top of page
Writer's pictureVMD

8 Essential Elements Every E-Commerce Website Needs to Succeed

Updated: 23 hours ago

Building a successful e-commerce website isn’t just about having an online store—it’s about crafting an experience that keeps customers engaged and drives sales.


In a world where 58.99% of all internet traffic comes from mobile devices​, and online shopping continues to surge with global e-commerce sales projected to reach $6.3 trillion by the end of 2024​, your website needs to deliver more than just a pretty layout.


To stand out in 2024, your e-commerce site must be designed to connect with users, guide them through smooth navigation, and make the buying process effortless. Here are 8 e-commerce website essential elements your website needs to succeed.


8 Essential Elements Every E-commerce Website needs to succeed cover photo with a hand holding a card entering their info in a ecommerce site to purchase items

  1. Mobile-First Design: Don’t Get Left Behind

    It’s no longer enough to have a site that "works" on mobile—it has to thrive there.


    With 58.99% of global website traffic coming from mobile devices​, ensuring your e-commerce site is mobile-first isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity. Brands like Zara and Etsy know this well—they’ve optimised their mobile shopping experiences to allow users to browse quickly and check out with minimal hassle.


  2. Visuals that Tell the Story

    Quality visuals do more than just display your product—they tell its story.


    Studies show that consumers are 85% more likely to purchase after watching a product video​. Sites like Nike and Warby Parker use a mix of high-quality images and lifestyle videos to connect emotionally with customers, showing their products in real-life scenarios.


  3. Easy, Intuitive Navigation: Keep Them Engaged

    If your customers can’t find what they’re looking for in a few clicks, they’ll leave.


    38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive. Top e-commerce sites like Amazon and Zappos excel in keeping navigation simple—clearly defined categories, easy-to-find search bars, and effective filters all contribute to better user experience.


  4. Fast Load Times: Don’t Keep Them Waiting

    Speed is essential. A delay of even one second in load time can decrease conversions by 7%.


    With e-commerce powerhouses like Shopify leading the charge on site speed optimisation, businesses can’t afford to have slow-loading pages, especially with mobile users. Compress your images, minimise redirects, and use reliable hosting to ensure faster load times.


  5. Smooth Checkout: Fewer Steps, More Conversions

    According to Baymard Institute, 69.99% of online shopping carts are abandoned, with a major reason being complicated checkout processes​.


    Brands like Glossier make checkout as easy as possible by offering guest checkout and one-click payment options like Apple Pay and PayPal. Streamlining this process means more sales and fewer abandoned carts.


  6. Personalisation: Make it Relevant

    Personalisation can increase conversion rates by 10-15%.


    Amazon and Sephora excel in recommending products based on user behavior and purchase history. Tailoring the shopping experience to individual customers not only boosts engagement but also drives repeat business.


  7. Accessibility: Inclusive Design is Key

    An inclusive website means more customers can shop.


    An estimated 15% of the global population has some form of disability​, so accessibility is not something you can overlook. Sites like Apple are pioneers in making their websites accessible, ensuring everyone, regardless of ability, can navigate with ease.


  8. Social Proof: Build Trust Through Reviews

    Studies show that 92% of online shoppers read reviews before making a purchase.


    Sites like Best Buy and Wayfair have user-generated reviews prominently displayed to help build trust and credibility. Automating post-purchase review requests is a great way to gather authentic feedback and encourage future purchases.


a person working on a laptop for a website design and getting inspiring from a moodboard for a design

Bringing Your Vision to Life with Vivid Media & Design


Creating a killer e-commerce site doesn’t have to be a headache. That’s where we come in! Vivid Media & Design (VMD) knows how to make your store shine. From sleek mobile-first designs to fast load times and seamless checkout, we’ve got the skills to take your website from “meh” to “wow.”


Need a site that works flawlessly on any device? We’ll handle that. Want eye-catching visuals and smooth navigation? We’ve got it covered. We’re all about building e-commerce stores that attract customers, keep them engaged, and make sure they click that 'buy now' button.


Ready to level up your e-commerce game? Let’s make it happen—reach out to VMD today!

3 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page