What are the red flags of bad ecommerce websites?

Written on July 30, 2024. Posted in Ecommerce.

The world of ecommerce is exciting and full of potential. There’s always room for something new! But there’s no room for bad ecommerce websites.

While some sites draw customers in and make the shopping process easy, others do the exact opposite.

Bad ecommerce websites can hurt a business in ways people might not even realize. But how do you spot them?

Poor User Experience (UX)

User experience is everything. Those who don’t think about it while developing an ecommerce site might have problems in the future. Think about the last time you shopped online.

If the website was slow, confusing, or hard to navigate, you probably didn’t stick around for long. That’s exactly what your customers might do! Bad ecommerce websites often suffer from poor UX design, which can make potential customers run away.

If your website takes more than a few seconds to load, users will likely bounce. This can be due to unoptimized images, too many plugins, or poor hosting.
Users should be able to find what they’re looking for quickly and easily. Users will get frustrated if your menu structure is unclear or your search function is ineffective.
With so many people shopping on mobile devices, you must have a fully responsive design. Bad ecommerce websites often look terrible on mobile, leading to a poor user experience.

To avoid these issues, focus on creating an intuitive user experience. Consider consulting with an ecommerce agency that can transform your business or experts to ensure your site meets the standards customers are looking for.

Outdated design and branding

First impressions matter, especially online. Customers might question your credibility if your website looks like it hasn’t been updated since the early 2000s.

Bad ecommerce websites often have outdated designs and branding that make them look unprofessional and untrustworthy.

Clunky buttons, outdated fonts, and bad color schemes can all make your site look dated.
Low-quality images, pixelated logos, and inconsistent branding can all detract from your site’s overall appearance.
Features like live chat, user reviews, and social media integration are standard on modern ecommerce sites. If your site lacks these, it might seem behind the times.

Poor product descriptions and images

When customers shop online, they rely heavily on product descriptions and images to make their purchasing decisions. They can’t see or touch the product physically. Bad ecommerce websites often have poor-quality product descriptions and images, which can turn customers away.

If your product descriptions are too short or lack detail, customers won’t have the information they need to purchase.
Blurry or poorly lit images can make your products look unappealing. High-quality, clear images are essential.
If your product descriptions and images don’t match up, it can cause confusion and mistrust.

Complicated checkout process

Checkout is the final step in converting a visitor into a customer. Bad ecommerce websites often have complicated, cumbersome checkout processes that can lead to cart abandonment. I know nobody wants that.

If your checkout process has too many steps or requires too much information, customers might give up before completing their purchase.
Offering a variety of payment options (credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.) can make it easier for customers to complete their purchases.
Unexpected shipping costs or fees can lead to cart abandonment. Be transparent about all costs upfront.

Consider implementing a one-page checkout or using a platform that specializes in smooth, user-friendly checkouts.

Bad customer support

Good customer support is essential for any ecommerce business. Bad ecommerce websites often lack adequate customer support, leaving customers frustrated and unlikely to return.

Customers should be able to easily find ways to contact you if they have questions or issues. A lack of contact information can be a major turn-off.
If it takes too long to get a response to a query, customers might lose patience and shop elsewhere.
Live chat or phone support can be incredibly helpful for customers who need immediate assistance.

Final thoughts

No customer wants a bad shopping experience. You can create a website that attracts and retains customers by focusing on user experience, keeping your design and branding up-to-date, providing detailed product information, simplifying the checkout process, and offering excellent customer support. At least for the beginning.

If you’re unsure where to start, consider consulting with a full-service ecommerce agency that can help transform your business.