WooCommerce vs Shopify (2023): What's The Best Ecommerce Solution?
Comparing Shopify and WooCommerce? Explore pros, cons, pricing, customisation, and support to find the best eCommerce platform for your online store.
8 minutes
2 Jan
eCommerce Website Design: What is an Ecommerce Web Design?
May 13, 2023
9 minutes
Ecommerce web design is the act of building a website for a business so that it can sell its products to customers online. If you’re a business, regardless of whether you’re selling goods and/or services, you can’t afford to not have an online presence.A good business website not only retains old customers and stops them from seeking competitors, it attracts new customers as well. Ecommerce web design is a valuable tool, which is why we’ve compiled this guide to help you understand how it works.
How do you design an ecommerce website?
Ecommerce websites revolve entirely around your business. Its design should visually reflect the colour-scheme and imagery associated with your brand. Its functionality should provide your target audience with access to the products they want, as well as the customer support that they need. On top of that, a good ecommerce website ranks high on search engine results, so it can always be more visible than the competition.That’s why our approach to building websites for our clients involves extensive consultations so we can understand your business and what makes it great. We understand that a business needs to do more than just look good. Our designs look great, but they will also net you customers and sales.
What pages appear on an ecommerce website
The vast majority of ecommerce websites will follow this model and feature these specific types of pages (after all, why fix something that isn’t broken?). When we draft the mockups for your website, these are the types of pages that you can expect.
Home page
The home page is important to nail, because it is the first thing any prospective customers will see. It needs to be visually engaging, but not overwhelming. It needs to be short and succinct, but it needs to have enough information so that the customer knows they’re in the right place. It needs to encourage customers to explore your products, while also giving them easy access to what they are specifically looking for.In short, home pages need to do a lot. They play a critical role in determining whether your conversion rate or bounce rate will increase. Our websites come with home pages that hook customers and lead to sales.
Index pages
Index pages are basically every page that isn’t the homepage. No matter what the purpose of your index pages is supposed to be, they need to be able to convey information in all kinds of content formats (i.e. text, images, videos, sound, etc.) while maintaining the quality of your website.
Product pages
Product pages are where your customers will be able to find products and make their purchase. The primary objective of product pages is to take the customer right to the finish line where they are clicking that buy button. There are many ways that a product page can achieve this, such as:
- High quality product images
- A simple webpage design that guides the customer to the buy button
- Short bursts of information that let the customer know what they are buying
- Widgets such as reviews that positively reinforce the product’s quality
Product category pages
Product category pages act as a bridge between the homepage and the product page. If the customer has a rough idea of what they want, but is unsure of the specifics, that is where the product category page can help them.A good product category page aids the customer with website navigation by giving them a means to access the products that they want. It also shows consideration on behalf of the business, fostering a positive relationship between the business and the customer.
Blog Posts
Blog posts are a great way to not only attract new customers by grabbing their attention with high quality articles, but also retain old customers by maintaining a positive relationship with them by keeping them up-to-date on the happenings of the business.With quality posts, a blog on an ecommerce website can take a life of its own, attracting potential customers who may not have had any intent to buy until said blog post brought them to the website on a whim.
What are 4 types of customers?
When building an ecommerce website, it is important to remember that there are multiple kinds of customers. If you can customise your website to address their sensibilities as consumers, you will be more likely to entice them to give your business a chance.Here are some of the customers you will encounter online:
Price buyers
These customers will base the bulk of their purchasing decisions on the price of your products. You can have the highest, most renowned quality products available, but that still won’t lead to a conversion if the price of these products is outside of the customer’s budget.The best way to approach this kind of customer is with discounts. Your website should be able to keep them up-to-date with whatever products have seen a reduction in price. Additionally, your customers should have access to deals via your website that can make these prices more palatable for them.
