This article provides a comprehensive guide to online store design in the apparel industry, simplifying the process of building an e-commerce store for clothing and apparel businesses.
The following topics will be discussed:
- Why do I need an online store?
- What are the characteristics of a good online store?
- Conclusion
Why do I need an online store?
With the advancement of technology and the widespread use of the internet, people across all demographics increasingly prefer online services.
Individuals search for information and answers online. For example, someone looking for the price or details of a garment will likely search online instead of visiting physical stores, finding a wealth of information including price, features, user reviews, and similar products.
This behavior is driven by the ease of accessing vast amounts of information. Even many customers intending to buy in person (especially in the clothing and apparel sector)
often research online beforehand, sometimes even selecting items for purchase before visiting physical stores.
Let's examine the behavior of a customer who researches online before buying in person:
They find their product among similar items, obtain the necessary information, and are now ready to purchase.
If, on the online store page, they see a reputable store with positive user reviews, a professional website, diverse payment options, online after-sales service, and trusted site seals, will they choose in-person or online purchase?
A more crucial question for those yet to enter the online world is: why shouldn't my business and products be visible to users?
There's no doubt about the increasing popularity of online shopping; existing data and examples show a high demand for online bulk purchases.
Reasons and benefits of having an online store:
- Nationwide reach and no geographical limitations
- Unlimited concurrent product views
- 24/7 service availability
- Increased sales
- Better management and monitoring of invoices, user behavior, etc.
- Gathering product feedback from buyers
- Market competition
- Lower costs of online stores compared to physical stores
- Popularity and demand for online shopping
Nationwide reach and no geographical limitations:
A challenge for physical stores is the inability to reach customers outside their operating area. However, with an online store, customers worldwide can access your website.
This expands your customer base beyond a specific region, boosting sales.
Unlimited concurrent product views:
How many customers can your physical store accommodate simultaneously? Can you handle hundreds of thousands or even millions of users?
How many staff members can you have to handle this?
Websites eliminate this limitation. With professional web application development and proper infrastructure, you can easily serve a massive number of users.
Remember that product information should be comprehensive and user-friendly to cultivate loyal customers.
24/7 service availability:
Reports from major Iranian websites show many users browse the internet late at night.
Providing 24/7 service is challenging and expensive for physical locations.
24/7 service doesn't always mean constant customer support. Customers can access your website at their convenience to shop peacefully.
If needed, you can add 24/7 online customer service as your business grows.
Increased sales:
By eliminating the time and location constraints of physical stores, website visits and product views increase significantly. With effective content aiding decision-making, sales will rise.
High-traffic websites aggregate products from various businesses, potentially increasing your visibility and sales.
Better management and monitoring of invoices, user behavior:
Beyond the customer-facing website, there are admin panels or dashboards. Only authorized personnel can access these.
In admin panels designed by the Rahkarpouya team, access is dynamically controlled. The system administrator grants or revokes access to specific sections.
Our e-commerce panels include content management, product information, marketing tools, sales and CRM features, an internal financial system with integration capabilities for financial software, inventory management, shipping, loyalty programs, reporting, etc., increasing organizational efficiency.
For instance, marketing, order processing, financial and inventory management, shipping, and after-sales service are automated or scheduled, making them faster and more efficient than traditional methods.
Gathering product feedback from buyers:
Collecting direct or indirect feedback from customers or leads is easier in online systems. Detailed reports on purchasing, sales, and inventory processes help sales and finance managers understand organizational behavior, allowing them to improve business operations and customer service. Direct customer feedback, such as product reviews, is also easily collected.
Market competition:
Many businesses now have both physical and online stores to expand their online presence. Some operate entirely online. Online competition provides valuable experience and keeps businesses up-to-date.
Lower costs of online stores compared to physical stores:
Setting up a physical store can be very expensive, especially in prime locations.
The design and development costs of an online store and its infrastructure are significantly lower.
Popularity and demand for online shopping:
Statistics from major Iranian and international websites show a growing preference for online shopping.
With technological advancements and website development tools, online shopping is becoming easier and websites more appealing. The Rahkarpouya team is constantly working to improve UI and UX.
Designing a clothing and apparel store:
Online apparel shopping might seem challenging for some products or customers, but the high search volume for clothing and apparel and the growing preference for online purchases allow you to establish your online business.
By designing a dedicated online store, you can offer unique assistance to customers compared to other e-commerce sites. This will be discussed in the conclusion.
What are the characteristics of a good online store?
Online stores, especially in the apparel industry, should have the following features:
1- User-friendly linking and navigation:
Categories and menus should be designed to allow users to easily find products. A tree-like structure is recommended, showcasing main categories first, then allowing users to delve into subcategories. This improves user experience and adheres to SEO best practices for URLs.
* Example implemented by Rahkarpouya in the MIT Shop project and admin panels
2- Site search:
In addition to navigation, users should be able to search for products using keywords. Ensure your site search functions correctly and accurately, and place the search bar prominently.
3- Website footer:
Use the footer to link to products and pages that need more visibility.
This guides users and helps with internal linking.
4- Product videos:
Some users prefer video content to text. Creating product introduction, review, or demo videos can attract more viewers.
Share these videos on video-sharing platforms to drive traffic to your store.
5- Product reviews:
Collecting product reviews helps you assess product performance and assists other users with their purchases.
It also enhances user engagement.
6- Return policy:
Clearly state your return policy, ideally on product information pages, and be generous. This builds trust and encourages purchases.
7- Frequently asked questions about products:
Include a FAQ section to help users and reduce support inquiries. This also keeps the page active.
8- Frequently asked questions about the store:
Include FAQs about the store, shipping, and order placement to aid users and reduce support inquiries.
9- Invoice status tracking:
Allow users to track their order status. Integrate with shipping APIs to provide users with detailed tracking information.
10- Notifications and marketing:
Collect user phone numbers to send promotions, discounts, announcements, and notifications. This keeps your brand top-of-mind.
11- Notifications:
Use notifications for announcements, discounts, and promotions on your website and app.
12- Online chat:
Allow customers to easily ask questions. Make the chat widget easily accessible on all pages.
* Example implemented by Rahkarpouya in the Omrantel and Fiko Shop and Arzif Shop projects
13- Discount codes:
Use discount codes to encourage purchases. Promote them on your website through banners, notifications, etc.
14- Product filters:
Use relevant filters on product listing pages to help users easily find items.
15- Mobile app:
A mobile app increases brand recall. Users can easily access your store without using a browser or messenger.
* To see Rahkarpouya's completed projects, filter by "application".
16- Sign-up bonus:
Offer a sign-up incentive, such as an automatic discount, to encourage registration.
* Example implemented by Rahkarpouya in the Fiko Shop project
17- Loyalty program:
Implement a loyalty program to retain customers through discounts and offers. Encourage repeat purchases with tiered rewards.
18- Banners:
Use homepage banners for linking, product introductions, announcements, and notifications.
19- Physical store information:
If you have a physical store, include its address and details to build trust. Offer in-store pickup or delivery options.
Conclusion:
Building an online store may seem challenging, but the benefits outweigh the difficulties. Maintain an online presence through websites, social media, etc.
Stay up-to-date with technological advancements to ensure your business remains competitive.
