Ecommerce website design tips for small retailers
11th August 2025
posted 11th August 2025
Do you have a small shop and want to sell your products online? A great website can help people find your shop, trust you, and encourage people to buy your products.
In this blog, we’ll share some simple and smart tips to help you design an ecommerce website that works well and looks great.
1. Keep the design simple
Don’t make your website too busy. A clean, simple look helps people find what they want fast.
Image: An example of a clean and simple home page
Tips:
- Use only a few colours.
- Keep things easy to read.
- Make buttons big and clear.
2. Optimise for mobile devices
Lots of people shop using their phones, so it’s important that it works well on mobile devices. Your website needs to look good on small screens too.
Image: An example of a responsive website design
Tips:
- Make sure everything fits on a phone screen.
- Use a mobile-friendly navigation, like a hamburger menu.
- Buttons should be easy to tap.
- Don’t use pop-ups that are hard to close.
Image: An example of easy navigation
Tips:
- Use simple menus at the top.
- Add sorting filters like price, A-Z, etc
- Have a search box they can type into.
4. Use great product photos
Great photos go a long way. Being online, people can't touch your products online, so show them good pictures!
Image: An example of good product images
Tips:
- Use big, clear photos.
- Show your products from different angles.
- Show your products being used (like someone wearing it or holding it).
You can get some tips on how to create your photos here: https://www.webfactory.co.uk/blog-articles/how-to-take-great-product-photos
5. Write helpful product information
The information that you give your customers can help sell your products. Tell people what the product is and why they’ll love it.
Image: An example of a good product information
Tips:
- Write in short sentences or bullet points.
- State the size, material, and how to use it.
- Explain how the product would help them.
6. Make your checkout easy
An easy checkout can increase the chances of converting a sale. Don’t make customers click too many times to buy something.
Image: An example of an easy checkout
Tips:
- Let them buy without making an account.
- Keep checkout simple and the steps short.
- Show shipping costs clearly.
7. Gain their trust with reviews
Having real customer reviews can help your reputation and credibility as a seller. People want to know your shop is safe and real.
Image: An example of how to display customer reviews
Tips:
- Let customers leave reviews.
- Show safe payment signs (like PayPal).
- Tell them about your return policy.
8. Check your website loading speed
Having a slow website can frustrate buyers. If your website is slow, people will leave. Making sure your website is optimised is important.
Image: Google speed checker
Tips:
- Use small images or optimise them so the page loads quickly.
- Don’t add too many videos or big files.
- Use a good website host.
Image: An example of clear CTAs
Tips:
- Use words like “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart.”
- Make buttons big and bright.
- Put buttons where people can see them fast.
Image: An example story page
Tips:
- Tell how you started your shop.
- Share photos of you or your team.
- Talk about why your products are special.
Summary
You don’t need a fancy or expensive website. Just keep it clean, clear, and easy to use. A good website helps people trust you, love your shop, and come back for more.
Want help building your shop online?
Contact us, we love working with small businesses like yours!