Maybe we’ve had one too many run-ins with a combination of lethally terrible eCommerce designs, but we’ve had it up to here with the lousy checkout experiences. As Web designers, nothing bothers us more than lazy or shoddy construction, especially where products and money are concerned. If you’re designing an eCommerce site for your client, the finished product will be your client’s lifeblood: As such, we at least feel you should take a few extra steps to ensure the project is solid, Internet gold. With that in mind, we’re willing to put our money where our mouth is. Below, you’ll find our bootcamp methods and resources to get that crappy eCommerce site running like a true champion. Starting with:

  1. Not Enough Product Copy: If you’re going to buy something, typically you want to know as much about it as possible. It’s human nature to want to know we’re getting a deal, and without the proper amount of product information, your client’s customers aren’t likely to stick around. When designing an eCommerce site, be sure to always include enough product information. If the products are clothes, this means materials used, measurement, ratings, fit style, etc. If it’s any other product, think about what the customer might like to know (even if you don’t have an interest in it) and then be sure to include that. When in doubt, always air on the side of more information, rather than cutting the viewer short.
  2. Skip the Accounts: Another thing that bothers us is the obligatory account. If we’re ordering a one-off item from a site, we don’t want to have to sign up for an account with the company. Unless you have a darn good reason for doing so, leave this kind of functionality out of the program. If you mush include the option to create an account, feel free to do it after the checkout process has been completed. It’s far less annoying, and you’re much more likely to get takers that way.
  3. Create a Query Bar: Lastly, we’re sick and tired of not being able to search—and search adequately— for the products we want. When creating an eCommerce site, always include a functional and advanced query bar, that way the viewer doesn’t have to waste time scrolling through mountains of content. Get them to the stuff they want, and then take their money. It’s that simple.