Setting a Good Example for E-Commerce Websites
Lately it seems as though all of my friends assume that because of my profession, I can help them find whatever they need on the internet. However, I must say that I was a tad bit unprepared when my friend told me that he needed to find a breast pump. Once he explained what it was for (to help feed his newborn son) and why he needed it so quickly (his wife’s maternity leave was almost up), I set off on my breast pump hunt. Low and behold, I discovered an exceptional (from an SEO standpoint) website in the process.
The site that I finally settled on purchasing from was BreastPumpsDirect.com. And to tell the truth I was quite surprised by what I found. This site is actually a pretty good example of an E-commerce store.
Below, I’ve listed some of the more defining features of the site. If you’re in the process of building an online store or just refining your existing one, you may want to consider adding these features to your design. I use these features in all of my personal sites, and it’s nice to see others trying the same approach. It helps to reinforce my ideas.
Intuitive Navigation - The navigation is straightforward and intuitive. There are primary links in both text and image format. This pleases both visitors and search engines.
Useful Content - Aside from being link bait, the “Breast Pump Resources†section of this site can work wonders for conversion rates and traffic.
Blog - There was even a “Mommy Blog.†This feature was not yet active but we all know the power of blogs and this is undoubtedly a great addition to an online store.
Consumer Reviews - The beauty of a reviews section, is that it a can be a disguised method of product promotion. I always say that honesty is the best policy, but who says that means you have to post every submitted review. Ask friends who have used the product (regardless of where it was purchased) to write reviews. It is important to note that having a couple of negative reviews in the mix is not necessarily a bad thing.
Authoritative Appearance - Make the store look more like an authoritative source and less like a shopping cart. This will convey trust, which will improve conversions, answer customer questions, and make your site more link worthy.