E-commerce platforms are highly competitive, especially as they are places where buyers cannot physically touch or see the products beforehand. Therefore, building a beautiful and professional storefront is extremely important. A professional storefront image, associated with brand identity elements, will create a strong impression, attract customer attention, and build trust. This, in turn, boosts sales and strengthens the business's position in the online market.
How does building a professional brand image impact an e-commerce store?
Building a professional brand image plays a crucial role for an e-commerce store. First, it creates a strong first impression with customers, attracting their attention and sparking interest in the products. A professional brand image, including elements such as logos, banners, and high-quality product images, not only reflects the credibility and quality of the business but also helps customers easily recognize and remember the brand.
Moreover, a consistent and professional brand image fosters trust and connection with customers. When customers feel confident in the quality and professionalism of the store, they are more likely to make purchasing decisions and become loyal customers. This not only boosts sales but also builds long-term relationships with customers, strengthening the business's position in the e-commerce market.
Finally, in a fiercely competitive e-commerce market, a professional brand image helps a business stand out and differentiate itself from competitors. It creates a unique value and distinction that customers can recognize and remember, thereby enhancing competitiveness and supporting sustainable growth for the business.
Customer experience when visiting an e-commerce store
Store information
When first visiting an e-commerce store, users will immediately see key information about the store. These elements not only help customers understand the store but also create a crucial first impression. Specifically, this information includes:
- Store Name: The store name is prominently displayed, allowing customers to immediately recognize where they are browsing. It is usually the brand or store name, making it easier for customers to remember and return for future purchases.
- Store Avatar: The avatar is the icon or logo representing the store, typically featuring the brand's image or company logo.
- Cover Photo: The cover photo is a large image at the top of the store page, often designed to be eye-catching with vibrant colors and attractive visuals. It may include messages about promotions, special events, or featured products, drawing customers' attention.
- Store Rating: The rating is from 1 to 5 based on customer reviews, reflecting the quality of the products and services offered by the store.
- Number of Followers: This is an important indicator of the store's popularity and credibility. A store with many followers often conveys trustworthiness and attracts more customers.
These elements together provide customers with a comprehensive view of the store from the first visit. The store name, avatar, and cover photo create a strong initial impression, while the ratings and number of followers help reinforce trust and influence purchasing decisions. Presenting this information clearly and professionally not only makes it easy for customers to find what they need but also builds a reputable and attractive brand image.
Vouchers and Flash Sale Programs
After users have reviewed the basic information of the store, including the name, avatar, cover photo, overall store rating, and the number of followers, they will continue to explore the enticing offers provided by the store. Specifically, items such as discount vouchers and flash sale listings are often crucial factors in capturing customers' attention and encouraging immediate purchases. Here are details about these elements:
Discount Vouchers:
- Discount vouchers are usually displayed immediately below the basic information.
Details about the discount amount (e.g., 10% off, 50k off on orders over 500k, etc.). - Conditions and validity of the voucher, helping customers understand how to use and take advantage of the offer.
Flash Sale Listings:
- Flash sales often include products with significant discounts, typically 30% or more, attracting deal-hunting customers.
- Flash sales have a short duration (usually only a few hours or a day), creating a sense of urgency and encouraging customers to make a purchase immediately.
Campaign Banner
The campaign banner is a crucial part of attracting customer attention and conveying promotional messages, events, or marketing campaigns of the store.
Campaign banners are typically placed in prominent positions:
- Homepage: The campaign banner should be placed at the top of the store’s homepage to ensure it is immediately visible to customers upon arrival.
- Product Pages: Place banners on category and product detail pages to remind customers about current promotions.
Top-Selling Product Suggestions and Product Categories
The "Top-Selling Products" section is placed right below the campaign banners or in a prominent position on the store’s homepage.
After customers are drawn in by the basic information, vouchers, flash sale listings, and campaign banners, the next section to highlight is the suggestions for top-selling products and product categories. These elements are crucial in helping customers easily find suitable products and enhancing their shopping experience.
In addition to elements such as store information, vouchers, flash sales, campaign banners, top-selling product suggestions, and product categories, supplementary banners providing detailed information about product ingredients, benefits, and brand reputation also play a crucial role in building trust and enhancing the customer shopping experience.
With a well-organized flow of information and images, customers will be easily attracted and satisfied with their shopping experience. The combination of visual elements (images, banner design) and useful content (product information, promotions) will help customers make purchase decisions quickly.
