Research and retrieval of news articles by:
Bennett Gold LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants

SPECIAL NOTE TO ALL VISITORS:
Effective December 31 2012, articles are no longer being updated on this web site.
The site is now maintained as an historical archive, covering notable e-commerce news articles from the period 1999 to 2012.

THE ART OF E-COMMERCE WEB DESIGN

Posted on January 29, 2002

      Before you can design a winning Web site you need a comprehensive blueprint, and that begins with defining the purpose -- as well as prioritizing the various objectives -- of your Web site. Over the last few years, too many e-businesses have launched with unfocused goals and, as a consequence, awkwardly designed Web sites that quickly falter.

      Is the purpose of your Web site to brand and position your company online? Do you want to impress customers with fancy design and Flash? Do you want Internet users to call you or visit your physical store? Or do you want to generate high revenue with shortest sales cycle possible -- pure e-commerce?

      Sadly, in executing e-commerce Web design, many of these goals have been conflated, misunderstood or poorly prioritized, in turn jeopardizing the overarching sales objectives of a business Web site. In other words, when developing an e-commerce Web site, it's customer acquisition (read: revenue stream) that should remain your top design priority. That means a sharp distinction needs to be drawn between the art of Web design and the art of designing a marketing-driven e-commerce Web site.

Three Web Design Anchors for Smart E-Commerce

      To efficiently reach e-commerce goals, a marketing-driven Web site is going to be your vehicle. That means planning your Web site -- and orienting your Web design -- around three guiding "design anchors."

      Design Anchor No. 1: "Your Value Proposition": What's your unique selling proposition? What benefits do you offer that differentiate your business? What features or services do you offer that unequivocally build value while giving you a definitive edge over the competition? Distilling your unique value proposition and communicating it quickly and clearly on your Web site is the first element of profitable e-commerce Web design.

      Design Anchor No. 2: "Your Target Audience": Understanding your market -- and defining the needs of your target demographic -- is an essential part of any business enterprise. Online it's no different: Design not for yourself, but for you target audience. Articulate meaningful benefits and situate your style and content in the context of your customers' immediate needs and desires.

      Design Anchor No. 3: "Task-Analysis -- Achieving a Defined Objective": Once your value proposition is being communicated to your target customer, you need a clear, focused sales process. Here, analyze the components of your sales channels, provide the necessary educational steps and requisite product information, and design a Web site that optimizes action while eliminating distraction. Make it easy for customers to buy from you.

Designing for the 'One Second Principle'

      On the Internet, you only have one second. One second to make a powerful impression. One second to establish your professionalism and start building trust. One second to generate the interest of your target audience. One second to begin downloading your value proposition and to initiate a compelling sales overture.

      The three design guidelines above serve the one-second principle well and provide a blueprint for effective Web site marketing and sales flow.

      Most online shoppers have little time to waste on brand-building Flash, sluggish multimedia plug-ins, overindulgent mission statements or content that serves no end. As Gartner research suggests, convenience, usability and marketing clarity are so important they rank even higher in importance than price for online shoppers.

      Given these survey results, successful Web design means having a tactical rationale for the placement of every graphic, every image and every word. And that means knowing your customers, anticipating the needs of your customers and answering their questions before questions are even asked.

      While more abstract issues like branding are not entirely inconsequential online, the process of "building a brand" should come only as an after-impression, a coefficient of a powerful sales platform.

      Customer acquisition should remain the primary goal, and nothing -- neither Flash nor corporate branding -- should interfere with your marketing and sales agenda.

      Does that mean that design and aesthetics are not important? No, it only means that form should serve function on e-commerce Web sites, not the other way around. Art rarely serves utility. In fact, authentic art usually struggles to subvert it. That's why art, by itself, won't sell your products online.

E-Commerce Alerts are issued by Bennett Gold LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as situations develop. Bookmark this site and check back often. Our e-mail address is: info@BennettGold.ca

In accordance with United States Code, Title 17, Section 107 and Article 10 of The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, the news clippings on this web site are made available without profit for research and educational purposes.

ALERT
ARCHIVES
Final Entries
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999