Oh the ever-burdensome eCommerce site… I’ve always struggled with accomplishing great online store designs. It’s especially difficult when you are needed to highlight a product as rugged as a tire. So It was very good to see StoneTire, a site that was designed a developed over a year ago, recently named among one of Ten Inspiring Ecommerce Site Designs in a feature by Practical eCommerce - Insights for Online Merchants.
I guess I’m writing this post because recently I’ve noticed more and more people pointing me to the Apple site to show how good Ecommerce / product sites should be designed. I think what most online businesses fail to realize, is how beautiful the suite of Apple products are. I mean, you throw up a blank white slate, slap an iPhone on top, and you have a great design. So if you’re product turns out to be less than equal to the loft Apple standards, it’s important to achieve a few simple things that will leave your online store better off.
Make sure the photography or images are perfect.
Get some professional photography done so your product shines as best it can. After you have the pricey pics, go in and clean them up and color correct them so they really stand out on the page.
Organize the store front.
In order for your customers to process everything in an efficient manner, it is wise to adhere to strict gridlines. Couple this with clean and clear titles and you’re one step closer to eCommerce nirvana.
Present your product on the homepage.
People want to know what they’re buying. They’re either going to buy it or they won’t. Hiding the product a few pages deep won’t solve anything.
I hope this helps those of you out there with Ecommerce websites. With the amount of competition that is joining the ranks everyday, it becomes increasingly more difficult to stand above the rest. Taking advantage of presentation techniques will at least push your product a little further in front of the eyes of your potential customers.