8 Ecommerce Design Trends for Better Customer Engagement

Currently, Ecommerce design trends are focused on creating an easier and more friendly customer experience and with good reason, learn more here.

8 Ecommerce Design Trends

Image Source: Pixabay

 

E-commerce design trends this year will inevitably bring better visual effects, technology, and better communication all to improve the customer experience.

 

Why are e-commerce design trends so focused on a user-friendly customer experience? 

According to UX Planet, the general rule of thumb is that every dollar spent on improving UX/UI will return $10 to $100 — that is if the organization will willingly focus on routinely improving their user experience. This is especially true for SaaS companies. 

 

This year, one of the biggest Ecommerce design trends isn’t just expectations of today’s customers for online shopping but are also trends that one shouldn’t ignore in the e-commerce industry.

 

To help you stay competitive and remain on top of the pack in the e-commerce industry, we’ll walk you through a list of the best Ecommerce design trends that you can look out for this year.

 

1. Broad Usage of Dynamic Images

 

If you want to start your ecommerce website, this e-commerce design trend leans less on static images and more on dynamic images. We’re talking about animations, videos, and micro-interactions here. 

Motion in e-commerce design offers many benefits and is ideal for showcasing products in a more realistic light. Having a motion design in product visual effects allows your shoppers to understand better the products they’re purchasing. In the same way, it offers customers more information to boost conversions and decrease the chances of returns. 

 

2. Combination of Landing Pages and Product Pages

 

Traditional e-commerce site structures are designed where a customer starts from the homepage and goes a bit further by picking a category on the menu. It’s also relatively common for customers to come straight from an ad, social media post, or SERP page, leading directly to a category or product page. 

That’s why more and more online retailers are designing product pages or category pages and use elements of landing pages such as calls-to-action, hero shorts, social proof, and unique selling propositions. 

 

By doing so, customers can get all the information they need about the store and the products they’re selling. 

 

3. Uniform Grid Layout

 

For the longest time, square layouts have been dominating Ecommerce design trends. Using strict columns and rows of products of the same size keeps your content structured, makes browsing easy, and can be used for responsive design. However, it also pays that you try alternative layouts. 

What are the advantages of a uniform grid layout? For one, you’ll stand out since this design trend is unique. In the same way, it brings in modern, and avant-garde feels, ideal for fashion and younger industries. 

By designing your site correctly, you’ll better highlight your best-selling products rather than publicly pointing them out. 

 

This graphic design trend also better suits brands with a more limited product range. But if you’re selling many products, this layout can take up a lot of screen space and confuse your shoppers. 

 

4. Focusing on the content

 

You probably know that content is king, and it will not change anytime soon. In fact, excellent content is one of the core components of a great UX design. Make sure that you develop content that matches your readers’ expectations to improve your site. 

It would help if you also made your content readable and engaging on a text and visual level. Here are some tips to make your text easy to read: 

 

  • Smaller paragraphs
  • Shorter sentences
  • Bullet point lists
  • Headlines that split content
  • Using an informal style

 

Here are also additional tips on how you can make it more readable from a visual standpoint:

 

  • Work on the line spacing 
  • Don’t overdo fonts
  • Provide whitespace
  • Support with compelling imagery
  • Interactive visual effects

 

5. Interactive Visual Effects

 

One of the biggest pains of most online shoppers is that they can’t get the same visual experience as with a brick-and-mortar shop. For example, they couldn’t see up close what the product looks like from different angles or how a particular fabric will look good on a person. Fortunately, plain texts and simple graphics are now giving way to more attractive options. 

Incorporating interactive visual designs in visual reality (VR,) augmented reality (AR), and 3D images is more accessible for small to mid-sized businesses. Using this technology helps shoppers understand their product expectations. A better shopping experience leads to better sales and repeat customers. 

 

This technology is ideal for fashion accessories, furniture, and home décor. Furthermore, AR, VR, and 3D imaging gives shoppers control over viewing options. As e-commerce technology gradually improves, this trend is expected to grow in the future. So, while it’s still impressive and futuristic to many people, you should implement it now. 

 

6. AI or chatbots

Chatbots are becoming more and more advanced, turning from a little bit too blunt to intelligent. 

 

Chatbots can offer shoppers discount codes, provide shipping notifications, and act as inexpensive sales assistants. They take a massive load of work off you, providing you with the opportunity to boost your business further. 

 

7. Minimalist

The most popular homepage design styles integrate minimalist and prominent elements like big typography, vibrant colors, and extensive background images. A clean and crisp minimalistic layout with plenty of whitespaces features the product’s functionality. 

 

On the other hand, vibrant accents direct the user’s attention to focus where it’s needed. For example, a large background image is one way to catch the user’s attention with minimal effort. 

 

8. Personalization and a Highly Interactive Design

 

You also need to ensure that your message fits your target audience. Personalization is vital to a smooth shopping experience. It is a win-win situation for the buyer and seller. 

By knowing your customers’ buying preferences and unique characteristics, you can provide them with precisely what they need even before they know it. As a result, customers can buy products that best suit them while you streamline the entire buying process and boost sales. 

 

Over to You

 

So there you have it. The viability of a particular trend mainly depends on one single factor- whether or not it will help users reach their goals quicker and easier by offering a great online experience. Try some of these Ecommerce design trends to get the most out of your projects. Good luck!