E-commerce is more than just branding, taints or marketing your product. There are specific common E-commerce features which we certainly need to add to our e-commerce website which are important. These presumably are the basic features. However, more importantly, there are few ecommerce features you just can’t afford to miss.

Some of these e-commerce features give flexibility, ease of business, improves customer experience, propagates brand image, and market your products better. At times the most obvious features are just missed while you are developing an e-commerce website.

Several web e-commerce development websites uses BigCommerce, Shopify, Volusion and similar such platforms. However, there are some intuitive and unique features of e-commerce that needs to be included for your store.

Device Optimization

This does seem like the most obvious feature. However, did you know there are 78% of e-commerce websites which are not multiple device optimization? This includes desktops, smartphones, and tabs.

To ensure your website is mobile friendly, you can do the following:

• You can take a mobile-friendly test to check the usability
• Use the top navigation menu
• Make the checkout process simple over mobile
• Keep search options for easy browsing
• Add rich snippets. The rich snippet will contain more information such as reviews, rating, etc
• Improve your website speed
• Use APM Carousel. This component lets you display products in a carousel format that can be easily browsed.

High-Resolution Photos and Images

Images play a very vital part when it comes to the success of any e-commerce business. Using the right resolution can showcase the quality of the product. While it’s essential you add multiple angles of the product, care should also be taken so that the image resolution is maintained.

Search Functionality

Search seems to be one of the basic functionalities, but many online stores miss this from their e-commerce features list. Search helps users find products more quickly. However, this should not be restricted to just search.

Customer support

Yet another important aspect which is totally missed at times is customer support. Customer support should be readily and easily reachable at all times. If a user is unable to resolve issues immediately then this puts your brand credibility at stake.

Sufficient Information

Users like when the website looks transparent and provides all information in hand. While loading with too much information might not help. However, providing sufficient information and description of the products is helpful. This includes product description, dimension, make of the product and related details.

Website security

Security and reliability are one of the core e-commerce features which can’t be missed. Simple security features such as firewalls, malware protection and using HTTPS to secure connection are basic features which should be incorporated by default.

Comments and Reviews

Comments and reviews help you improve your business as well as lets users know more about your product. Rich snippets added about products can give enough insights to users. Shoppers always tend to read reviews before deciding to buy a product.

Special Offers

Special features, discount, coupons are inseparable must-have e-commerce features. As part of the key features of e-marketing strategies, most e-commerce platforms have these e-commerce features. In most this is done by using email, messages, social media. Also, you can use the header section of your website to show special offers.

Wish List

Wish List is a simple strategy where users can add products they would later decide to buy. This is like a bookmark. Wish Lists can also be shared with family and friends and is a nice way to increase awareness about your brand.

Find in Store

Not all e-commerce stores might have stores around. However, in case you have stores then this is a good e-commerce feature to add. 72% of online shopper’s research about products online before buying a product.

Payment Gateway

To improve your chances to sell a product, you need to support multiple payment gateways. Several users prefer a store which supports multiple payment options. Not only credit and debit cards but you can also integrate popular digital wallets.

Order and Inventory Management

Inventory and Purchase order management Software are again extremely essential e-commerce features. Order management lets you track the number of orders, COD and other details. On the other hand, inventory management lets you track the inventories you have in stock and out of stock.

Reporting

You can create multiple types of reports. The reports help in giving better insights about product performance. Many e-commerce development tools have inbuilt reporting features. In certain cases, you may need more detailed reporting based on your requirement.

Logistics

Logistics helps you maintain your shipping details. With this, you can update your buyers about the shipping details as well let them track it. This lets users manage the tracking from your business website rather than depending on the courier vendor.

Website Analytics

Analytics can be done using several solutions. This can be as simple as implementing web beacons over your websites. Most platforms provide extensive analytics solutions. You can also use popular solutions such as Google analytics. Use filters to show relevant content based on these analytical insights/.

Content Management Systems

This is a very helpful e-commerce feature which can ease out several complex tracking. An e-commerce CMS can be used to manage logos, banners, Links, footer, header, product pages, and several others. Most e-commerce development tools such as Shopify, WooCommerce and other e-commerce solution have inbuilt CMS. This is not a feature that gets displayed to the end user but can ease the store management.

Blogs

Blogs have content which can drive more traffic. Based on your business domain you can post periodical blogs which can drive more traffic. The advantage is more people will know about your brand and might eventually buy your products. Engaging blogs can drive a lot of traffic.

This article is contributed by Code Wilson, Marketing Manager at AIS Technolabs – Web Ecommerce Development  Company

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