Todd Sumamno
E-commerce is a thriving business domain because buyers appreciate the convenience of shopping in a few clicks. Everyone is pressed for time, and nothing seems better than ordering products online and receiving them at one’s doorstep. Not surprisingly, the retail e-commerce sector reached a staggering $925 billion in 2023, accounting for a 15.6% share in retail sales. Also, total sales in the segment crossed the $1.1 trillion mark.
As an entrepreneur, you have valid reasons to join the bandwagon and make the most of the opportunity. However, this spells stiff competition, even in specific niches. For example, a fashion brand selling online in the US may have thousands of other labels to compete with. You may have comparable prices and similar products, making the race even more competitive.
A compelling website is the best way to attract buyers and convert them into loyal customers. However, startups running on tight budgets hardly have enough resources to create a fancy website. Fortunately, you can create a website without spending a fortune, provided you are creative and money-savvy.
In this article, we will share a few actionable, budget-friendly web design tips for e-commerce startups.
Know Your Audience
Startups should try to achieve more with less, and the best way to do it is by knowing your audience. However, according to Semrush statistics, only 43% of businesses do it before working on their selling strategies. Although audience research requires an initial investment, it can give huge paybacks when it comes to creating audience-focused web design.
Digging deep into buyer demographics, preferences, and behaviors enables you to eliminate guesswork from the design process. When you build for your buyers, they are more likely to stay longer, explore more products, convert faster, and order higher volumes. They may even return for repeat shopping and recommend your brand to others if they like the browsing experience.
Consider Using an AI Website Builder
Forbes notes that the average cost of designing a basic website in 2023 was over $2000. You may have to spend more if your e-commerce store needs to showcase a big catalog with multiple products. Features such as virtual try-rooms and sizing tools can add to the cost. Overall, development and subsequent maintenance can burn a hole in your wallet.
Hocoos suggests utilizing an AI website builder to design a business-ready website in a few seconds. You can generate ready content, images, and design elements by simply answering a few questions. It means you do not have to hire a developer or outsource web development, as you have a DIY solution at your fingertips.
You can even use AI tools to edit your website if you already have one. With these tools in action, you need not stress about falling behind trends and competitors or struggling to add more features to your startup website.
Keep it Simple
Whether you generate a web design with an AI tool or get it designed by a pro, simplicity should be a priority. Minimalism is trending in web design, and it is practical, too, because users prefer easy browsing experiences. Recent statistics show that global online shoppers spend only five minutes on retail websites on average. That means your store should have a simple interface to win them over in a few minutes.
Simplicity means users should be able to find what they want in a minimum number of clicks. Besides simple navigation and minimalist design, concise content enables visitors to focus on the information that actually drives buying decisions. Also, cut the clutter and distractions that take their attention away from what really matters.
Ensure Mobile-Responsiveness
Startups should not overlook mobile responsiveness when it comes to web design. Data shows that over three-quarters of retail website visits in the US in the fourth quarter of 2023 were via smartphones. These devices also generated a whopping two-thirds of online shopping orders. The numbers were 22% for website traffic and 33% of all purchases for desktops.
These statistics underscore the significance of mobile-friendly web designs for new businesses competing with other startups and big players. Besides helping you capture a share in the mobile market, a responsive design helps with search engine optimization. Your website is likely to rank higher, resulting in visibility, traffic, and credibility.
In conclusion, the success of e-commerce startups hinges on their web presence. With buyers being spoiled for choice, you need to ensure they find your web store attractive so that they stop long enough to explore products and consider buying them. You may struggle to design a website without toppling your tight budget. However, it is a task you can easily accomplish despite your constraints. These tips can help you achieve your goal and build a sustainable business from scratch.
Brittany
