Making sales in your sleep. Easy and user-friendly. These are the qualities online retailers look for when offering the ability to shop on their website.
What attributes are important when planning out a website made specifically for shopping?
Read on to discover more.

Names Are Everything When It Comes to a Domain For Retail Website Design

Before planning out retail website design, a name is the most crucial component. It should be something that is easy for customers to remember. There are a few pointers when looking for a solid domain.

If a company name has already been picked, keep these details in mind for the domain:

• When at all possible, use a dot com. This is what most people are used to typing when searching the internet.
• Be aware of other trademarked products, and make sure that the company is not too close to something else that is under copyright.
• Pick a domain name that will work as the company grows. Even if a company is starting out with only a little stock, the name should still fit even as it grows and expands.

Have Stock Ready To Go

Even if the store is not as fully stocked as envisioned, it is important to have a few pieces on hand that can sell quickly.

Customers need the opportunity to pick from a small selection of stock. If the company focuses on providing fitness equipment, they should have the chance to order a few things, like yoga mats and DVDs.

Other items can be ordered for retail selling later on. In the case of online fitness store, clothing could be added at a later date, to sweeten the deal for shoppers.

Plan on Branding That Makes Products Stand Out

Some products will benefit from having the company’s name and logo on them.

Offering promotional items that can encourage purchases and make people aware of the company.

Consider branding items such as:

• Pens and pencils
• Totes and bags
• Magnets
• Mugs
• Keychains
• T-shirts and sweatshirts

Branding goes beyond offering items with the company logo on it. This includes marketing materials to distribute to other companies and even how the website is designed.

Having a simple tagline and logo can go a long way in creating brand recognition that lasts. Learn more here.

Creating a Social Media Plan That Works

Social Media continues to grow and be centered around almost all products and services. Everyone from nationally recognized brands to small companies has invested time and money in Social Media.

Having a presence makes it simple for shoppers to take a look at what is available, and decide if they want to make a purchase.

Companies connect with shoppers on platforms like:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Snapchat

And new forms of social media are coming out all the time. Not every retail website design needs every form of social media included.

Review this list of social media influencers, to get a better idea of what is popular on certain platforms. Then adjust as needed depending on the business.

Continue to Plan and Grow

Retail website design will always change and evolve as time goes on. Staying on top of trends and changes helps, and can encourage further growth.

Let us help you get the sales you are looking for and avoid mistakes along the way.

Check out our blog on common design mistakes and make sure you aren’t committing one of these.