Shopping isn’t just about getting the best product for the best price – even though that’s a huge part of the deal.
But buyers also look for more. They want to find what they’re looking for quickly. Customers appreciate being able to navigate their options in a convenient manner. They want answers to their questions and solutions to their problems – the bottom line is they want a positive experience.
Ecommerce websites aren’t just designed to give shoppers the best products a company can offer – they should also be designed for a convenient experience.
This means they’re pleasant to look at. It also means they make it easy for customers to look around, find what they want, get their questions answered, and get their problem solved. It’s a philosophy integral to the design of modern ecommerce platforms for ecommerce websites.
But what specific ecommerce website design and web development qualities are great, and why? Let’s lead by example – here are some examples of great-looking, easy-to-navigate sites.
Best Ecommerce Websites: Which Ones Jump Off the Page?
Ecommerce business sense says that people like shopping online because of the convenience – why not take that to its logical conclusion?
Give them a site they’re glad they clicked on and a design that helps them find what they need. UX design is critical in ecommerce, and style never hurts either.
Here are 15 websites that nailed both.
1. TRUE
This site is on the right track from the beginning – as soon as you open it, what immediately jumps out at you?
The header image shows one of the products up close, and when we scroll down, we see numerous graphics. But they aren’t there just to look good, though they do. Each offers a benefit of the brand, even sneaking in a 30-day trial offer.
Their links for Shop, About, and Help each offer nicely categorized menus, helping users find their way around with the smallest number of clicks possible. Now that’s smart design.
2. Modus Nutrition
This is another page that gets down to business quickly, utilizing a header image that makes a statement – immediately placing the product ahead of common competitors within its industry.
After boasting about its superiority in comparison to whey, the site immediately says why. It goes on to list the benefits of the product and explain the way it could help the buyer.
Their menu lists colored links to major products, followed by quick directories to pages with customer testimonials and the science behind their products’ success. Both, especially consumer feedback, can be great for moving a product.
3. DocuSign
Sometimes simplicity is better. Sites that look neater often carry with them a greater degree of formality. It’s perfect for businesses that is talking about a formal subject and wants to exude trustworthiness to their viewers.
DocuSign goes straight to the point by offering users a chance to try their product for free, for 30-days, with no obligations. The simple blue and white color scheme makes you feel like you’ve literally walked into an office space – which is a place it would feel normal to talk about signing documents.
The perks of the product are plastered all over, and there’s plenty of contact information around so you always know how to take the next step.
4. New Chapter
Store locator? Check. Does newsletter offer a special deal to newcomers? Check. Products displayed in plain view? Check.
New Chapter ticks all the boxes with their site, and right below the products, they answer two important questions. The first is about finding a healthy daily regimen, given they are a health products website. The second is about discovering why New Chapter is unique.
There are links for both sections, and the shopping portal is complete with handy category filters and a helpful free shipping offer.
5. Skullcandy
This popular headphone company’s site oozes style, using a great selection of graphics and animated sections for added impact.
Various types of products are shown off on the homepage, and a link to the shopping portal is one of the first things you see. The portal allows you to search by categories, which include earbuds, headphones, and speakers. There’s even a filter to show you which products are on sale.
Their newsletter signup offer is quaint and out of the way, but sometimes that is better for a laid-back site design.
6. The Sill
This site has a look akin to many blogging pages, but that works here. This plant-focused business provides an example of ecommerce websites that offer a lot of avenues on the front page.
From multiple topics to read about and various protects to consider, users have plenty of choices from the beginning.
You can even shop new arrivals, which is a nice feature to make sure returning members don’t miss out on anything good – it’s always good when sites take care of their loyal regulars instead of just catering to newcomers.
7. Dollar Shave Club
As good as ecommerce website templates are, custom sites can represent products better. Dollar Shave Club boasts they’ll help customers look their best – so it’s only natural they have a good-looking website.