Relationship buyers
These customers base their purchasing decisions on their relationship with the business. Does your website project that you’re approachable and customer-friendly? If not, this is where certain website functions such as a blog and social media connectivity can come in handy.If your website is too alienating, or if your customer service functionality isn’t up to scratch, these types of customers will bounce from your website in search of competition, so make sure you keep that in mind.
Value buyers
These customers are concerned primarily with the value of your products, so your websites’ product pages need to express that value effectively and succinctly in order to encourage sales from them.Your product pages should have information on what qualities set your products apart from the competition. Good reviews should be used to your advantage, as they’re an easy to use seal of approval that will look great on your product pages.
Poker player buyers
These customers are a sort of wild-card. Not only do they fluctuate between price, value and relationships influencing their purchasing decisions, but they will regularly interface with the business in order to try and negotiate their own discounts or deals.For these customers, you need a website that clearly communicates what sales and deals you have going on at the moment, as well as a comprehensive FAQ section and reliable customer service functionality (i.e. contact forms, social media connectivity, etc). You want to give these customers every means possible to get in touch with you so you can convert them for sales.
What ecommerce web design services do we offer?
Because we have such a strong understanding of what goes into an ecommerce website, we are able to provide high quality web design packages that will suit your every need. Regardless of which package you choose, you will receive the following:
Custom Built WordPress Website
We will build your business a website using WordPress, a powerful and versatile content management system (CMS). This ensures that your website will operate reliably and provide all of the functionality you need it too. It also helps that WordPress websites are easy to update, so you can be adaptable to your customers’ needs.
Google Analytics
With Google Analytics, you’ll be able to keep track of website activity such as session duration, pages per session, bounce rate etc. of individuals using the site, along with the information on the source of the traffic. These analytics are a valuable tool towards determining how your website can reach new customers as well as fix gaps in your current customer base.
Website Strategy Meeting
We don’t just build you a website, we involve you in your website’s creation to make sure that it’s the website that best meets your business’ needs. This is where we get to understand your business so that we can build you a website that compliments it perfectly.
WordPress Instruction Manual
We’ll provide you with documentation that will teach you how to make edits and updates to your website. We don’t just dump a website on your front porch and run, we take the effort to make sure that updating and editing this website will come as naturally to you as it does to us.
Stock Images
We use a wealth of high quality royalty free images to bring your website to life. Not only will your website be populated with content, it will be both aesthetically pleasing and very professional.
Contact Form
Your customers will be able to reliably contact you using the contact form on your new website. Better customer service leads to higher conversion rates, hence the importance of having a functional contact form. Customers will feel safe contacting you, as they know you’ll be able to reply and address their needs.
1:1 WordPress Training Session
We’ll comprehensively teach you the ins and outs of your website, so you’ll have a thorough understanding of how it works. Once you’ve received your website, you’ll be able to maintain it from now to forever.
Website Loading Speed Optimisation
Your website will run as fast as possible, meaning higher conversion rates as well as lower bounce rates. Simply put, people will enjoy using your website because they won’t have to wait.
Mobile Responsive Design
Our websites work on a wide range of mobile devices, including phones and tablets. Our responsive web design techniques ensure that this functionality does not come at the cost of your website’s search engine ranking or loading speed.
Search Engine Optimisation
We specialise in SEO, meaning that we’ll build you a website that ranks high in Google. Old customers will be able to find you with ease and new customers will see your products at the top of the search engine results page (SERP), inviting them to click and make a purchase.
Blog
All of our websites come with a functioning blog, so you’ll be able to keep your customers aware of all of the goings on in your business. That way, they’ll have another reason to keep coming back on top of the quality of your products.
Image Gallery
You'll be able to show your customers all of the wonderful things your business is doing using the image gallery that your new website provides.Now that you understand the ins and outs of eCommerce, we can help you boost your Shopify SEO here.Get in touch if you’re looking for ecommerce website development Melbourne, and you want a website that hooks your customers and gets you sales.
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Who is Digital Treasury?
