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Introduction

There’s no doubt that ecommerce is here to stay.

With technology becoming more and more advanced, and consumers becoming more and more comfortable shopping online, it’s no surprise that ecommerce sales are only going to continue to grow in the coming years.

If you’re thinking about starting an ecommerce business, or if you’re looking to take your existing ecommerce business to the next level, then you need to make sure you’re incorporating the latest and greatest features that customers will be looking for in 2022. Here are 25 must-have features for ecommerce sites in 2022:

A Mobile-Friendly Design

Ecommerce customers are increasingly reliant on their mobile devices in today’s marketplace. According to SaleCycle, in 2020, mobile devices accounted for 56% of all online transactions.

In other words, because most customers prefer to explore online stores on their phones, adding mobile optimisation in the design of your ecommerce website is critical.

To enhance your conversion rate and keep consumers satisfied, ensure your site design is automatically changed for the screen size and form of phones.

A Mobile App

Consider creating a mobile app for your store in addition to having a mobile-friendly store where customers can make purchases from any device.

Mobile apps help you to keep your brand in the thoughts of your clients by displaying your app icon/brand emblem on the smart devices they use the most. You don’t have to wait for clients to open a browser or another app for social media or email to see your most recent sales messaging. You may send such promotional updates to any customers who have alerts enabled via your app.

Home Depot offers an app that allows customers to shop for products online and have them shipped to their homes or reserved for in-store pickup.

A User-Friendly Search Function

One of the most important features of any ecommerce site is a user-friendly search function. Customers should be able to easily find what they’re looking for on your site without having to click through multiple pages or search through a long list of products.

Make sure your search function is prominently displayed on your homepage and that it’s easy to use. You may also want to consider adding advanced search options, such as the ability to search by product type, price range, or color.

Easy Navigation

Another important feature of any ecommerce site is easy navigation. Customers should be able to easily find their way around your site, whether they’re looking for specific products or just browsing.

Make sure your navigation menu is prominently displayed and that it’s easy to use. You may also want to consider adding drop-down menus or breadcrumb trails to help customers easily find their way around your site.

High-Quality Product Images

High-quality product images are essential for any ecommerce site. Customers want to be able to see what they’re buying, so make sure your product images are clear and well-lit.

In addition to product images, you may also want to consider adding product videos. Videos can help customers get a better idea of what a product looks like and how it works.

Product Videos

In addition to product images, product videos can be a great way to show customers what your products look like and how they work. Videos can be especially helpful for products that are difficult to describe in writing, such as clothing or electronics.

Curated Product Recommendations

Product recommendations are a great way to help customers find new products they may be interested in. By displaying recommendations on your product pages, you can increase the chances that customers will find something they want to buy.

24/7 Customer Service

Customer service is important for any business, but it’s especially important for ecommerce businesses. Since customers are buying products sight unseen, they may have questions or need help with their order. By offering 24/7 customer service, you can ensure that your customers can always get the help they need.

A Simplified and Secure Checkout Process

The checkout process is one of the most important aspects of an ecommerce site. If it’s too complicated or takes too long, customers will abandon their carts. And if it’s not secure, customers will be hesitant to enter their credit card information. By simplifying and securing your checkout process, you can increase conversions and sales.

Integrations With Popular Payment Methods

Customers want to be able to pay with their preferred payment method. By integrating with popular payment methods, you can make it easy for customers to pay and increase the chances that they’ll complete their purchase.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customer reviews and ratings are a great way to build trust with potential customers. By displaying reviews and ratings on your product pages, you can show customers that your products are high-quality and that other people have been happy with their purchase.

Generous Return Policy

A generous return policy is important for customers who are buying products sight unseen. By offering a generous return policy, you can give customers peace of mind and increase the chances that they’ll complete their purchase.

A Blog or Content Section

No matter what you’re selling, a blog or content section is a valuable addition to your ecommerce site. Why? Because it allows you to show off your industry expertise, build trust with potential customers, and drive traffic to your site.

If you’re not sure what to write about, consider creating buyer’s guides, product roundups, or even just helpful tips and advice related to your products.

Filtering and Sorting Options

Filtering and sorting options are essential for any ecommerce site. They allow customers to quickly find the products they’re looking for, and they make it easy to compare similar products side-by-side.

Make sure your filtering and sorting options are easy to find and use, and that they’re relevant to the products you’re selling. For example, if you sell clothes, your filtering options should include things like size, colour, and style.

Extensive Product Information

Your customers need to know everything about the products they’re considering buying. That’s why it’s important to include extensive product information on your ecommerce site.

