Online Retailers Getting It Right
Some online retailers just get it right. While some have certain features that make them stand out, others offer an excellent all-round experience. In this article, we explore some of our favourite e-commerce sites. Not all of them are perfect, but we feel that each retailer has specific aspects that others can learn from. If you’d like to know more about these top-notch stores, keep reading!
ASOS
The first online retailer getting it right is ASOS. The company offers a great example of e-commerce best practice, as well as excellent social media presence and customer service. The tone of voice is consistent across all marketing platforms, adding a level of strength to its overall branding. It’s also worth mentioning that the company have an app, offering personalised fashion ‘edits’ and push notifications based on your browsing history.
AO
Previously Appliances Online, AO is another online retailer that’s getting it right. Not only is the website easy to navigate, but the company is also completely honest with the viewer, posting its Trustpilot rating clearly on the ‘about us’ page and talking about its efforts to save the planet. The site boasts great use of social proof, containing star-rated reviews from past customers. Better still, all the information customers need to decide whether to purchase is present, including quality photography of the product from all angles, and even a short ‘review video’. Each product page also uses a sticky header, reminding viewers which appliance they’re viewing whilst reading the specifications.
Treatwell
The next spot on the list is taken by Treatwell. With this handy site, there’s no need to search for salons or call up to book your appointment; instead, you can find everything in one place and book online. The website and the app are similar, both with a categorised search menu so visitors can easily search for their preferred beauty treatment. When you open the app, you’re greeted with a list of your favourite venues and upcoming bookings, allowing you to easily re-book a treatment you’ve used in the past.
When browsing, the app and site will find nearby salons based on your current location. There’s also the option to filter by features such as customers rating and price. If a salon catches your eye, simply hit the ‘details’ icon to find out more information. This is particularly helpful if you’ve never had a certain treatment before. Booking and paying for your treatment is also a breeze, with many salons offering payment via Google Pay, PayPal and Apple Pay. If you’d rather pay upon arrival, that’s fine too! Simply choose your date and time and select the ‘pay at venue’ option.
Boohoo
Boohoo is a leading online fashion retailer, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does the site offer affordable prices but it also constantly refreshes the stock. This gives loyal customers a reason to return to the site again and again. On the homepage, viewers can enjoy the dedicated ‘New In’ category to see the most current stock. There’s even a ‘New In Today’ sub-section, allowing dedicated shoppers to get their hands on fresh stock every day. Another thing Boohoo does well is delivery. With various options including standard delivery and collection services, the site provides several options to choose from.
Bloom & Wild
Bloom & Wild is an online florist offering a wide range of bouquets. One of their best sellers is ‘letterbox flowers’, which can easily fit through the receivers letterbox. If you’re sending a loved one flowers, you don’t have to panic about them being at home to receive them. If the recipient is out, the flowers can be posted through the letterbox. The site also benefits from customer-centric navigation and design. As it’s mobile-friendly, users can scroll through the bouquets on their smartphone or tablet without leaving the landing page. You can also upgrade your flowers before the checkout, allowing you to view your bouquet with the added extras before making a decision. Once you’ve chosen your bouquet, you can add a personalised message and checkout in a few simple steps.
Ocado
One of the best things about Ocado’s site is the detailed reviews on its products. Interestingly, this is pretty unusual for online grocery stores in the UK, giving Ocado an edge over its competitors. This social proof can help shoppers to choose between products based on the opinions of past customers. In addition to easy navigation, the site offers a few ‘bonus features’ including a recipe section, which displays meals in-line with the current season, and specific dietary requirements. As well as providing meal ideas, the recipe section makes it easy to add the ingredients to your basket. Upon choosing a recipe, the ingredients appear underneath with a clear ‘add to basket’ button. Better still, you can add food donation vouchers to your shop and Ocado will donate food worth double the value to their charity partners – generous or what?!
Printed
Printed.com is a leader in customised printing. With a wide range of customisation choices, you can create the greetings cards, flyers and invites of your dreams and have them delivered straight to your door. The site uses a ‘drag and drop’ interface, allowing you to easily place and edit elements until you’re happy with the preview. Once you’ve selected your product, a detailed product summary will appear on the righthand side of the screen. This will show your selections for far, allowing you to easily edit these if you change your mind. Once you’ve made your selection, the site will calculate the price of your order based on your choices. As this price is updated each time you make a change, there will be no nasty surprises at the checkout!
So, there you have it – the list of online retailers getting it right. If you’re hoping to learn a thing or two, visit the e-commerce sites above and take note.