Customer shopping on an e-commerce website

Designing Websites That Convert: Best Practices for E-commerce

November 10, 2025 Matt Grayson Web Design
Creating an effective e-commerce website requires more than attractive visuals—it’s about user experience, functionality, and seamless navigation. Discover actionable best practices to optimise design and boost your store’s conversion rates while providing real value to your customers.

Optimising the E-commerce Experience
An e-commerce website is more than a digital catalogue. It serves as the main touchpoint for customer interaction, purchases, and support. To succeed, focus on clarity and ease of use throughout the shopping journey. Prioritise simple navigation, fast page loads, and clear product showcases with compelling images.

  • Highlight key features and benefits next to calls to action to help customers make informed choices.
  • Incorporate trust signals such as reviews and secure payment badges to inspire confidence.
  • Responsive design is a must, as customers shop from various devices and screen sizes.
These elements come together to create a memorable and effective online experience.

User Journey and Conversion-Driven Design
Mapping the user journey reveals touchpoints where users may abandon or convert. Streamlining the checkout, limiting pop-ups, and offering multiple payment options reduce friction. Intuitive search and filtering make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for.
Visual hierarchy, strong contrast, and ample white space lead visitors naturally to priority products and offers. Avoid cluttered layouts and overwhelmed pages, focusing instead on a clean, modern interface.

Building Trust and Loyalty Online
Transparency matters in e-commerce. Provide detailed product information and answer common customer questions up front. Featuring FAQ sections and customer support links helps resolve hesitations.
Communicate shipping, returns, and data security policies clearly, enabling customers to shop with peace of mind. The more open your site feels, the more likely shoppers are to return. Results may vary, so ongoing optimisation and feedback collection are key to continuous improvement.