The Complete Checklist for E-commerce Website Development

Are you looking to create the perfect e-commerce website? Are you struggling to add the right website features to build the perfect online store?

If so, then this article is for you!

We’ve compiled the complete list of design requirements for creating the best e-commerce website to boost your sales and make your store successful.

So, let’s get started!

What Design Features Should My Online Store Have?

Suppose you're designing a new business or eCommerce website. In that case, you'll need to ensure that it covers the minimum requirements for a good eCommerce store. You'll also have to work with your developer to add key features that may help boost your sales, improve SEO or improve customer interaction with the site.

Here are some of the essential web design features to add to your eCommerce website:

1.   Make Your Site Responsive

Unless you want your website to lose mobile customers, make sure it’s responsive. Since Google has stopped indexing sites that aren’t mobile responsive, it makes no sense to leave this out anyways.

WordPress themes have made this very easy as they are designed to be responsive. You can also ask your developer to add plugins that make your site responsive. If you're designing your website in the old-fashioned coding method, you may have to develop two versions- one for mobile and one for desktop.

2.   Install Secure Payment Methods

Ecommerce stores are all about getting the customers' trust. Always try to install different payment modules on your site to facilitate the customer better. Some customers prefer to buy with cash on delivery, while others buy with a credit card.

Regardless of which payment methods you're using, ensure that they are properly secured when designing your site.

3.   Use a CMS That’s Easy to Use  

Unless you have a technical team managing your website, you’ll have to know your way around the backend if you’re going to manage it yourself. If your website is designed using coding, then good luck with trying to make any changes later on without an experienced coder’s help.

However, suppose your website's designed with an easy-to-use CMS system like WordPress or Wix. In that case, you'll be able to add products, new content, and other features yourself.

Besides, the cost of web development in Pakistan is much cheaper if your site is designed with WordPress as compared to code. You’ll also get the job done much quicker!

4.   Add Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Other Essential Documents to Your Store

Since your eCommerce store will be dealing with customers' personal information, you'll need a privacy policy document. This will highlight how you use the customer's private data, which third-party apps you share it with, and other factors.

You’ll also need a 'terms of use' document, which gives you legal protection if someone abuses your website. Another essential document to add to your website is the returns policy.

5.   Make Sure the Design is SEO Friendly

Doing SEO with an unresponsive website or a website that’s too cluttered is almost impossible without changing the design. So, why not design your website according to SEO requirements the first time?

Suppose you have a competent web developer that knows the importance of SEO. In that case, they will help create an SEO-friendly layout and ensure that the site is optimized according to search engine requirements.

This may include adding SEO plugins or simply making sure that the code isn’t too heavy, the website isn’t too cluttered, and images are compressed.

6.   Add External Marketing Tools

If you're running an eCommerce store, you'll have to plan for marketing ahead of time. If your strategy includes email marketing, ensure the email marketing modules are installed beforehand. You may also want to add content management tools or workflow management tools to improve your website's performance.

7.   Get the Right Hosting and Domain Name

Your domain name should ideally be your brand name, but if you find a suitable alternative that’s marketable, then go for it.

Choosing hosting plans is a bit more complicated. You'll have to make sure that the hosting package provides enough RAM, bandwidth, and space for an eCommerce store to run smoothly. Also, don't forget to secure your site with an SSL certificate, as this has become compulsory for eCommerce stores.

The best thing about a reliable web development service in Pakistan is that it covers the complete requirements for a successful website. They will also provide affordable packages with the lowest web development price in Pakistan for high-quality, expert services.