User Experience and Retail: Welcome to the Age of E-Commerce

User Experience and Retail: Welcome to the Age of E-Commerce

With the goal of enhancing user experience, digital transformation has been present on almost all platforms possible. Through the years, it has kept change constant as it opened doors to alternatives.

Digital processes have become a key to productivity in operations, customer reach extension and diversification, and simplification of work systems. In other words, convenience in daily ventures, not to mention its influence in different industries like accounting, tourism, construction, and most especially, commerce, marketing, and advertising.

Since the invention of the internet and its rapid expansion that has led to the creation of a large electronic commerce (e-commerce) industry, traditional retail stores have had significant challenges keeping up with the pace of change. Trend impacts the way things are done, and demands quite a lot of legwork in order to adapt to the needs of the consumers, all behind the reason of economical balance and growth.

This has led to an era and generation that relies on digital processes. Otherwise, businesses might not flourish as it was expected to be in this time. Even individuals, have been swiftly, but not completely depending on technology. Anytime soon, people will probably be turning their backs on manual and keep digital as the main process for daily productivity and entertainment.

E-commerce ; Buying online

E-commerce Process

Focusing on commerce, most, if not all, have adapted to the said transformation. Businesses encourage consumers to download the brand apps by promoting them in social media pages and sites, and accommodating their queries about the products/services in-app.

When customers have finally decided to purchase, checking out options for cashless payments are also involved through digital ways like PayPal, and other bank fund transfers.

Apart from that, shifting of the retail industry to electronic, home delivery options are also involved in keeping shopping convenience in the hands of the customers. Consumers can take advantage of the available shipping options often shown on the product’s checkout page.

 

User Experience in Action for E-commerce

The user experience both in physical shops and in the electronic platforms are crucial to the success of a modern retail store.

In terms of the physical store, it is important for managers to understand how customers engage with the products. What products sell the most? Where should certain products be placed? What type of pricing system should we use?

These are some of the key questions needed to be answered beforehand. Since traditional stores have been around for a long time, user experience in these physical stores are taken very seriously.

Meanwhile, in online and electronic, user experience spearheads the drive to continue using the app after promotion and download. It is equally important to consider, understand, and deliver high-quality user experience in both areas. This is especially since the customer feedback and reviews are easily visible to other interested and emerging buyers online.

The influence of product reviews online has just been one of the foundation of customer trust. In line with that, today’s consumers want applications to be fast, smooth, easy to navigate and intuitive. Furthermore, there are design factors aside from user experience design such as the color application and text positioning that play a critical role in the user experience as well. Keeping an excellent experience is key to make it through the market.

Buying online, ecommerce user experience

Important Tip

It all begins with the user research, where you have to find out as much as you can about the customers and their expectations. Then you develop an application that suits their needs whilst also having the elements of speed and beauty built in.

Factors such as ease of access to products, secure payment methods, promotions and advertising also need to be considered. Afterwards, this application needs to be tested with users and continuously improved based on the feedback received.