8 Things to Look For When Choosing Web Design Tools

shiny computer mouse on a pink background

The best web design tools let you create elegant, intuitive pathways, from the landing page to checkout. You can optimize the look of your online store with web design tools that let you steer thecustomer experience, guiding visitors to the products you want them to see. Here’s a primer on using web design software tools for your ecommerce store.

What is web design?

Web design is a discipline that involves the visual layout of web pages. Web designers use software to arrange the various components of a website, including text, graphics, video, interactive modules, ecommerce capabilities, and site navigation. The goal is to create cohesive and visually appealing web pages with an intuitive layout.

w的关键因素eb design

Whether you’re designing your ecommerce store with a standard website builder or hiring someone to do it for you, keep the following in mind throughout the web design process:

Responsiveness

Mobile-responsive web designs render correctly on all devices, from desktops to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.Three-quarters of Americansreport buying products online using their mobile devices; building a store you can easily navigate on a phone can help ensure that customers make it through yoursales funnel.

Branding

In ecommerce, thebest website designsalways make it clear whose site you’re visiting. Include your company name or logo on every page of the site in subtle and obvious ways. You can also establish a brand identity by keeping a consistent color scheme, font, and authorial voice throughout the website.

Page speed

Internet users expect websites to load almost instantaneously. Fiber optics and 5G make this possible, but your website must hold up its end of the bargain. You can improve loading speed by optimizing your images to the smallest file size possible without sacrificing quality or overloading your site with memory-hogging plug-ins.

Conversion optimization

An ecommerce website aims to turn site visitors into paying customers. Using the best web design software, a smart web designer structures a site with internal links that take users to product pages and on to the checkout page.

Overall user experience

Visiting a website should be productive, hassle-free, and even fun. Many web designers are versed inuser experience (UX)anduser interface (UI) designprinciples, which they use to create intuitive interfaces for the sites they design.

What to look for in web design tools

Top web design software is your ally throughout yourecommerce website developmentprocess. Whether you use free tools like Google Web Designer or an all-in-one ecommerce hub like Shopify, prioritize the following key features:

Customization

Your ecommerce website should align with your brand identity. If you sell abusiness-to-business (B2B)service, such as a payroll system, you may want a more formal-looking site that appeals to B2B buyers. If you sell homemade jewelry to individuals, you may prefer a more art-forward design. Topweb design toolslet you tailor your site to your unique brand.

Templates

The leading web design systems come with customizable templates that provide a strong starting point to build from. You can then add web elements like HTML animations, background videos, and even a background web application to monitor site traffic. Shopify offers基于主题的模板.


Find a theme that speaks to your customers

Choose a theme that represents your brand, matches your business, and will speak to your intended audience.

设计你的网站


Ease of use

Gone are the days when website design involved a steep learning curve. Today, you can select an interface design tool that’s easy to use from the jump, regardless of your experience. Look for functions like built-in text formatting, photo editing, and the ability to embed HTML code, which lets you display things like videos, text documents, and ecommerce listings.

Full site-building capabilities

You can opt for à la carte web design software or get your design functionality from an all-in-one website building tool that provides managedweb hosting, acontent management system(CMS), and marketing tools like SEO customization. Many leading platforms, including theShopify website builder, bundle all these features in a single offering.

Domain name acquisition

If you choose an all-in-one website builder, look for one that makes it easy to找到一个好域名andregister that domainfor your exclusive use. Otherwise, you can still register a domain name if you go the à la carte route; for instance, you could use free blog design software and establish your website with a standalone domain registry service, likeShopify Domains,Google Domains, orNameCheap.


Find the perfect domain name

A domain name with words related to your industry signals to search engines like Google what your business and new website are about, and helps people to discover you online.

Search available domains


Collaboration tools

网页设计软件允许多个顶级设计师设计有限公司llaborate on web design projects simultaneously. All collaborators have access to the same functions, like a drag-and-drop editor or aprototyping toolthat lets you mock up ecommerce storefronts. Collaboration can speed up work times as you prepare your ecommerce site for launch.

Analytics tools

An analytics tool provides valuable data about your website visitors. It can reveal who’s visiting your online store, who’s giving you referral traffic, how many webpages the average user visits, how fast those pages are loading, and other information. Web designers who choose an all-in-one site builder appreciate a platform that providessite reports and analytics. You can use data from these reports to improve your web design and, ideally, your overall site performance.

Third-party app integration

Many ecommerce websites rely on third-party applications. Whether you opt for free web apps or subscription-based programs, you’ll find third-party apps for social media marketing,inventory management, email marketing, product reviews,dropshipping, and much more. A built-in app marketplace, like theShopify App Store, makes it easy to find the applications that will make your ecommerce store pop.

Tips for optimizing ecommerce web design

Ecommerce web design is a unique craft. To turn site visitors into paying customers, keep the following three tips in mind:

1. Make it easy and pleasant to shop on your site

Your job as an ecommerce vendor is to pave a smooth path from your homepage to the checkout. Choose design elements that load quickly, and avoid pop-ups and animations that overwhelm your visitors and make browsing a chore.

2. Remember, your purpose is to sell

With so many design options to choose from, it’s easy to get carried away with graphics, animations, and background videos—but these elements can compete with your ecommerce store’s core mission: making sales. Your products, not your design, are the star of your ecommerce site.

3. Use a mixture of built-in elements and third-party apps

Website builders can handle much of your online store design. If you need additional elements that aren’t included in your platform, you may find what you need indesign-focused appsthat can integrate with your site’s central architecture.

Web design tools FAQ

What is a web design tool?

A web design tool is a software application that lets you design the visual aesthetic anduser experienceon a website or ecommerce store. A web design tool can be a standalone piece of software, or it can integrate into a larger all-in-one website builder that offers other functions, like CMS and ecommerce pages.

Do I need technical expertise to use web design tools?

You need very little technical experience to use web design tools. Many of today’s offerings are simple and intuitive enough to be useful to anyone looking to build their own website; only a small number of these tools are intended for use by seasoned web design professionals.

How do I choose the right web design tool for my business?

You can experiment with different web design tools before settling on one. Look for a program that offers a free version or a limited free trial period, and use it to explore the capabilities of the tools on offer.

Topics: