5 Ways Retailers Can Capture Mobile Shoppers

The increasing trend of consumers using mobile devices instead of PCs or brick-and-mortar stores to shop has created a need for retailers to improve their websites for optimal return. From load time to the nuances of how the text is represented on the page, there are many factors that will turn a visit to a website into a transaction. For example, according to Kissmetrics, 47 percent of consumers expect a web page to load in two seconds or less, and a one second delay in page response can result in a seven percent reduction in conversions. Below are a few tips on how to design a user-friendly online shopping experience:

1. Pay attention to the location of the navigation bar and search box
   It is critical for a website user to find the search box, and they are much less patient when using mobile devices. Space on mobile devices is very limited and they do not have room for complicated multi-level navigation, it is better to design a simplified navigation and make it fixed on the top.
2. Improve page download speed
   As mentioned with the statistics above, the faster a page downloads, the more likely it is for a consumer to turn a browsing experience into a conversion. By optimizing codes, pictures and JavaScript codes, the pages will load quicker and look better.
3. Ensure quality of product pictures
   For an e-commerce website, product pictures are one of the most impactful reasons that users will make a purchase. Sleek, effective pictures with important details and information need to be shown properly, clearly and of course, quickly.
4. Understand the impact of the text and its composition
   Shoppers are impatient to get through text introductions when using mobile devices. Put pictures to highlight spots, or use small sentences and links to guide users to the next step. Less is more: the page should not be crowded.
5. All clickable options must be finger-friendly
   When using mobile devices, almost all operations are done by finger clicks. Buttons or other links should be big enough for users to use their fingers to click. 

Keeping these five attributes of a mobile website in mind is important, especially going into the holiday season. Shoppers tend to search for the best deals online, and having a mobile website that is designed for success will help bring in profitable transactions.

Photo credit: CURSORCH