They delve right into the way the club works, peppering in simple graphics and helpful links throughout.
There are product offerings and answers to frequently asked questions right on the main page, giving customers a wealth of information without requiring more clicks.
8. Hebe Boutique
When you think of a boutique, you think of walking into a shop and seeing racks of clothes to choose from.
Hebe Boutique creates this experience in the digital realm. As soon as their website loads, you see featured products along with their brand and price.
They also have individual product collections set as subdomains, making it easy for shoppers to navigate to their desired product quickly. The company’s “about” section is at the bottom along with quick links to helpful pages like blogs, FAQ, and contact.
9. Packwire
A site about custom boxes should showcase creativity – and Packwire’s site does that in an animated fashion.
Scrolling in desktop view shows modules and images form together as they come into frame, literally putting whatever the customer needs right in front of them when they need it.
The About page takes a similar approach, although the contact page is a little simpler and straight-forward. It’s a smart choice and shows different design choices that can be used for different pages within the same domain.
10. Not Another Bill
This site has a nice theme that involves showing pictures of products complete with pricing information. From Kindle cases to drink sets, there’s a lot of variety.
The simple but elegant design uses minimalism perfectly, capturing the attention of viewers by replacing clutter with concise imagery. The best ecommerce websites exude values of the brand, and this one shows style and class in a big way.
There are options to personalize gifts, contact the company, and more, providing all necessary navigation options without going overboard.
11. Mini+Me
When you visit this site you’re immediately shown the product being worn by its intended target demographic. There’s a banner-style slideshow of little ones and families wearing the apparel.
In addition to showing popular products on the front page, they have a dedicated section for new arrivals. This is very convenient for shoppers who like to stay on top of Mini+Me’s latest additions.
There are individual sections of product categories including mother and child, father and child, and individuals – including infant, toddler, men, and women.
There’s also a dedicated link for gift certificates and wish lists near the cart button – it makes it easy to redeem any deals you have and keep track of the products you want to buy in the future.
12. KOI Computers
This site grabs you immediately with a great header graphic combining imagery and text in a masterful manner.
Slogans, value points, brands, and perks are all highlighted from the beginning, with sections like solutions and buyer feedback following soon after.
It’s another example of how more technical sites tend to be less artsy, but that could be smarter website development than a lack of creativity.
There are also quick links to pages for partners, current contracts, support, and more – plus easy-to-find contact info.
13. 450 GSM
Showing once again why simplicity is sometimes the best for substance, 450 GSM’s site takes a quaint approach to promote print services.
There are simple graphics highlighted by a catch color scheme on a white background. And while there’s not a lot in the way of flashy modules or eye-catching effects, you learn very quickly what the business has to offer you.
There are neatly ordered categories under the sections for print products, and a similar layout to help you get the support you need – whether that’s sizing, samples, or contacting someone from the company.
14. Home Science Tools
Rounding out our list is a site that shows all the cool things science has to offer, by offering a lot of cool science products.
Shoppers can filter the product catalog by the age of the person they’re shopping for, their interest, and a topic. There are plenty of great images, both of the products in action and up-close showcases of them along with pricing information and customer reviews based on a five-star scoring system.
The links at the bottom add a nice touch, using logos to show the payment types accepted and the accreditations the company has obtained.
Ecommerce Website Design: What Features Matter the Most?
When we’re talking about ecommerce websites for B2B commerce or even B2C commerce, there are a few things any site should have.
A reliable payment portal and detailed product catalog both ranked high are obvious choices. But a site also needs a design theme that complements its brand and message.
This means that in terms of the artistic design behind a site, it all depends on the type of message a site is trying to send. But as far as UX goes, there’s one simple rule – make things as easy for the viewer as you can.
Remember, shoppers are spending their time even if they haven’t spent any money. Minimizing the amount of clicking and searching they have to do is a big help – it may just make them stick around longer.
What are some of your favorite ecommerce websites?
Share in the comments below!
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