A Must Check-list for e-commerce sites

When you start an e-commerce site there are lots of things that need to be checked and tested to ensure that your customers will have a nice experience. That’s the reason I put all together check-list for new e-commerce sites.

Walk through the list and mark off when you complete each item to ensure that your e-commerce site is ready for selling.

Step 1: Look out of Home Page which Customers See First

When someone comes to your site they have two choices, to leave or keep looking around. If the homepage’s UI isn’t appealing for the e-commerce shopper they immediately close the site, but with some additions and tweaks to your landing pages you can make users interested in your site.

Here’s what you should include and double check:

• Include a nicely designed logo
• Make sure the site works on all browsers and devices
• Promotional graphics and links on the homepage
• Links to the most popular products

• Have a clear search field at the top
• Display any specials, promotions or free shipping options
• A latest news area
• Links to recent purchases and popular products
• An area from where user can filter different brands or products
• A store finder if needed
• Language options is necessary for your e-commerce site

Step 2: Your Overall Site Management and its Look

We have to double check that the whole site is running properly and every page looks nice.

Let’s take a look at items that should be included on every page and things to remember when managing your site.

• Include security certificates and reminders that the transactions are safe throughout the website
• Easy navigation
• Test the speed of your site so pages load quickly – Use different tools for that
• Remove broken links and fill in empty product pages
• Make sure you have categories on each page and filtering options
• Have the email signup form show up on every page
• A link to your Career page
• A link to Legal information
• A link to your Privacy policy
• A link to your Contact Page
• A link to the FAQ page

• Links to your social pages
• Links to return and exchange policies
• Links to supplier information pages
• Sharing buttons
• A login box
• Tabs at the top of your e-commerce website to categories and products
• A shopping cart at the top in case people saved items
• Show what payment systems you use and any security measures you take
• Tabs leading to your support pages
• Make your e-commerce responsive and test it on all devices and browsers
• Show the checkout button clearly on each page

Step 3: Product Pages

When user came to your site from any search engine there will be the chance of landing on particular product page which means you need clear information and guides and media to push people to buy the products.

• Include calls to action
• Customer reviews and ratings for each e-commerce product
• Related product links to up sell
• Selling points, like free shipping or a clock with a discount if they buy now
• Provide product images with zoom-in functionality
• Multiple product images and angles (360 degree views)
• Item information and specifications
• A field to change purchase quantities
• A creative description that relates to the product uses
• Include an optimized product title
• An add-to-cart button on each product page
• Pricing information with potential sales or discounts
• The availability of each product to show scarcity and push people to buy
• Shipping and tax calculations on the product pages

• Materials used, dimensions, colours, weight, washing instructions
• Available sizes and a sizing guide if needed
• A comments section so people can discuss the e-commerce product
• A sorting and filter option for customer reviews
• An Add to Wish List button on each product page
• Videos to display how the product works
• A live chat option that shows the support team what the customer is looking at
• The product codes for people who might use this for reference later
• Stats on each product such as shares, views, sales and people who placed it on their Wish List
• Social share buttons for each e-commerce product
• Deals for people who purchase multiple related items together
• A banner that states if a product is sold out
• An area to sign up for notifications when a product becomes available
• Include keywords on each e-commerce product page to improve search engine rankings

Step 4: Customers Checkout, Shopping Cart and Wish List and follow up

• Don’t make the person create an account until after placing order
• Accept all payment methods
• Offer low shipping costs
• Make the checkout visual with fun images
• Add checkout buttons on the top and bottom of your pages
• Make sure the security and payment seals are most prominent during checkout
• Ask people to continue shopping after making a purchase
• Allow people to save their cart to a Wish List for later
• Suggest Wish List items to up sell during checkout
• Refrain from asking for a survey response after checkout (save this for email)
• Try free shipping when they spend a certain amount
• Offer multiple shipping methods
• Include an area to punch in promo codes
• Show people how much they saved during checkout
• Show the approximate shipping date and time
• If selling digital downloads, explain how they receive the product
• Be open about what you use their personal information for
• Offer a sample if they are hesitant about buying
• If you sell high priced items, offer financing options like payment instalments
• Test the checkout process to see if it works

• A receipt with the price
• A picture of the item
• Include links to the product, site, support and related product suggestions.
• Send a one to two week follow up to see how the product is
• Ask for a review
• Offer a discount code if they haven’t ordered again after a few months
• Ask them to join a loyalty program
• Ask for reviews in exchange for specials and discounts
• Ask if they want future notification alerts for specials and products
• Sell gift cards in your emails
• Send a promotion for abandoned carts
• Thank them for their purchase
• Show where the product was sent to
• Have an option to cancel the order
• Links to share on social media
• A link to track shipping
• The order number and a link to return instructions
• Include a survey link

Step 5: Support Pages

It’s nice to see what support pages need to be included on your e-commerce site. There are also a few support tips below.

• Social media pages
• Listed emails and contact forms
• Listed phone numbers
• A Live Chat area
• Forums
• FAQs
• Shipping details
• Sharing buttons
• Offer 24/7 customer support

That’s all there is to my e-commerce site check-list. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below or if you want to develop e-commerce site contact us on [email protected].