5 Things to Improve an eCommerce Website

I know that when it comes to those trying to help others, every dollar of your budget must be used effectively. I have assembled this list of the things that come up in conversations with stake-holders of these nonprofit websites often express. Here are a few tips on making your non-profit organization's website more effective:

  1. Make the website social media sharing friendly.

    With the explosion of social sharing to gather opinions from user's connections on social media, you want to make it easy for people to post your product to their feeds. You should consider including share links for major networks on every product page of your website. Feedback is critical in the decision process for many buyers, and nothing is a bigger boost to a consumer than peer feedback.

  2. Don’t hide your address and phone number.

    Most online consumers believe that the best way to build trust with people is to show that you’re real. Studies have shown that simply putting a phone number and address builds this trust & is often the one piece of verification people are looking for when they browse your website. It is also critical that you have any additional contact information available listed on a Contact page, such as a Shipping Dept, Customer Service Hotline, or Sales phone number. It may also be required by law depending on where you do business, so check with your local Chamber of Commerce.

  3. Build on your internal search.

    This metric of data is often overlooked and should not be. This valuable stream of information is an easy to use and is a great way to help you deliver users to their intended destination quickly. Tools such as Google Analytics or a CMS Search Report can track the terms used by users on the website search to help you see if users are finding what they wanted as well as what they wanted and you didn't have. It can also help you create a list of landing pages to build so that your customers can clearly find what they want to buy from you.

  4. Make the website mobile friendly.

    With the explosion of mobile traffic to eCommerce websites, you want to make it so people can view your website anyway they get there and on any device. People will just leave if they can't find and easily checkout from your website. The growth of people who are using their mobile device to buy stuff online is staggering and only expected to rise. The data doesn't lie, every organization saw a huge rise in traffic when they make the decision to go responsive.

  5. Utilize Analytics.

    Knowing your Customers is the Key to Success and when it comes to knowing what’s working and what is not, data is the answer. The more the better. Using the date collected of important metrics like who, where they followed the link from, and do they purchase on the website can provide you with some very clear insight into your user actions. The insights it provides are great for informing future decisions about the website and improving the effectiveness of your marketing & landing pages.