We're a Melbourne-based digital agency with extensive experience helping Australian businesses build stronger online presences. Our team specialises in web design, development, hosting and SEO services - everything you need to get found online and convert visitors into customers.
Over the years, we've worked across different platforms and industries, giving us the insight to know what actually works for businesses like yours. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing website, we focus on practical solutions that deliver real results for your business.
What types of businesses and industries do you work with?
We work with a wide range of Australian businesses, with particular expertise in healthcare, B2B services, SaaS companies, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), professional services and e-commerce brands. Our team offers tailored SEO and web solutions that are customised to fit your industry, target audience and business goals.
Where is Digital Treasury located and do you work with businesses Australia-wide?
We are based in Melbourne but we work with clients throughout Australia. Our work is mostly done remotely by video conferencing and emails, which makes collaboration easier regardless of where your business may be based.
What services does Digital Treasury offer?
Our key services include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Design, Website Development, Website Maintenance and Website Hosting. They are provided either separately or combined, ensuring that we provide you with one reliable source to help establish your online presence for your business.
How do I get started with Digital Treasury?
Getting started is easy. Just contact us for an initial conversation about what you want, your budget and timeframe. We will talk to you about what you need, give advice about the best way forward and provide you with a detailed, upfront proposal.
What makes Digital Treasury different from other agencies?
We integrate our technical skills with honest communication and a strong emphasis on results that will benefit your company. Being a small team allows us to give you personal attention, upfront costs and all the support we would give to our own project.
Do you work with small businesses and startups?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are small businesses and startups looking to establish or improve their online presence. We will make suggestions based on your particular situation and budget needs, providing useful services at affordable prices.
How do you communicate with clients and report on progress?
We are convinced that clear communication should be maintained consistently during any of our projects. In accordance with the chosen service, you will be updated about your project through emails, meetings and detailed reports. We maintain constant contact with you, answering your queries along the way.
How does Digital Treasury structure its pricing?
We keep our pricing straightforward by providing a complete project quote rather than breaking it down into confusing line items. This approach gives you a clear understanding of exactly what you'll pay for the entire scope of work.
Every project is different, so costs depend on your specific requirements and the complexity involved. We'll assess your needs and provide transparent pricing that reflects the full value of what we'll deliver for your business.
Am I locked into a long-term contract?
We believe in earning your trust through quality work rather than tying you down with restrictive contracts. For specific projects like website builds, we'll provide you with a clear upfront quote so you know exactly what to expect.
Our ongoing services like website hosting, maintenance and search engine optimisation work a bit differently - we discuss these on a flexible arrangement basis that suits your business needs and budget.
Can you provide case studies or examples of previous work?
Yes, we can provide case studies and examples of our previous work. Potential clients frequently request these to see concrete evidence of our past successes. They want to understand how we’ve helped similar businesses achieve their goals through SEO and website development. Our case studies typically highlight our clients’ challenges, the strategies we implemented, and the measurable results we achieved, such as increased traffic and higher conversion rates. This builds trust and demonstrates our ability to deliver on our promises.
What types of SEO services do you offer?
We offer a comprehensive range of SEO services designed to boost your online visibility. Our core services include technical SEO fixes, on-page and content optimisation, local SEO for Melbourne businesses, thorough keyword research, detailed SEO audits, strategic link building, and ongoing performance tracking.
Can you guarantee first-page or number-one rankings?
No reputable SEO agency can guarantee specific rankings because search engines like Google use complex algorithms that change frequently. These changes are completely outside anyone's control. What we can promise is our commitment to using proven, white-hat strategies that give your website the best possible chance of ranking well.
Rather than making unrealistic promises, we focus on sustainable SEO practices that build long-term visibility and drive genuine business results. Our approach is about maximising your opportunities for success, not making guarantees that simply can't be kept.
Do you offer local SEO for businesses targeting specific areas?
Yes. Local SEO ensures that your business is found in location-specific search results and map results, making it perfect if you offer your products or services within specific suburbs or locations. We ensure that we optimise your Google Business Profile and your website content for local search.
