The 6-Point Design Checklist When Building A Successful Ecommerce App
The ecommerce industry has undergone a massive transformation in the past few years, since the inception of the Internet and its growing accessibility. From offering convenience to the customer, to boosting business sales, the industry has positively affected the economy.
With digital shopping gaining importance, we need to address an important issue that directly relates to the success of your in-store experience. How good is the UI or UX design of your ecommerce app, for example? If you have never given it a thought, probably the time has come for you to do it.
How And Why design affects an ecommerce app
Tell us, why do you love using the Amazon app?
For one, it offers an intuitive experience. The app makers have arranged the categories alphabetically. The different product categories are spelled out, without the user having to think where they might find their products. It’s effortless and can be used by various age groups with ease.
What have they considered when designing their app?
- The app adheres to the brand image and values
- It is easy to operate and offers hassle-free navigation
- The presentation is simple and does not call for a lot of thinking
- It is easy to review your products
- Information is available at a click
- There is an efficient use of visual elements and white space
Amazon has combined the branding aspect efficiently with the UX and UI needs expressed by its customers to offer a compelling and visually inspiring solution.
Are you ready to follow the same for your business app? Here’s the checklist that helps you get the desired UX/UI design for your ecommerce app.
1. Intuitive Navigation Is The Key
People don’t like to think when they are visiting your app. They should be able to move their fingers without second thoughts about the place they aim to attend. For instance, if they want to buy cosmetics on your app, they should be able to locate their cosmetic choice quickly, without having to think or ask anyone.
Make sure you have a neat and simple navigation structure in place. If your app sells too many products, categorize them in a way that every other user can understand. Make sure navigating through the products is done with minimal clicks and reaching the payment gateway is secure.
2. Prioritize Your App’s Home Screen
It is crucial you get your desired home screen designed the right way the first time. Remember, the home screen of your app gives the first impression, and if it does not offer the desired usability and experience, you might suffer from visitor attrition.
Display products that your ecommerce store provides. Make sure you give them a variety of offerings at a glance, and in an aesthetically-pleasing way. Don’t reduce the choices on the home page, as people don’t move forward if the home page doesn’t contain what they want.
3. Is It quick?
Nobody likes to wait! That’s the truth. If you are opening an app, and it doesn’t open in a few seconds, or it takes a lot of time to move from one screen to another, you tend to close the app and get back to what you were doing. So, don’t expect your user to wait for your app to load at its own sweet time.
Three to 10 seconds is the load time limit for your app. If your app doesn’t open in 10 seconds max, you are losing out on prospects. Remember the previous article on improving your UX and making more sales? We talked about something very similar.
You can use vectors in your ecommerce design, wherever possible. Optimizing images is an excellent way of reducing load time. You should opt for a hosting server that matches your need for speed.
4. Error Notifications Should Be Clear
The most frustrating aspect of operating an e-commerce app is when you don’t know what the error means. For instance, “not found” is an open error, and leaves the user in mystery as to what the app could not find.
Use crisp and precise language to indicate the errors. Make them visible by using bold colors and highlighting them, so that the user knows there is an issue
Make sure you align the error messages along the visual where the error occurs so that the customer is aware of what the error means and how to rectify it.
5. Choose An Appropriate Font Type And Size
It’s so irritating for your user if they cannot read what’s written right below the product you have chosen to view on the mobile. The choice of fonts plays an important role in making the app visually appealing, usable, and functional.
Too much content and too little space can lead to attrition for your app. Instead, try to work on an app that contains fewer words addressed in visible fonts. Work on your font and color choices for the right experience.
6. One-Click Checkout
No one wants a complex checkout; one that requires you to spend a lot of time filling out the forms. For increased engagement and improved conversions, opt for a single-page checkout with a one-click add-to-cart feature. The customer can add their address, name, and card details, process their payment, and secure their goods.
It’s a good idea to research the market and the target audience’s buying behavior before you plan your checkout process. An ecommerce app is considered interactive and intuitive when the customers can easily purchase what they have added to their cart.
The success of the ecommerce app is directly related to the usability and functional experience provided by it. You need to plan your design solutions based on the end user and how they respond to the eCommerce app. A/B testing will help you gauge your audience and know how they want their app to be. This will help you with the right feedback and give your app the necessary UX design.