If you’ve ever bought something online, you know what it’s like to make a purchase from an e-commerce store. You’ve already learned about e-commerce stores and how they work. In this reading, you’ll learn more about how customers navigate an e-commerce store and review the basic elements that make up an e-commerce store.
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When customers visit an e-commerce store, they might search for a specific product or just browse until they find products that meet their needs.
For example, imagine a customer is searching for a desk that their child can use at home. The customer might search for kids’ desks using one or more of the following methods:
- Search bar (usually located at the top of the page)
- Navigation menu (usually located at the top or left-hand side of the page)
- Links to specific categories or products on the page
Category links for kids’ desks and kids’ desk chairs
The customer might also research products in more detail to decide which one meets their needs or desires. For example, the customer searching for a kids’ desk might research the different types of desks available and what features they offer, such as storage compartments or a keyboard tray. They might research products on the e-commerce store’s website as well as other websites or sources. If the e-commerce store offers a buying guide, blog, or other information about buying a desk, the customer can learn more about the products they’re interested in buying without leaving the e-commerce store’s website.
The customer can also research specific desks that the e-commerce store sells by visiting the product detail page, reading the product description, viewing the product images or videos, reading customer reviews, and browsing images or videos uploaded by other customers.
Product detail page for a kids’ desk, with product description, product images, and customer reviews
Researching products can happen at multiple times during the customer shopping journey, such as before the customer visits an e-commerce store, after they add a product to their shopping cart, or even after their purchase (if the product didn’t meet their expectations and they need to return or exchange it).
Once the customer finds a desk they’re interested in buying, they can add it to their shopping cart. Sometimes a customer might add multiple products to their cart while they’re still trying to decide which one to buy. The customer might also decide to add other products to their cart, such as a desk chair, to go along with the desk.
Online shopping cart with a kids’ desk and desk chair
After the customer decides which products they want to buy, they’re ready to begin the checkout process. At this stage, the customer enters their payment, shipping, and billing information and any other details needed. Then, they complete their purchase.
E-commerce checkout page for a kids’ desk and desk chair
Basic elements of an e-commerce store
Most e-commerce stores contain certain elements that customers expect to find whenever they’re shopping online. Here are some of the basic elements you might find in an e-commerce store:
Home page
The home page is the main page of a website. It helps customers understand what types of products a company sells, helps them find the information or products they need, and serves as a main hub that connects to other pages on the website.
Home page of an e-commerce website
The navigation bar is a collection of links to other pages within the website. It helps customers find the department, category, or section of the website that will be most useful for them. The navigation bar is typically at the top or left-hand side of the page. It’s a fixed element, which means that it stays in place even when a customer navigates to a different page on the website.
The navigation bar usually includes a search function and a navigation menu to help customers find what they need. It may also include a link to the shopping cart and the customer’s account, as well as other helpful links. If the company has physical locations, the navigation bar may include a store locator.
The navigation bar also includes a menu with links to department or category pages. For example, an online store that sells furniture might include links to the kids’ furniture category or office furniture category. Within these categories, a customer would be able to find desks.
Navigation bar for an e-commerce website
Product detail pages
Product detail pages—sometimes called PDPs—are pages on an e-commerce site that provide information about a specific product. They typically include a product description, specifications or technical details, product images or videos, customer reviews, and any other relevant information about the product.
Product detail page for an e-commerce website
Shopping cart
A digital shopping cart is the virtual equivalent of a physical shopping cart. It holds all of the products a customer is planning to buy. The customer can add multiple products to their cart or remove products at any time. After the customer is finished shopping, they can click on their shopping cart and begin the checkout process.
Digital shopping cart for an e-commerce website
Checkout
During the checkout process, the customer enters their billing and shipping information. E-commerce stores use a payment service provider, which is a secure way to process transactions online.
If the customer has already created an account with the store, they can sign in to their account before checkout. This offers a faster checkout option, since the customer’s address and other information automatically populates in the required fields.
Help and support
E-commerce stores also include options for customers who may need help or support during or after the buying process. For example, the store might include a chat function so that customers can ask questions and receive answers online. There are often multiple ways to contact customer service and find self-help resources.
Typically, the store’s website also includes links to helpful information, such as frequently asked questions (FAQs), return and exchange policies, shipping policies, contact information, and details about the company and their values.
Links to these pages are often included in the footer, which is a navigation section at the bottom of the website. It includes a collection of links to other pages within the website. These are often supporting pages, such as customer support and services, policies, and information about the company.
Footer of an e-commerce website
Key takeaways
An e-commerce store should include several basic elements that customers expect to find on almost any e-commerce site they visit. This makes it easier for customers to navigate an e-commerce store, find the help or information they need, and complete their purchase.