Features of E-Commerce Websites

 Freepik (2020)

                                                                                               

"Designing  the  user  interface  for  an  e-commerce  site  is very  challenging.  E-commerce sites must  accommodate  nearly  all  users;  include a  significant  amount of  user  interactivity,  and  still  be easy to use. Various researches investigating the major determinant features of an effective web site have been done before. Some of them are explained below.  

Coopee et al. (2000) suggested that web site designers should include some essential features into any commercial web site they design, as follows: catalog development, users tracking, payment processing,  online  fulfillment,  web  site  security,  privacy,  business-business  sales  models,  and business-customer sales models.  

Cell (2000) provided some guidelines for creating customer friendly web site: make company easy to  find online, keep  site  navigation simple and  clear, give customers a  reason  to visit  the site, make site visually appealing, offer  a  menu of communications options,  and  answer e-mail promptly and professionally."

Below, we will explain some of the significant features of e-commerce sites

• Search Function

                                                                                            Svstudioart (2022)

The place of a search function cannot be over-emphasized. It enables users of the website to navigate easily through the posts or items on the e-commerce websites.

• Product Catalogue:

                                                                                            Storyset (2020)

Another important feature of e-commerce is its product catalogue. The purpose of this is to enable user of the website to easily see, at a glance,  the product/ services or classifications of products available at the e-commerce website.

• FAQ

                                                                                        Storyset (2021)

FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. This is a crucial section of every e-commerce site as it helps provide speedy answers to customers' frequently-made inquiry, or solutions to commonly-faced problems.

• Customer Service

                                                                                            Freepik (2021)

According to Amsler & Goss (2021), "customer service representatives are the main line of contact between an organization and its customers, making CX a critical facet and the main priority of customer service teams." It is important that e-commerce websites provide the option for customers to speak with customer care agents for complex inquiries and requests.

Other important features of e-commerce websites include: the product description, customer-specific advertisement, the product filter, banner, customer feedback, etc.

Reference List

          Amsler, S. and Goss, M. (2021) What are customer service and customer support?, Customer Experience. TechTarget. Available at: https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/definition/customer-service-and-support (Accessed: January 17, 2023).

         Freepik (2021) Free vector: Customer support flat design illustration, Freepik. Available at: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/customer-support-flat-design-illustration_12983846.htm#query=customer%20service&position=35&from_view=search&track=sph (Accessed: January 17, 2023).

         Freepik (2020) Free vector: Isometric e-commerce landing page, Freepik. Available at: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/isometric-e-commerce-landing-page_8586503.htm#query=online%20shopping%20site&position=30&from_view=search&track=ais (Accessed: January 17, 2023).

         Purwati, Y., 2011. Standard features of e-commerce user interface for the web. Researchers World, 2(3), p.77.

         Storyset (2020) Free vector: Dropdown menu concept illustration, Freepik. Available at: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/dropdown-menu-concept-illustration_11641800.htm#query=dropdown&position=15&from_view=search&track=sph (Accessed: January 17, 2023). 

         Storyset (2021) Free vector: Faqs concept illustration, Freepik. Available at: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/faqs-concept-illustration_12832569.htm#query=FAQ&position=3&from_view=search&track=sph (Accessed: January 17, 2023). 

         Svstudioart (2022) Free vector: Web search bar on blue background navigation bar for UI design search blank browser templates vector, Freepik. Available at: https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/web-search-bar-blue-background-navigation-bar-ui-design-search-blank-browser-templates-vector_33632358.htm#query=search%20bar&position=25&from_view=search&track=sph (Accessed: January 17, 2023).