Do you help with content optimisation?
Yes. Quality and relevant content plays a very important role in effective SEO optimisation. We can optimise your current webpages as well as provide you with some suggestions for creating content based on your keywords.
How much does SEO cost?
Pricing for SEO is determined based on your specific business goals, how competitive your industry is and the amount of work needed to achieve results. We will customise pricing plans depending on budgets while giving you a definite quote right from the start.
How do you decide which keywords to target?
We do extensive keyword research to know how your prospective clients search for information on the internet. After analysis of various parameters like search intent, relevancy, competition and commercial value, we shortlist keywords that resonate well with your products and services.
Do I need to change my website's content for SEO?
Yes, quite often. We recommend refreshing existing content frequently or creating new pieces that better match what your potential customers are actually searching for online. Of course, changes should be carefully implemented with regard to your company’s tone of voice.
What is the contract length for your SEO service?
We ensure that our SEO agreement remains flexible as opposed to being committed to long-term contracts. Even though SEO is most effective when conducted on a continuous basis, we do not mind discussing agreements that work for your benefit.
Is it necessary to hire an SEO agency or can I do SEO myself?
You can surely do basic SEO on your own and we are happy to point you in the right direction. However, SEO is very time-consuming and keeps changing frequently. Hiring an experienced SEO agency will ensure that you get more out of it without having to think about it anymore.
How does backlink building contribute to SEO success?
Backlinks are simply links to your website from another website. Search engines consider backlinks as an indication of credibility and authority. Our approach is to build links to your site through ethical and sustainable methods, building up the reputation of your website in the process.
What does your website design process look like?
We start by understanding your business goals and target audience to ensure your website truly connects with your customers. From there, we develop a web design strategy and create initial designs that we refine based on your feedback. Once you approve the designs, we go ahead to the development phase.
When should I consider redesigning my website?
A redesign is worth considering if your site looks outdated, performs poorly on mobile, loads slowly, is difficult to update or no longer reflects your brand. A modern, well-built website can improve user experience, credibility and your ability to attract customers.
Which CMS platforms do you build websites on?
We specialise in Webflow and WordPress, selecting the most suitable platform for you. WordPress allows for versatility, whereas Webflow gives you a sleek design with easy maintenance. We will suggest the most appropriate choice for you.
Do you provide SEO with your website builds?
Yes. All our websites are developed using SEO guidelines like a clean layout, quick loading speed, mobile optimisation and solid on-page foundation. In addition to that, we have professional SEO service packages that help businesses increase their online presence.
Do you offer ongoing website maintenance?
Yes. We offer website maintenance services to ensure that your website is safe, up-to-date and working properly. This encompasses software and plug-in upgrades, security protection, backups and basic changes to give you a hassle-free experience so that you can concentrate on your business.
Can I migrate my existing site to your hosting?
Yes, we can absolutely handle the complete website transfer to our managed hosting platform without any hassle on your end. Our team manages the entire migration process, ensuring your site moves across smoothly without downtime or disruption to your business.
Can we provide feedback throughout the process?
Absolutely and we actually encourage it. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to review our progress and share your thoughts at every stage. It ensures we're building exactly what you have in mind, rather than guessing what might work.
Will I own my website once it's built?
Yes. After completion of your project, the website will be yours. We believe in absolute transparency when it comes to issues of ownership and accessibility and would gladly take care of your requirements in this respect.
How long does it take to build a website?
The timeline for your website project really depends on what you're looking to achieve. A straightforward business website typically takes a few weeks from start to finish, while more complex builds with custom functionality or extensive content requirements will naturally take longer.
We'll give you a clear timeline estimate once we understand your specific needs during our initial consultation. This way, you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan your launch accordingly.
What kind of support do you provide after my website launches?
We don't go away once we've launched. We provide continuing support, maintenance and hosting to ensure that your website runs at optimum capacity. If you have any queries about how to develop your website, we will be there for you.
