging it may even
help keep them on page longer.
Social media feeds or a blogging platform are two of
the most effective ways to do this.

19. Social media information on your site especially, is
great for letting visitors know they can interact with you
on and off your e-commerce site.
It can function as your customer support system,
allowing you to provide real time solutions for your
customers queries.
Social media is also another way to promote your
company: who you are, what you do and what you
have going on.

20. http://www.digitalandwise.com/best-practice-for-
ecommerce-site-search/
http://www.shopify.com/blog/6149614-5-logo-design-
tips-for-ecommerce-websites#ixzz2VASUlaba
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/essential-things-
ecommerce-site-should-have/
http://www.searchenginejournal.com/15-must-have-
features-ecommerce-site/27233/