From Traffic to Transactions: E-commerce Conversion Optimization Strategies

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By Muhammad Hussain

Do you own an e-commerce store and still haven’t obtained ideal conversion rates even after all the hard efforts? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! Many e-commerce stores face this challenge. US e-commerce stores averaged just a 2.8% conversion rate in Q2 2021.

Worry no more! Understanding the e-commerce conversion optimization technique helps you optimize your online sales a hundredfold. 

This guide will elaborate on specific strategies to help you get towards higher conversion rates.

Let’s look into it together and see all the wonders your e-commerce store can do.

How is Conversion Optimization Different for E-commerce Stores?

E-commerce conversion optimization differs from typical marketing strategies. Some major differences include:

  • E-commerce conversion optimization is based more on data analysis and feedback than on intuition and old data, which is the basis of traditional marketing.
  • E-commerce conversion optimization focuses on user experience, as an ideal online experience is believed to be the key to conversion. Traditional marketing conversion optimization may be more about messaging and promotional tactics.
  • E-commerce conversion optimization is specifically suited to the challenges of digital channels like mobile and social media. Traditional marketing conversion optimization may be more focused on offline channels such as print or television.

How Do You Calculate the Conversion Rate?

Conversion rate is a metric that measures the percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase of the product, signing up for a website, or downloading a resource on the webpage. 

Formula:

Conversion Rate = (Number of Conversions Made / Total Number of Visitors ) x 100%

Example: 

If 100 people visit your e-commerce market and 20 of them make a purchase of your product, then your conversion rate will be given by:

(20 / 100) x 100% = 20%

E-commerce Conversion Optimization Strategies: 6 Steps

Here are six strategies you need to master e-commerce conversion optimization:

1. Streamline Your Checkout Process for an Uninterrupted Experience

Here is what you can do to make the checkout process easier for the customers:

  • Fewer Form Fields: Reduce form fields as much as possible. Ask only for essential data while making it easier for people to get through the checkout process easily and fast.
  • Guest Checkout: Enable your customers with flexibility and ease to allow them to have the opportunity to finish purchasing without account creation. 
  • Progress Indicators: Have customers see their progress to completion.
  • Multiple Payment Options: Improve convenience by offering multiple secure, trusted payment methods to cater to all customer preferences
  • Clear Shipping and Return Policies: Give the customers trust by stating shipping costs and return policies so customers know exactly what to expect.

2. Give Maximum Impact to Your Product Pages

Product pages play a key role in attracting traffic to an e-commerce market. Make sure to put in a lot of effort to make your product page look professional.

  • High-Quality Image and Video: Display clear, professional images and videos from multiple angles. Add features like 360-degree view or zoom-in that let them see every detail.
  • Product descriptions: Give trusted descriptions of features. This helps the buyers make informed decisions in less time.
  • User-Generated Content (UGC): Bring your products to life by using customer photos and videos. Display how your products are used in the daily lives of your customers. This makes the product authentic to the buyer.

3. Improve the Experience of Website Users

You can improve your e-commerce conversion optimization by making a few amendments to your website layout. Here’s what you can add:

  • Simple Menu Structure: Use a simple, structured menu so that users can easily find and understand what they are looking for without confusion.
  • Prominent Search Bar: Place the search bar in a most visible place easily accessed from where customers may directly search for any type of product or information needed.
  • Filter and Sorting: Equip customers with the capabilities of filtering and sorting that could narrow down their search results, thereby guiding customers to products that best satisfy their needs and preferences.
  • “View All” Button: Provide a “View All” button to product categories so that users are allowed to view all the products.

4. Use Social Proof for Trust and Engagement

Customers’ trust in the product can do wonders for product sales. Here’s how you can gain your audience’s trust:

  • Customer Reviews and Ratings: Mention genuine customer reviews and ratings under the product. Social proof has a strong influence on the buyer’s confidence in making a decision. You can use review stackers like Bazaarvoice and Trustpilot.
  • Social Media Sharing Buttons: This enables customers to share their favorite products with friends and followers, multiplying your brand’s reach while increasing product promotion.
  • Social Media Badges and Follower Counts: Add badges and follower counts from your social media channels to indicate the popularity and influence of your brand. The more the popularity, the higher the rate of sales. Visual social proof like this can make new customers confident in choosing your brand.

5. Personalization

Personalization is the act of gaining the customer experience through targeted recommendations, emails, and offers that deal with individual preferences, behaviors, and interests. Here are some other things you can do:

  • Targeted Email Campaigns: Send emails based on customer behavior and interest.
  • Personalized Offers and Promotions: Offer specific deals and discounts to targeted customer groups.

6. Upgrade Mobile to Deliver a Smooth Experience

Make sure your website is accessible and user-friendly across various devices. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Check Mobile Friendliness: Ensure your website is fully responsive and everything flows smoothly on any gadget.
  • Mobile App: The dedicated mobile app can help customers conveniently shop more comfortably and enjoy a seamless, personalized shopping experience right from their fingertips.

Conclusion

Is Your E-commerce Conversion Optimization Ready? Start by streamlining the checkout process and ensuring your product pages have high-quality images and detailed descriptions.

Focus on your site’s usability and use social proof along with personalization to make your customers feel like the VIPs they deserve to be. Implementing all these methods will help you improve the conversion rate of your e-commerce and, in turn, your business as well.

Powerful E-commerce brands are the real treasures!

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FAQs

What is e-commerce conversion optimization?

It is the standard procedure where conversion rate optimization is the process of converting website visitors into potential customers who buy a product from an e-commerce market.

What is the point of conversion rate optimization?

The purpose of Conversion Rate Optimization is to increase conversions. It can be done by improving the effectiveness of your website with the existing traffic rather than focusing on attracting more visitors.

How can I optimize my e-commerce conversion rate?

Here are some suggestions:

Add social proof, such as customer reviews and ratings, to build trust.

Recommended products to increase the average order value.

Optimize product pages with high-quality images and detailed descriptions.

Simple navigation to reduce bounce rates.

Wish list feature to encourage future purchases.

Streamline the checkout process to reduce cart abandonment.