Functional Online Store

Functionality is the most important part in the development of an online store, which must be paid special attention. The more optimal the set of functions of the online store - the more comfortable the customers feel.

What functional should be considered optimal? This question does not have an unambiguous answer. Depending on the subject of trade, the requirements for a set of functions may also change. However, this set for 95% of all online stores is the same. Consider the general functions of the online store, which are needed in most cases. All of them can be divided into several groups:

• Search functionality or simply search and selection of goods;
• Demonstration - for presenting goods to customers;
• Information functional, responsible for informing customers;
• Communication functional, responsible for communication with customers;
• SEO - functional, which facilitates the promotion of the online store in the search engines;
• Social functionality, for example, social networks buttons;
• The functional responsible for integration with external systems.

Any creation of an online store begins with the preparation of a technical assignment. In it you need to clearly define all the necessary functionality, as changing the technical assignment may entail additional costs for rework. However, it must be remembered that it is almost impossible to envisage everything from the very beginning. In connection with the development of the online store may need additional features and options. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a basic functional, with the possibility of its subsequent expansion.

Search functions and options

Search, sorting, filtering and selection of goods - these are the most necessary functions of the online store, without which you can not conduct successful sales. Having come to the site, the potential buyer must find the goods that he needs. That's where the search functionality of the online store comes into effect.

Search for products - implies the availability of functions for the search for goods in the catalog of goods online store. Usually implies the presence on all pages of the online store search line.

Sorting of goods - implies the function of ordering goods in the catalog based on such parameters as:

- Price (from cheap goods to expensive, and vice versa);

- The name (by the alphabet of names);

- Rating (if there is a rating function) of goods by buyers. From the most popular to the less and vice versa.

- This function also applies to the necessary, since for most buyers, the limiting and determining factor of the purchase is the price, therefore, it is necessary to have at hand similar functionality.

Filtering and selection of goods - implies the choice of the catalog of goods on the necessary parameters.

Comparison of goods. Creating an online store, you need to remember that now there are many products that are very similar in their parameters and to find differences between them is much more difficult than similarity. But the price can vary by an order of magnitude. To make it easier for customers to make a choice in favor of a particular product, it is necessary to include the comparison function in the online store.

Demo functionality

In most cases, it is enough to list the parameters of the goods only with a text list and also show the goods from all sides. That is, in simple terms, it is enough to describe the product in conjunction with a normal photo gallery. Unfortunately, to date, most online shops neglect these simple tools for sale. Either the description is not complete, or the photos are not clear, or there is not one of them. In most cases, from such online stores, buyers leave without buying anything. However, there are cases when there are not enough photo galleries and descriptions for a successful sale.

Of the functions that are often used in domestic online stores, you can note the zoom function, that is, the magnification of the image and its detailed consideration in the "magnifier" effect.

The accompanying goods and services allow to increase the value of the average check in 1,5-3 times depending on the business subjects. Most start-ups forget about this simple and useful function. But in addition to net profit, this function also increases the quality of the service provided.

Also a very useful feature is similar products. Since we live in a free market, in one price category, goods from different manufacturers with different characteristics fall. To increase the number of sales, consider creating a module of similar products in your online store.

The module "You recently watched" allows the client to quickly return to the recently viewed product. It is not always necessary, however, it also increases the usability of the site and can be a good addition to the functionality of the online store.

Presentation and announcement of new products, discounted products and hits. Each developing online store constantly updates and replenishes its range. In this regard, there is always an urgent need to make new products visible to the buyer. It is also worthwhile to put on the front line products that have already found the trust of buyers - sales hits. If the range of goods is changing, then many goods fall under the markdown and are sold, so the prices for them are greatly reduced. Therefore, it is necessary that your new developed online store has the functionality to represent these types of products. The presentation of goods usually occurs in the form of sliders and lists.

Information Functionality

Newsletters to buyers. A simple and standard module for an online store, which additionally stimulates customers to purchase. Especially everyone likes the markdowns and sales, when the goods can be purchased at half price. In the absence of such a module, the customer who bought in your online store and was satisfied, even when in urgent need, may not remember about you when he decides to do something to buy, but if you have this module, you first constantly remind you about yourself Second, you encourage a person to buy. It is necessary to remember that large online shops, 80% of their profits are received at the expense of regular customers!

Publish news and useful information on the site. This functionality is more of an image than a selling one, since useful information is an excuse for reflection, not for shopping. If there is an information board on the website, where the dates of sales are published, the terms of the shares, and there is information about manufacturers and suppliers, this increases the credibility of the site, which is important.

Communication Functionality

Communication with clients. "We have to work with a client" is the motto of any seller. To do this, you need to provide customers with quality technical support and there must be at least one manager-consultant in the staff of the employees. However, this is an organizational issue, but the technical issue is to provide the online store with the necessary communication functionality. For the creation of an online store you need to clearly identify the availability of communication tools, otherwise you can lose customers.

Now there are many options for such functionality, and it's very unwise to use all the options on one site, because with too wide a choice the client can be lost. However, the availability of fast and free means of communication is mandatory. So, what can be useful:

• Online chats on the site of the online store (usually in the form of a chat with a consultant);
• Feedback;
• ICQ-manager;
• Skype;
• Free phone (usually for expensive projects);
• A call from a site;
• Call back order;
• Modules ask a question about the product.
• SEO-functional

SEO-functional. The presence of SEO functions is necessary, since any serious project should be promoted in the search engines, and without search optimization, TOP can not be seen. The SEO functions include the ability to write unique meta tags description, keywords, titles. Also worth noting is the validity of the code, that is, its purity and correct spelling. It is necessary that the script of the online store does not generate duplicate pages of the site.

Social Functionality

Social functions. The development of social networks gave rise to a separate direction in the development of Web technologies. Public opinion strongly influences the personal opinion of everyone, therefore a separate part of the functional of the social plan should be created in the online store. At a minimum, classic social bookmarks, integration modules with social networks Facebook and Youtube should be present on the site. You can also note commenting modules from social networks and stand-alone. This functionality allows you to attract the buyer's attention to a particular product, allows you to use someone else's experience when shopping, allocates your online store relative to others.

Mobile version of the online store

You can not call this item a function, since the mobile version is created either separately, or the online store scripts are prescribed so that it works correctly in mobile phone browsers. Also, this item should include the correct operation of the online store in devices manufactured by Apple (Macbook, iPad, iPod, iPhone). The size of mobile online users is growing every day and you need to remember this in order not to lose customers.

When creating a website, WebiProg developers recommend using the basic functions of an online store described in the article, but there are many others that can be useful in a particular area of business. In any case, carefully read the terms of reference. Check whether everything is considered successful, and whether there is room for expansion.