10 Reasons Why You Need a Custom-Designed eCommerce Store

Unfortunately, the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” doesn’t apply when it comes to retail Website design. This means it’s crucial to create an eCommerce store that is not only user-friendly, but also aesthetically pleasing to your potential Customers.

You see, people are visual creatures, and if your Online Store design looks drab and dull, they'll assume your products are, too.

A study completed by Stanford University revealed that 46% of users judged a Site’s credibility on looks alone, especially “the appeal of the overall visual design… including layout, typography, font size, and colour schemes.”  

This proves that when browsing for goods Online, people really do buy with their eyes. They can’t try on the product they’re interested in, or test a sample as they might instore – so all they have to go by is your Online shop Website design!

Don’t sell yourself short by choosing a visually underwhelming and aesthetically disappointing template for your eCommerce store. Get an eCommerce store design that allows Customers trust your brand and has your sales soar!

Have you ever visited an Online store and been completely underwhelmed by its appearance? Maybe the layout was confusing, or the colours clashed, or the overall design just didn't seem to fit the products being sold. Not only does it work against the credibility of your brand, but it pushes your Customers away!

A custom eCommerce Web design is the key to success in today's competitive Online landscape.

It allows you to create a look and feel that's perfectly suited to your brand and products. You can choose colours, fonts, and imagery that reflect your brand’s style and personality, and create a layout that showcases your products in the best possible way. This means that your Online Store will be unique and memorable, and Customers will be more likely to return to your site in the future!

These visual components of your Website that we’ve discussed, such as the colour scheme, typography and image choice, not only lend your products credibility for your Online Store Website design, but also serve to create a certain image around your brand.

By developing a strong brand for your product on your eCommerce Site, you can better attract the kind of customers you’re hoping to sell to.

For example, if you sell edgy, original clothing for young women, you can use custom eCommerce Website design to create an Online space that best represents what you’re selling. This helps to establish a particular style surrounding your business, and is more likely to hold the attention of your target audience who may be searching for new clothes and happen to land on your page.

When it comes to this level of specificity, a template eCommerce store isn’t in the same league as custom design.

We’ve harped on a lot about looks, but it's not just about these aesthetics. Creating an Online shop, and choosing the custom path specifically, can also improve the functionality and User Experience of your Site. You can work with a designer to create a user-friendly layout that makes it easy for Customers to find what they're looking for and complete their purchases.

Think about it. If you walked into a real shop that was a jumbled mess, with a confusing shelving system that made searching for the item you wanted difficult, chances are you’d walk out pretty quickly. Well, your Online Store is no different.

If you’re working from a template-based system, which are often poorly coded, your Customers might encounter navigation difficulties. They also might experience slow loading times, which significantly increases the likelihood of shopper abandonment.

Custom designs lead to higher conversion rates and increased sales, as well as happier Customers who are more likely to recommend your Site to others!

These days, much of Online shopping is done while people are on the go, and they expect the ease of buying to be at their fingertips. This means having an eCommerce shopping Website that’s compatible with Mobile Phones and tablets is crucial for any Small Business Owner hoping to make their mark selling Online!

If a Customer lands on your Site hoping to purchase one of your products, but can’t view your Site properly in their browser, they’ll likely move on to the next eCommerce store, most likely your competitor, without even giving yours a second thought.

When it comes to template vs. custom design, there is no competition when it comes to Mobile compatibility.

Having a Mobile-friendly Site will also assist in increasing your visibility on Search Engines. Google factors Mobile device compatibility into their algorithm and has stated outright that Mobile-responsive Sites will receive better rankings.

It can be a dog-eat-dog world out there in the online world, so when it comes to your eCommerce store you want to give yourself the best chance of being found. Choosing a custom eCommerce Website designer assists in the use of effective, well-established SEO content, something which is often lacking in template-based Websites.

SEO ensures your Website’s content is created with targeted keywords in mind to enhance its visibility to Search Engines, such as Google and Bing, which can significantly improve your search rankings and help you move your way up through the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

Chances are you’re facing a lot of competition as a Small Business Owner, we know how tough it is out there! And standing out from your competitors can seem like an impossible task. Opting for a custom designed eCommerce store allows you to do just this.

With a wide range of colours, layouts, typefaces, logos and designs available to custom designed Sites, businesses using templates are likely to be lost amongst the masses.

Make sure you don’t get caught being a needle in a haystack!

If you do choose to use a template, be warned that there could be numerous other Sites using your exact same template, making your store look generic and potentially harming your credibility.

We know that keeping your Online business and Customers safe is a top priority. And guess what? A custom-designed Online Store also helps you do just that! When you choose to have your Online Store custom designed, you're ensuring that every aspect of your Site is tailored to your specific needs and requirements, including security measures.

You can work with a designer to implement the latest security features and protocols, such as SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, and secure payment gateways.

This means that your Customers can shop with confidence, knowing that their personal and financial information is protected.

And let's face it, in today's world of cybercrime and Online scams, having a secure Online Store is more important than ever.

It means your business is protected from potential threats and breaches, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on growing your business without worrying about security risks!

So you can rest easy knowing that you're doing everything you can to keep your business and Customers safe.

It’s tiring constantly trying to attract new Customers! You need to turn those one-time visitors into loyal, repeat Customers.

A custom-designed Online Store can help you create a unique brand identity that sets you apart from your competitors and keeps Customers coming back for more, because you are creating a shopping experience that is tailored to your Customers' needs and preferences.

You can work with a designer to create a user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation, and personalised product recommendations.

But that's not all! A custom design also allows you to create a cohesive brand image across all your Online channels, from your Website to your Social Media accounts.

Don’t underestimate the power of customisation! Creating a unique and personalised shopping experience that makes Customers feel special and valued, helping you build strong relationships while turning them into loyal fans.

Gone are the days of having to call up a developer every time you want to make a small change to your Website. With a custom-designed eCommerce Site, you have the power to make changes yourself whenever you need them!

It gives you the flexibility and freedom to make changes that align with your business needs. Whether it's adding a new product line, updating your Online Store's layout, or creating a promotional banner, you can easily make the changes you need to keep your store fresh and relevant.

But it's not just about convenience, it's about staying ahead of the game.

And the best part? You don't need to be a tech wizard to make these changes! Custom-designed Online Stores are built with user-friendly content management systems, allowing you to update your store with ease.

With the power to make changes yourself, you can keep your store looking great and running smoothly, without any hassle or headaches.

When it comes to choosing between a template or custom eCommerce store, there really is no competition. While a template may seem like a quick and cheap alternative, it provides a very limited room in which you can grow and develop your business.

So, if you're serious about your eCommerce business, a custom design is a must-have. It's the key to creating a unique and memorable Online shopping experience for your Customers, improving the functionality and usability of your Site, and staying ahead of the competition. Don't settle for a template that doesn't do your products justice.

So, what’ll it be? Template or Custom?