Basic Rules to Design Your Ecommerce Web Site

A Home Business Article Contributed by Sharon Hill

Remember Your Ecommerce Web Site Audience - Design Accordingly

When you design your ecommerce web site you'll want to set aside what you want to put there and concentrate instead on what the consumer wants to see there. "Give 'em What They Want, " is the ecommerce web site design rule of thumb.

While it's important to let folks know who you and your employees are, and where they are, the folks who view your site are far more interested in what products and services you have to offer. Yes, they want to know that you didn't hide the hierarchy and whereabouts of your firm, but the reason they've visited your site is to find the product or service that they need.

A good analogy would be the child who wants to go out and play with his friends, really doesn't want to spend the day with mom, but checks back once in a while just to know she's there - making his world safe and secure. What people want to know, whether it's visiting your ecommerce web site or driving to the local brick and mortar store, is "what's in it for me? " So that's what you display the most prominently.

How do You Know What Design Consumers Want on Your Ecommerce Web Site?

The best way is by asking them. Let's say, for example, that you want to design an ecommerce web site for your new second hand bookstore. You might try hanging out at Barnes & Noble. Have your business card ready and perhaps a gift certificate or half price coupon for their first purchase and approach a few customers (at one of the comfy chairs, or tables. Not at the register. B-N will not be happy! ) Hi, I'm hoping you can help me.

I live here in -- - and am starting my own business - an online second hand bookstore" (or maybe it's local brick and mortar with an additional service of a web site.) May I ask you a few questions that will help me design my site? As a thank you I'd be glad to give you this gift certificate for your first purchase." People love to talk about themselves, and if you say you're a local - their neighbor - and you need their help, they'll come through just about every time.)

Now, not only do you have good marketing and design info for your ecommerce web site, but you also have your first customers.

Make sure you divide up your web site text into short paragraphs. Viewers have short attention spans. If they see a lot of unbroken text, they may go elsewhere. There are two types of Internet users - the ones that grew up on the Internet, who'll sit at a computer and actually watch a two hour movie. And the rest of us - who want to print out extensive copy and sit in an easy chair and peruse it as we would a hard copy book.

Those like my 22 year old child who actually entertain themselves at the keyboard, still do not care to read lengthy text. They look instead for animation, flash and vivid photography. Keep eye appeal in mind and assume short attention spans. Break up the copy.

Organizing Your Ecommerce Web Site Copy and Design

The information you provide on your web site should have a hierarchical organization. In other words you start your home page with your major topics, and then subdivide the details by links or subordinate pages. The best method to devise this hierarchy would be to write an outline. Your major headings would be your home page.

While web sites are relatively new forms of communication but some of the old rules still apply. What appeals to readers of books, audiences for speeches, and folks who respond to newspaper ads is going to appeal to viewers of your website. Make it attractive, concise, clear, organized and entertaining and your viewers will return time and again.