In the modern age of eCommerce, virtual stores that ship products directly have all but replaced brick and mortar shops. Whether you want to become the next big name in business or just break even, you need a way to set your brand apart from the competition. Effective web design sets your brand apart by allowing a simple and efficient experience that leaves customers satisfied.

Make a Good First Impression

In the fast-paced world of online shopping, consumers can move through hundreds of sites in just a few minutes. Getting their attention and directing them to your products involves more than just placing a loud image to draw their eye. Customers need to see that your brand is reliable and offers a high quality product, and this needs to be communicated in the few seconds it takes for them to decide whether or not to exit the page. A design that effectively meets these goals is direct; it instantly communicates the quality of your product. It also points the customer directly to where they can purchase your product from your online store.

One effective strategy, used by smokingthings.com and others, offers a 10 percent discount on a consumer’s first order. Nothing grabs attention like a discount, and placing it front and center on your page creates an incentive to shop before your consumers even see what you’re selling.

Maximize Screen Time

When improving your web design, an important factor to consider is how well your site is suited for mobile devices. Nine out of ten consumers use two or more devices at the same time; if someone is browsing your website, there is a good chance they’re doing it on a mobile device. No customer is going to have a good impression of your business if your mobile site isn’t adapted to the platform. Ensuring that your site is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate across all devices ensures that your customers will easily find what they’re looking for no matter what device they are using.

Ultimately consumers want to buy your product; they want to be told where to go to buy that product, and they want as little distraction as possible between themselves and the checkout button. An effective site design guides the consumer to your product quickly, efficiently and directly. Being able to reliably provide this experience will set your brand apart from every other virtual store, and allow your online business to thrive.