There are many Maltese companies that have decided to start a new online business or simply expand an already established business online. This is often a wise decision considering how consumers’ buying habits are changing from offline to online.
But to start off on the right foot and create a successful online store, every aspect of the project must be carefully studied, from web design to e-commerce development and SEO, to promotion with digital marketing channels.
It is essential to rely on teams of web specialists, SEO, designers, digital marketers and developers able to create e-commerce websites optimized both to guarantee a perfect user experience and to maximize online visibility. Here are some of the most important aspects to keep in mind when creating an online store:
Site usability and user experience
Keep the user in mind. Any layout, banner or menu you decide to use, make sure it’s user friendly and that it guarantees every user the best browsing experience. Each element of the site can be decisive in the visitor’s purchase decision. A simple and intuitive website that at the same time contains all the information necessary for the user has more chances to convert than a website that is unclear and difficult to navigate.
Site speed
The longer a site takes to load, the more likely it is that users will leave without buying. Make sure the website is as fast as possible, every thousandth of a second could be a deciding factor for visitors to stay on your page. Reducing your bounce rate has a lot to do with site speed and accuracy of content – give your users exactly what they’re looking for with efficient loading times.
SEO – Search Engine Optimization
Optimization for search engines is fundamental for e-commerce websites as for any other site. A website that is not visible on search engines to users searching for those products does not entirely serve a purpose; as it won’t be easily found in a common search. There are experts called SEO specialists who know all there is to know about the strategies used to maximize the online visibility of a website. E-commerce websites also, unlike other types of sites, often have many pages and URLs indexed by Google that inevitably cause the onset of numerous technical errors that can compromise the site’s positioning and therefore visibility. Hence the need to have someone that keeps the site healthy.
Upsell and cross-sell
What does upselling and cross-selling mean? Upsell is to sell a more expensive product than the one in question. Cross-selling consists of suggesting additional or complementary products.Integrating these sales strategies into an e-commerce website can help increase the perceived value of the customer and increase profit.
Images
The importance of images in an online store takes on a fundamental aspect as these must succeed in capturing the attention and interest of users. In order for the products to have an irresistible charm, the images must be of high quality, precise photographs and possibly from multiple angles. Labelling your images with keywords can also help boost your SEO – another tip to consider for your e-commerce website!
These are just some of the aspects to consider when creating an e-commerce platform, it goes without saying that other equally important aspects such as product descriptions and site content should not be underestimated.