Nº03

July 2024

The Often Overlooked Power of UI/UX in eCommerce

Find out the basics behind this update and how to navigate changes


In the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, the battle for consumer attention has never been more fierce.

Amidst this constant competition, there’s an often overlooked but formidable player influencing every scroll, click, add-to-basket, and conversion — the UI/UX design of your e-commerce store.

Frederik Willecke Gudbjerg

Head of Digital Marketing, eCommerce, Nexi Group

Why UI/UX Design is Important for Your Ecommerce Store

Our latest data from the E-commerce Report ’23 reveals a startling truth: a mere perception of messiness or lack of trustworthiness on an e-commerce store can plummet conversion rates by 29,6% on average at the checkout stage. This isn’t just a minor issue; it’s a significant concern for e-commerce stores, underscoring the undeniable impact of design on the bottom line.

UI/UX design is not merely about aesthetics; it’s about functionality, user experience, and building trust with your audience. A well-designed site can lead to higher conversion rates, increased average order values, and ultimately, greater revenue.

Conversely, a poorly designed site can deter potential customers and drive them to competitors.

How to Determine If You Need a UI/UX Revamp

So, how do you decide if your UI/UX is due for a makeover? Evaluating whether your e-commerce store needs a UI/UX revamp involves considering several key factors. Here’s a guide to help you assess if it’s time to invest in enhancing your user experience:

Performance Metrics:

  • Low Conversion Rates: If your conversion rates are below industry standards, it may indicate usability issues.
  • High Bounce Rates: A high bounce rate can suggest that visitors find your site unappealing or difficult to navigate.
  • Declining AOV: A decrease in average order value might signal that users are not finding what they need or are not compelled to purchase more.

Customer Feedback:

  • Negative Reviews: Frequent complaints about site navigation, design, or user experience.
  • Surveys and Direct Feedback: Direct feedback from customers indicating dissatisfaction with the current UI/UX.

Competitive Benchmarking:

  • Lagging Behind Competitors: If competitors’ websites offer a superior user experience, you risk losing customers to them.
  • New Industry Standards: Emerging trends and best practices that your site does not meet.
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Tapping into the Benefits of Mobile Commerce

In the realm of e-commerce, a significant shift is underway as mobile devices become the primary vehicle for online purchases. Now known as mobile commerce, or m-commerce, this new means of business is transforming the way consumers shop and pay while influencing online merchants and shaping the future of retail.

User Behavior Analytics:

  • Session Recordings and Heatmaps: Tools like heatmaps and session recordings can reveal where users are encountering
    difficulties.

If the alarms are blinking on many of the above factors, it might be worthwhile to dive deeper into investigating if you need a revamp.
These high-level indicators can help you determine if a UI/UX overhaul is necessary to enhance user satisfaction and stay competitive.

Case Studies: E-commerce Stores Excelling in UI/UX

So, how do some of the great companies excel in UI/UX design and create engaging, user-friendly online shopping experiences? By prioritizing the needs and preferences of their customers, these companies have set the benchmark for exceptional e-commerce design. Let’s explore how three e-commerce brands have mastered the art of UI/UX, driving customer satisfaction and business success.

D2C Brand: Horizn Studios
Horizn Studios excels in UI/UX design by reflecting its brand values of innovation and sustainability:

  • High-Quality Visuals: High-resolution images and detailed descriptions build trust and drive conversions.
  • Simple Navigation: Clean and straightforward design for easy product discovery and streamlined checkout.
  • Transparency: Clear pricing and intuitive cost breakdowns enhance user trust.
  • Responsive Design: Seamless experience across all devices, ensuring accessibility and usability for all users.

Retailers: Zalando
Zalando’s platform focuses on personalization and convenience:cels in UI/UX design by reflecting its brand values of innovation and sustainability:

  • Personalized Recommendations: AI-driven suggestions enhance the shopping experience.
  • Interactive Elements: Size guides, reviews, and 360-degree views aid informed purchasing.
  • Advanced filtering: Robust filtering options to help users find exactly what they need quickly.
  • Quick View Feature: Allows users to view product details without leaving the current page, enhancing browsing efficiency.

Subscription Service: The Farmer’s Dog
The Farmer’s Dog offers a seamless and personalized user experience:

  • Customizable Plans: Easy creation of tailored meal plans for pets.
  • Engaging Content: Educational articles and videos on pet nutrition.
  • Interactive Onboarding: Engaging and informative onboarding process that guides users through setting up their pet’s profile and meal plan.
  • Intuitive Subscription Management: User-friendly dashboard for managing subscriptions and making adjustments with ease.

These brands demonstrate that excellent UI/UX design is about functionality, engagement, and user-centric design, driving customer satisfaction and business success.

Trends in 2024 to Consider for Your UI/UX E-commerce Revamp

Having went through some cases and how they excel in UI/UX, it’s important to stay ahead by incorporating the latest trends into your e-commerce store. As we move into the last part of 2024, several emerging trends are shaping the future of online shopping experiences. These trends can guide your UI/UX revamp, ensuring that your store remains competitive and continues to delight your customers.

Let’s dive into the key trends that you should consider:

  1. Visual Storytelling for Impactful First Impressions: Leveraging powerful imagery and multimedia to captivate shoppers the moment they land on a page, aiming to leave a lasting impression that compels them to explore and purchase.
  2. Scrolling Storytelling: Transforming websites into storybooks, with each scroll unveiling a new chapter. This engaging approach holds attention and forges a stronger connection between the brand and the consumer.
  3. Micro-interactions: Subtle design elements that enhance user engagement. From dynamic feedback to animated loading screens, micro-interactions add a layer of sophistication and interactivity.
  4. Minimalist and Clean Aesthetics: Championing space, clarity, and tranquility in design, allowing users to focus on what matters: your products.
  5. Hyper-Personalization: Using AI and machine learning to create individually tailored shopping experiences, greeting users with a curation that feels crafted just for them.
  6. Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping: Allowing customers to visualize products in their environment before making a purchase, bridging the gap between digital and physical shopping.
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7. Gamification of Shopping: Injecting game-like elements into the shopping experience to boost engagement.
From earning points for reviews to unlocking badges for repeat purchases, gamification transforms shopping into a lively adventure.

8. Accessibility in Design: Ensuring your e-commerce store is accessible to all users, including color contrast for the visually impaired,
text-to-speech capabilities for the blind, and easy navigation for those with motor disabilities. Complying with WCAG guidelines caters
to a wider audience and demonstrates social responsibility.

By integrating these trends, you can keep your e-commerce store fresh, engaging, and accessible. Not only will this help you meet your customers’ current expectations, but it will potentially also lead to increase in conversions.

Elevating Your E-commerce Experience with UI/UX

Recognizing the critical role of UI/UX design in e-commerce is essential. Knowing when it’s time for a revamp, drawing inspiration from leading brands, and staying current with the latest trends will give you a solid starting point.

Adopting the latest UI/UX trends for 2024—such as visual storytelling, micro-interactions, minimalist design, hyper-personalization, AR shopping, gamification, and accessibility—will not only make your store modern but also potentially improve conversion rates. These enhancements transform the shopping journey, making it more intuitive, enjoyable, and tailored to individual needs.

In essence, investing in UI/UX design is about building a foundation for sustained growth and customer loyalty. It’s about making every interaction count and ensuring that your e-commerce platform is not just a store, but an experience. Embrace these insights and trends to elevate your e-commerce presence and drive lasting success.