World Consumer Rights Day: Do’s & Dont as an ecommerce Website

Ecommerce doesn’t just refer to popular shopping platforms like Shopee or Lazada, but it, in fact, refers to any transaction conducted over the Internet. Websites with ecommerce functionalities streamline the  buying processes by allowing businesses or individuals to buy and sell products or services over the internet. Ecommerce has revolutionised the way people shop, making it more convenient for consumers  to obtain a wide range of products and services from the comfort of their own homes.

World Consumer Rights Day, which is observed annually on March 15th, is a day to celebrate the achievements of consumer movements and to promote the basic rights of consumers. In the context of ecommerce, these rights include the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to be heard, and the right to seek redress.

Do you have a favourite ecommerce store that has never let you down?

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Ecommerce has transformed the way we shop. However, it has also created new challenges for consumer protection, particularly in areas such as online fraud, privacy, and product safety. As ecommerce continues to grow, the amount of ecommerce scams has also risen significantly, with an average of 9,000 scam cases being reported yearly. On World Consumer Rights Day, it is important to raise awareness about these issues and to encourage ecommerce companies to take steps to protect the rights of their customers.

Rampant scams have caused wariness among consumers, thus having the need for each ecommerce business to step up and provide a more comfortable experience for their audience. As a digital agency in Malaysia, Primal Digital Marketing Agency has worked with different ecommerce businesses and have put our brains together with these best practices for an online store to excel!

Do’s & Dont’s For An Ecommerce Website

Right off the bat, let’s get started with what you SHOULDN’T do if you run an online business. After all, when designing and running an ecommerce website, it’s important to avoid certain practices that can harm the user experience and damage your reputation.

1. False Advertising

False advertising or deceptive advertising is a form of advertising that misleads or deceives consumers about a product or service. As per the Consumer Protection Act 1999, misleading advertising is a criminal offence and can result in serious consequences for businesses that engage in this practice.

False advertising can harm both consumers and businesses. Consumers can be misled into buying a product that does not meet their expectations, and businesses that engage in false advertising can face legal action, penalties, and loss of reputation.

Online shopping is such a sacred, serotonin-inducing process for many!

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2. Ignoring Security Measures

Online security is a crucial aspect of ecommerce, as customers trust ecommerce websites with sensitive information such as their credit card details and personal information. If an ecommerce website is not secure, it can result in a data breach, putting customers’ personal and financial information at risk. This can cause irreparable damage to the business’ reputation, result in legal action, and lead to a loss of customer trust.

It is vital to remember that security is an ongoing process, and ecommerce websites should continuously review and update their security measures to stay ahead of emerging threats. Businesses should consider having a trusted website maintenance partner to constantly update website plug-ins to avoid any vulnerabilities within their online sites.

3. Cluttered/Non-User-Friendly Website Design

Having a confusing website design can negatively impact the user experience for customers and make it difficult for them to find what they’re looking for. This can lead to a high bounce rate, where customers leave the website without making a purchase, and reduce the overall effectiveness of the website. Avoid using technical jargon or complex language, and make sure that all product descriptions and instructions are easy to understand.

Remember that your website should cater for all age groups regardless of your target audience!

4. Neglecting Mobile Optimisation

With the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets, it is crucial for ecommerce websites to be optimised for mobile devices. Customers expect to have a seamless shopping experience, regardless of whether they’re using a desktop computer or a mobile device, and a website that is not optimised for mobile can result in a poor user experience.

Slow-loading websites can cause customers to leave the website and find a competitor, so it’s important to optimise the website’s images, videos, and other elements to ensure fast loading times on mobile devices.

What criteria are must-haves in an ecommerce platform ?

Source: Pexels

The Do’s for an Ecommerce Site

Now that we’ve got the don’t down to a tee, let’s have a look at some of your must-haves to hike up retail ecommerce sales!

1. User-Friendly Website

Making a website user-friendly is crucial for the success of an ecommerce business, as it can impact the customer experience when they shop online and encourage them to make a purchase. The navigation should be intuitive and easy to understand, with clear categories and sub-categories that make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for.

A good website is one with clear, concise information and optimised for mobile devices. The design’s layout, font size, etc., should automatically be adjustable  to fit the screen of any device. Of course, not forgetting that the website should load quickly, with optimised images, videos, and other elements that ensure fast loading times on desktop computers and mobile devices.

2. Diversified Payment Options

By offering a variety of payment options, customers can choose the payment method that is most convenient for them, whether it’s a credit card, e-wallet, or any other payment gateway. Having multiple payment options can increase trust in the website, as customers are more likely to make a purchase if they feel confident in the security of their payment information.

However, it’s vital to remember that each payment option may have different fees, processing times, and security requirements, so it’s important to research each option carefully before offering it on the website. By offering a variety of payment options, ecommerce businesses can create a user-friendly and effective website that provides customers with a seamless shopping experience and encourages them to make a purchase.

Pro-tip: If you are planning to offer your products and services to consumers not based in Malaysia, ensure that your e-commerce site can detect a shopper’s country and adjust the pricing accordingly. This is to ensure shoppers are aware of the actual price before purchase.

3. Clear Product Descriptions & Images

Clear, and concise product descriptions provide customers with the information they need to make a purchasing decision, such as the size, colour, and material of a product, as well as any additional features or benefits.

High-quality images of products, on the other hand, can help build trust and confidence in the website, as customers can get a better idea of what they’re buying and feel more confident in their purchasing decision. With both these components, ecommerce businesses can create a user-friendly and effective website that provides customers with a seamless shopping experience and encourages them to make a purchase. A helpful hint, while we say high-quality images, do ensure that image quality remains while its size remains small. 

4. Quick Checkout With Easy Shipping Options

Offering options such as standard shipping, expedited shipping, international shipping, and in-store pickup can provide customers with more control over the delivery process, which can increase the likelihood of repeat business. It is important to clearly communicate shipping times and costs so customers know what to expect and to provide tracking information to customers once their order has been shipped.

Phew, all these rules! Well, what if we tell you that your ecommerce website can be optimised and up-to-date…with the right agency by your side?

Optimising Your Ecommerce Website The Primal Way

When it comes to ecommerce sites, the technical aspects can be a little overwhelming, which is where Primal Digital  Agency came in swinging for many of our clients. At a time when they saw their website struggling, we put together a digital marketing plan comprising SEO services and Pay Per Click Marketing for their Malaysian audience.

With our digital marketing experts combined efforts, we managed to optimise our client website and reached new heights. With a business-to-business approach, our marketing plan is customised and guaranteed to make your enterprise more user-friendly.

So, have a look at your website. Do you need help? Then Primal Digital Marketing Agency is the one for you!