An online store is a sales website that has certain components to make payments online. Know what are the elements of a virtual storefrom the basics to the most advanced.
The shopping cart and the product catalog are some of the first elements of an online store that come to mind, when thinking about what a web page must have in order to . But, do you know what else an e-commerce needs to have?
In this post we will review the basic elements of an online store. We will also talk about others that are not so basic, but that will help you to provide a better service to your customers. Get to know them and apply them in your virtual store!
What is an online store?
An online store is a web page to sell that has a kind of virtual catalog of products and integrations to receive payments. Unlike other sales platforms, in a virtual store or website with a shopping cart, the seller has direct contact with the buyer and also has total control over the management of their sales.
Okay, now that we’re on the same page, let’s go over some of the basics of an online store. 🛒
Elements of an online store
In the construction of your virtual store or sales website, there are certain components that you must keep in mind for the proper functioning of your business. Here we list the 24 elements of an online store. Take note!
- Brand name and logo
- Product catalog
- Menu with categories
- product finder
- shopping cart
- carousel banner
- Payment methods
- shipping methods
- contact page
- registration process
- About us page
- purchase policies
- Notice of Privacy
- Own domain
- SSL or security certificate
- FAQ or frequently asked questions
- Blog
- Offers and promotions page
- Social networks and other sales channels
- chatbot
- newsletter
- Ratings and/or reviews
- Recommendation system
- Notifications push
Let’s talk about each of them grouping them according to the category to which they belong, do you think?
Basic elements of an online store
To this segment belong those components that yes or yes have to be in your online store since they guarantee the correct functioning of your enterprise.
- Product catalog
- shopping cart
- Payment methods
- shipping methods
- contact page
- purchase policies
- Notice of Privacy
- SSL or security certificate
- product finder
Let me explain more about each of these elements and what role they play in enabling purchase on your online store.
1. Product catalog
The product catalog is one of the elements of a virtual store that cannot be missing. It is vitally important that photos of these products are of excellent qualitythat show each piece in its entirety and reflect the identity of the brand.
The is essential in the catalog, since it will serve to give your customers all the information they need to know to define themselves for the purchase.
💡 Tip: Clearly distinguish between products you have in stock and those you don’t. For the latter, you could offer the option to notify your customers when it is available again. If you have a Tiendanube you can use the application to automate this type of messages. Don’t lose any sale!
2. Shopping cart
The shopping cart is the part of the online store in which the products selected by the buyer are stored. It is important to place in a conspicuous place of the page and take care that the information it displays is as transparent as water.
What do we mean by this? To what, when your customer accesses their shopping cart, have a clear view of what they are going to buy and how much they are going to pay. It is advisable to show the final price broken down into unit cost, discounts (if any), taxes, shipping costs, etc.
For example, when you go to buy a product in the Tiendanube, you have the possibility of calculating the shipping cost before the check out just by entering your zip code. It also shows you how much you will pay if you decide to defer your
The dynamic shopping carts They are very practical, since they offer the option of making modifications to the purchase order (such as adding or deleting items) without having to start over. This undoubtedly improves the user experience in your store. 😉
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3. Means of payment
Offer different forms of payment and integrations with , Provide flexibility to your customers and generate greater trust.
Some of the most used are payment by credit or debit card, payment through a third party (such as PayPal, Mercado Pago, Kueski Pay), bank transfer, payment at convenience stores (such as Oxxo) and payment in cash on delivery. .
4. Shipping methods
As in the previous point, the greater the diversity of , the greater the chances that your customers will find an option that fits your needs.
For example, you can offer a method of Express delivery which may have a higher cost, but assure your client that they will obtain their purchase in a shorter period of time than conventional shipping.
Or just the opposite, a free shipping for non-urgent orders. To offer free shipping in your store, you will have to sit down and do some calculations, to understand how profitable this action is for your business and at what times of the year it is convenient to carry it out.
