10 ways to improve your online shop

10 Ways To Improve Your Online Shop

If you have an online shop, this is the post for you. Whether your shop has been established for a while, or you’re just starting out we’re giving you 10 ways to improve your online shop.

1. Upload the right size images

Every website has its own preferred dimensions for your images. If you don’t upload images that are the correct size, the website will stretch, shrink or distort your images so they fit. This can result in low quality, warped photographs that aren’t a good representation of your product.

If you need help resizing your images, take a look at this post.

2. Show the details of your products

If a dress has pockets, your customers want to know about them. Show every detail of your product in the images. This stops any confusion over what a customer is buying, and saves you time writing out long descriptions.

3. Check your spelling

Good spelling and grammar makes your shop look and sound professional. This helps your customers trust your business, and more likely to purchase from you.

If you struggle with spelling, use a spell check feature or have someone read over your text before it’s posted (or both!).

4. Have a call to action

A good, simple, eye catching call to action is proven to improve the amount of sales made. If you can control the ‘buy now’ or ‘add to basket’ buttons on your chosen platform, make them clear and clickable.

5. Be clear on shipping costs and times

Shipping costs aren’t always free. That’s fine, as long as the costs are reasonable and it’s clear that your customer will be paying an additional fee at the checkout. Displaying an estimated shipping time will give your customers clarity, and increase their trust in your online shop.

Abstract art contemporary jewellery photography for Victoria Radcliffe Studios

6. Check your page loading times

Did you know that around 53% of mobile web users will leave your online shop if it hasn’t loaded within 3 seconds? Your page loading times could be costing you customers. Check how fast your online shop is by testing it on multiple devices, or using the PageSpeed Insights tool.

7. Include an about section

Whether your online shop is hosted on your own website, or on sites like Etsy, Not on the High Street and Folksy, there is always space to introduce yourself and your business. Tell your customers a little bit about you and your product. Including an image of you at work helps to put you at the forefront of your business and make you more approachable. People like to buy from people.

8. Update stock availability

Sometimes products will be out of stock, require a pre-order or have longer lead times to be bespoke made. Communicate this to your customers before they add it to their basket.

9. Be mobile friendly

Around 55% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If your online shop doesn’t load correctly on a mobile phone or if it’s difficult to use, customers will go elsewhere. Check your website on Android and Apple devices, as well as varying screen sizes to make sure you don’t miss out.

10. Test your pop ups

Pop ups can be useful to give customer discounts, encourage people to sign up to the mailing list and to give a clear call to action. However, if there are 5 pop ups each time a user visits your online shop or clicks through to another product the website becomes frustrating. Test your pop ups to be certain they’re useful, and only appearing once.

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