Exercise #1

 Simple definition: 

     The purchasing and selling of goods and services over the Internet is known as e-commerce. Computers, tablets, cellphones, and other smart devices are used to conduct the survey. Today, almost anything can be purchased via e-commerce.

  Essential features:

1. User-Friendly Design

Perhaps the most important feature customers want in an e-commerce site is a good user experience. If your customers can’t find their way around your website or they struggle to find what they’re looking for, they will likely move swiftly on to one of the many other online retailers.

Prioritize customer experience by:

• Creating a simple, straightforward, high-quality homepage.
• Including a search bar.
• Clearly listing category pages in the navigation bar.
• Focusing on creating a responsive website. 

2. Mobile-Friendly Features

In the modern marketplace, e-commerce consumers are increasingly reliant on their mobile devices. According to SaleCycle, mobile devices were used in 56% of all online purchases in 2020.

In other words, most customers want to browse online stores on their phones, so including mobile optimization in your e-commerce website design is vital. 

Ensure your web design is automatically modified for the screen size and shape of phones to increase your conversion rate and keep customers happy.

3. Multiple Payment Options

Cart abandonment is often a big issue for online retailers. 

To improve your chance of sealing the deal in the final checkout process on your website, be sure to make the purchasing stage as easy as possible for your customers by offering multiple payment methods in the shopping cart.

In addition to offering debit and credit card options, consider adding options for payment providers like PayPal or Stripe. You could also add plugins that have a buy now, pay later functionality to encourage customers to press the “purchase” button.

4. 24/7 Customer Service

A big part of a successful customer experience is providing helpful, accessible customer service. According to Microsoft, 90% of Americans consider customer service an important feature when deciding whether or not to purchase from a company. 

Include a 24/7 customer service chatbot as one of your e-commerce websites features to address customer needs at any time. Plugins like Zendesk or LivePerson make it easy for you to add this feature to your website for a small fee.

5. User Reviews

Include a section on your e-commerce website where customers can read real product reviews. 

With 79% of customers trusting reviews as much as recommendations from their friends, reviews are essential for any successful online business. 

Because your customers won’t have the chance to see a product in person, they’ll often rely on what previous buyers have said about it. 

6. User Features and Discounts

Customers like to feel that they’re getting a good deal and being treated differently from other customers. Offer personalized deals, offers, and other user features to give them this type of attractive, customized experience.

Offer user accounts where customers can access loyalty pricing offers, their personalized wishlist, and account history. You can also use an e-commerce platform automated emailing system to send targeted special offers to loyal customers.

7. Extensive Product Information

Shopping online has become extremely common, but many consumers still feel hesitant about making online purchases — especially from smaller brands that they may be unfamiliar with. 

A big disadvantage of online shopping for consumers is that they are unable to see or try the product before making a purchase.

In order to convince your customers that your product is high-quality and worth their money, be sure to offer as much product information as possible. 

On your product pages, include detailed product descriptions that offer information about size, material, color, ingredients, and place of origin. Offer high-quality product images that show the product from every angle. For clothing, be sure to include images of a model wearing the item. 

Add related products sections on product pages, as this functionality can help consumers find other products that feel personalized to their tastes and needs.