And when it comes to shipping, remember to have a handy and easy method for the . Your customers will appreciate it.
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5. Contact page
Customer service is one of the pillars of any business, and virtual stores are no exception! Make sure you have a contact page in view where you offer one or more ways to contact the brand to resolve doubts or express comments.
It can be a telephone line, an email, the brand’s social networks and even a live chat, a practical and economical option is .
Establishes attention schedule and always tries to respond as soon as possible to offer excellent customer service.
6. Purchase Policies
Be transparent about cancellation policies, guarantees returns, discounts, promotionsand so on.
Try to put all this information in an easily accessible place, such as the main menu or the footer (footer), and explain in detail to avoid misunderstandings with your buyers.
💡 .
7. Privacy Notice
As in any other web page that saves personal data of users, it is essential that your virtual store has a privacy notice.
This document serves to let the owner of the personal data know that their personal information will be collected and used for certain purposes. It must also be specified what treatment will be given to your personal data.
8.SSL or security certificate
This certificate serves to guarantee that your store is safe to enter personal data. The is displayed in the URL, which usually starts with “https://”.
💡 Type: when creating a virtual store with Tiendanube, you will automatically obtain the SSL certificate.
9. Product Finder
Integrate a helps improve the user experience. It is a very useful tool for those customers who are looking to buy something specific.
Put it in a visible place, make sure it returns the right results and it’s fast!
💡 Tip: If you offer the option to autocomplete searches, you will be giving your customers ideas of everything they can find in your e-commerce.
Design elements of a virtual store
The design elements in your online store add to the picture and the look and feel of your business, since through colors, typography and images they transmit the added value of your brand. Meet them!
- Brand name and logo
- carousel banner
- Menu with categories
- Own domain
Let’s explore more about each of them and how they add to your online store.
1. Brand name and logo
Essentials! Potential customers visiting your store will want to know where they are in cyberspace and who are they going to give their money to. It is recommended that it be clear, easy to remember, and enduring.
Be careful not to clutter the site with the logo and/or name! It is about finding the perfect balance so that it is identifiable and provides a positive image to your brand.
For example, Tiendanube has a typographic logo that is kept at the top of the page at all times.
💡 Tip: Still haven’t found the perfect name for your brand? , will give you hundreds of ideas for free!
2. Carousel Banner
The carousel banner is that component that is usually found under the category menu and allows you to highlight and publicize products of interest to the user, new releases, promotions and more. If you use it properly, this component can enhance the image of your virtual store more than you can imagine.
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3. Menu with categories
If your product catalog is extensive, we recommend organizing it into categories. Define the classification with strategy and try to give each category an understandable and descriptive name. Avoid creating too many categories and subcategories, because they could end up confusing your customers.
La Tiendanube, which sells women’s beachwear, groups its products into five large categories: One Pieces, Bikinis, Cover Ups, Dresses and Accessories. This makes it very easy to find specific products.
4. Own domain
A domain of your own will give your store professionalism and also, if it describes the type of product you offer, it can add points to the SEO of your page. Although it is not essential to have one to sell — especially if you open your store in Tiendanube — having one with your brand name adds points to the image of your business and the trust of your customers.
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Elements of a virtual store that improve the shopping experience
Although for many, these elements are basic in an online storeThey are not mandatory as such. If you decide to include them in your online store, they will be a plus for your buyer, improving their experience and the way they relate to your brand.
- registration process
- “Who we are” page
- FAQ or frequently asked questions
- Blog
- Offers and promotions page
- Social networks and other sales channels
- chatbot
- newsletter
- Customer ratings and/or product reviews
- Referral system or related products
- Notifications push
1. Registration process
In many online stores you must comply with a registration process to be able to buy. The objective? Add the customer to a database to communicate with him in the future.
This is not a mandatory element of an online store, you can define if it is useful for your business. In case you decide to enable it try to ask only the essential information because, if your client considers it too invasive or complicated, he could abandon the cart of…
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