In addition to basic details like the product name, price, and description, make sure to include things like size charts, materials, care instructions, and even videos or images that show the product in use.

A Compare Button

If you sell products that come in different variations, like different sizes or colours, a compare button is a must-have feature. This allows customers to easily compare the different options side-by-side so that they can find the perfect product for their needs.

FAQ Section for the Store

An FAQ section is always a valuable addition to an ecommerce site. It not only helps to improve the customer experience by providing answers to common questions, but can also reduce the number of customer service inquiries.

When creating an FAQ section, be sure to cover all the basics, such as shipping, returns, and payment methods. You can also use this space to address any common concerns or misconceptions about your products or company.

Fraud Detection Integration

Fraud is a serious problem for ecommerce businesses. In fact, it’s estimated that fraud costs businesses billions of dollars each year.

To protect your business from fraudsters, be sure to integrate fraud detection into your ecommerce site. This way, you can flag suspicious transactions and take action to prevent them from occurring.

There are several different fraud detection tools available, so be sure to do your research to find the one that’s right for your business.

Easy Order Tracking

Order tracking is another important feature for ecommerce sites. Customers want to be able to easily track their orders from start to finish, so they can know when to expect their purchase.

There are a number of different ways to provide order tracking on your site. The most common is to integrate with a shipping company, such as UPS or FedEx. This way, customers can input their tracking number and see the latest updates on the status of their shipment.

Another option is to develop your own order-tracking system. This can be more complex and time-consuming, but it can also provide more flexibility and customisation.

Whichever option you choose, be sure to provide clear and up-to-date information on the status of each order.

Coupon Codes

With the rise of online shopping, more and more people are looking for ways to save money. One way to do this is by using coupon codes.

Coupon codes can be a great way to entice customers to shop with you. They can also help you build customer loyalty and repeat business.

Make sure that you offer coupon codes that are easy to find and use. You should also make sure that the codes are up to date and that they work.

Multilingual Support

As the world becomes more connected, it’s important to offer multilingual support on your ecommerce site.

More and more people are shopping online from all over the world. If you want to appeal to these customers, you need to offer support in their language.

There are a few different ways to offer multilingual support. You can use automatic translation, hire translators, or use a combination of both

Whichever method you choose, make sure that you offer high-quality translations. This will help to ensure that your customers have a positive experience on your site.

Contact Page

A contact page is a must-have for any ecommerce site.

This page should include your contact information, such as your email address, phone number, and mailing address. It should also include a form that customers can use to contact you.

Make sure that your contact page is easy to find and that it’s easy to use. You should also make sure that you respond to customer inquiries in a timely manner.

Featured Products

When customers visit your ecommerce site, you want to ensure they see your best products front and centre. Feature your most popular, bestselling, or newest products on your homepage to grab attention and encourage sales. You can also use product recommendations to suggest other items customers might be interested in.

Email Opt-In

Email marketing is a powerful tool for driving traffic and sales, so make sure you include an email opt-in on your ecommerce site. Offer a discount or other incentive to encourage sign-ups, and then send regular emails with updates, new product announcements, and exclusive deals.

Personal Data Policy

With data privacy becoming increasingly important, it’s essential to have a personal data policy in place. This should outline what data you collect, how you use it, and what rights customers have. Be transparent and upfront about your data policy to build trust with potential and current customers.

Loyalty Program

With the current state of the economy, people are looking for ways to save money where they can. Many businesses have started to offer loyalty programs as a way to encourage customers to keep coming back.

Loyalty programs can take many different forms, but the most common is a points system where customers earn points for every purchase they make. These points can then be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.

Another popular type of loyalty program is a tiered system where customers move up to different levels based on how much they spend. The higher levels usually come with additional benefits like free shipping or early access to sales.

Including a loyalty program in your ecommerce site design is a great way to show your customers that you value their business and want to keep them coming back.

Conclusion

While it is difficult to predict exactly what will be popular in ecommerce in four years, we can make some educated guesses based on current trends. In 2023, shoppers will expect ecommerce sites to have fast load times, a user-friendly interface, and a personalised experience. They will also want to be able to purchase items through their mobile devices and will appreciate sites that offer free shipping and returns. To stay ahead of the competition, ecommerce businesses should keep these trends in mind and work to implement them on their own sites.

EZ Technologies is a digital agency in Nigeria that offers mobile app, eCommerce and web design services. We help you connect with your customers and grow your business with creative, results-driven websites and mobile applications. Get in touch with us to book a free consultation.

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