To run a successful eCommerce business, every business owner should think of consumers first. Online shoppers don’t want to wait for too long, they just want to shop and get their products as soon as possible. An average online shopper stays on your website for around 10 seconds. That’s way too little time for a consumer to fully see and understand your website. 

This is why you need a website that’s user-friendly and clearly shows what you’re selling. This is the only way you can convert a visitor into a repeat customer. 

How to make your website user-friendly?

There are some small changes you can make to ensure your website is super user friendly. Having a user-friendly design will be the primary differentiating factor between your store and your competitor’s.

#1. Fast loading time

Having a fast loading time is one of the most crucial elements when it comes to building an online store. According to recent studies, speed has been shown to be related to great shopping experience. Almost 80% of all online shoppers leave a website after waiting for more than 3 seconds to load. 

You can test the current speed of your website on Google’s speed checker. It also shows problem factors that are impacting your website’s speed. Most common issues include heavy images and videos, bad CSS, issues with your hosting provider. 

#2. Clear logo and branding

How can you capture a customer within the first few seconds of them landing on your website? You present them with your unique, catchy, and attractive logo and branding.

Your logo should be clearly visible so that a customer can see what brand they’re shopping with. Customers will be able to decide if your online shop is selling products they’re interested in. 

#3. Promotions & Free Shipping

Online shoppers are always looking for discounts and offers. Offering catchy promotions is the best way to get the attention of online shopping enthusiasts. 

When you offer free shipping and discounts, you’re inviting customers to try out your products. But, always make sure that your promotions are visible on your store home page and promote them across your social media channels. 

#4. Add payment option icons

To convert an average visitor into a paying customer, you need to highlight that your website is trusted. One of the easiest ways to gain a visitor’s trust is by adding a series of trusted payment icons on your website. 

As the retail industry is quickly turning towards digital retail, a lot of consumers are still hesitant in sharing their bank information with a random online seller. To build trust in the user base, you need to assure your visitors by implementing payment icons on the site. 

#5. Social media links

Online shoppers love to use social media, so they want to make sure that your brand is loved on social media platforms. 

Potential customers want to see how many followers you have, how you present yourself to customers. So, make sure your social media buttons are visible throughout your website.

You can incentivize customers to follow your social media networks with a promotion or share your products with social media icons. 

#6. Customer service

Another element that you can use to make your website more user-friendly is to offer valuable customer support channels. Visitors often look out for specific customer service elements:

• Contact information
• Live chat or click to call buttons
• Social media icons
• About us page

As you’re selling online, you want your online store to offer the same level of customer service and human touch that can help in increasing conversion rates. Offering numerous customer support channels mean more customers will trust shopping on your website. 

#7. Return policy

Almost all the customers look for the return policy of an online store before making a purchase. As most customers often end up being disappointed with the product they order online, having a clear return policy pays off. 

Make sure your return policy is at the front and center. If a customer wants to learn about your brand’s return policy, they shouldn’t have to jump through multiple hoops to find it. 

Be as clear and as specific as specific in your product return policy so it doesn’t leave any room for customers to hesitate in ordering a product. 

#8. Guest checkout

Customers don’t like it when you force them to create an account to make a purchase. Especially if they’re visiting your website for the first time. Give your customers an opportunity to check out as quickly as possible.

While you may want to offer a speedy checkout process. To encourage users to sign up on your website, you’ll have to highlight the benefits they’ll get when they share personal information with you.

Promote the benefits of creating an account on the website, but also offer customers to quickly make a purchase if that’s what they want. 

#9. Quality product pages

To attract customers in making a purchase, you need to have quality pages, images, and descriptions. As they’re making the purchase online, there will be no sales person convincing your customers to purchase an item.

Customers want specific information about product descriptions so they can learn what the product is about. 

Online customers require powerful and detailed images before they make a purchase.

#10. User generated content

One of the best marketing methods for your online store is social proof. To convert a website visitor into a customer, just your word isn’t enough. Online shoppers are strongly influenced by real customers who have already purchased your products and have left a review.

Having a lot of reviews on your website will help potential customers make a decision. User generated content will also provide your website with unique content and also help in increasing SEO efforts.