Building a Professional Brand Image on E-Commerce
1. Logo and AvatarLogo: The logo design must be clear, easily recognizable, and accurately reflect your brand. It should have colors and a style consistent with your brand identity.Avatar: The avatar is typically an image of the logo or a distinctive brand symbol. The size and resolution of the avatar should be suitable for clear display on all devices.Standard Avatar Size: Typically 300px x 300px or 500px x 500px, with a maximum file size of 2.0MB and formats such as JPG, JPEG, PNG.Notes: Ensure the avatar is clear, prominent, with the logo centered and in eye-catching colors to attract customers.
2. Cover PhotoCover Photo: The cover photo is a key visual element that customers see immediately after the avatar when visiting the store. It should be high resolution and have standard dimensions to ensure good display on all devices. Recommended size for cover photos on Shopee is 1200px x 675px, and on Lazada is 1200px x 128px.Content: The cover photo can include the main message of the brand, slogan, or featured products. Colors and design style should be consistent with brand identity.Suggestions: Use the cover photo to announce major promotions, special events, or important store information.
3. Campaign BannersDesign Elements:Use sharp, clear, and appealing images to grab customer attention.Prominent Colors: Choose brand colors but ensure they stand out to attract attention.Readable Fonts: Use large, easy-to-read fonts to effectively convey the main message.Banner Content:Clear Message: State the main campaign message, such as “50% Off All Products,” “Buy 1 Get 1 Free,” or “Flash Sale from 12 PM to 2 PM Daily.”Promotion Details: Include details about the promotion, its duration, and any applicable conditions.Call to Action (CTA): Use clear CTA buttons like “Buy Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Discount Code” to encourage customer action.Platform-Specific Banner Examples:Shopee Main Banner: One image with standard size 1200px x 1200px (or 1200px x 2000px). Typically appears at the top of the store page to highlight new products or sales.Carousel Banner: 1 to 6 images that rotate, with the ability to link to products. Sizes include 2000px x 2000px, 2000px x 1000px, and 2000px x 1125px.Single Image Banner: Standard sizes of 1200px x 1200px or 1200px x 600px, displaying one image with up to 10 designs.Composite Banner: Displays up to 10 products and 10 links on one banner (ideally 6-7 products and links). Standard size is 1200px x 2000px or 1200px x 2200px.Single Banner: Standard size of 1200px x 600px, used for vouchers or new product introductions.Category Banner: Size of 1200px x 300px, helps differentiate between items for easier search and selection.
4. Product ImagesRole: Product images are crucial in influencing customer purchasing decisions. This is the first visual element customers see when searching for products, so investing in high-quality product images is essential.Shopee Requirements: Each product listing can include up to 9 images, including the main image. To ensure images are displayed well and clearly, shops should follow these standards:Size: 500px x 500pxResolution: 72dpiImage Requirements:Real Photos: At least one image must be a real photo taken by the shop to give customers a realistic view of the product.Layout: The product should occupy at least 40% of the image area.Color: Product images should have an attractive layout and color scheme to catch customer attention.
Optimize Images
Investing in the layout and colors of product images not only helps make your products stand out but also builds customer trust. Use a simple background with your brand colors to both highlight the product and ensure brand recognition.
5. Supporting Banners
- Product Ingredients and Benefits: Design banners that provide detailed information about the product's ingredients and benefits. Use illustrative images to highlight key features.
- Brand Reputation: Create banners that showcase certifications, awards, major partners, and significant customers of the brand. This helps build trust and credibility for the store.
Tips for Improving E-commerce Store Images
- Clarity and Sharpness: Ensure that product images are clear, sharp, and centered. Choose representative images where the product is prominent, with a white or transparent background, and avoid using frames to maintain a professional appearance.
- Multiple Angles and Detailed Information: Capture the product from various angles and provide detailed information such as specifications, usage instructions, and product classifications. This helps customers get a comprehensive view and makes it easier for them to make a purchasing decision.
- Preferred Formats: Use JPEG or WebP formats to reduce file size while maintaining high quality. Moderate image sizes help improve page load speed and enhance the user experience.
- Branding Elements: Include frames or logos in product images to provide additional information and attract attention. Use consistent styles and colors to build a strong and recognizable brand. Update frames for different campaigns and promotions.
Conclusion
Building a professional e-commerce store image is crucial for attracting and retaining customers in a competitive environment. Investing in high-quality images, detailed product information, and consistent design not only creates a strong impression but also establishes credibility and trust with customers. Don't forget to complement with an effective shipping strategy to ensure a perfect shopping experience. With these steps, your store will stand out and succeed on e-commerce platforms.
