Today we have a special treat for our creative entrepreneurs but specifically for our e-commerce business fam. We’re chatting with an e-commerce brand and web design EXPERT: Abbey McGrew.

Today we talked with Abbey all about e-commerce web design and some practical tips and strategies you can implement on your site to increase sales and conversions. Abbey shares 3 common mistakes founders make on their websites and how to fix them, what pages to prioritize on your site, suggestions for startup founders who can’t afford the investment of a custom brand & site design quite yet, how to balance aesthetics with clear and concise user experience, and even an EXACT layout formula of a good e-commerce homepage. 

 

Abbey’s Story 

Abbey is the founder and creative director of Wayfarer Design Studio. Known for her heart-led approach to design, Abbey helps thoughtful e-commerce founders to bring their brands to life through visual identity, packaging, and web design. She believes that great branding is more than skin deep and always finds a way to weave deeper meaning into every last detail of her work.

 

Top mistakes you might be making with your website

1. When you are building your website for your business you’re thinking about YOUR priorities and what you want people to do. You set everything up wanting people to buy something, all the copy is directed towards the goal, but maybe that’s not a new customer’s first priority. We get so focused on our own priorities of what we want customers to do, we forget to address the customer’s priorities. 
2. Uploading image files that are enormous. That can slow down the speed of your website. 

Sections on your homepage

The first section (hero section): address what you do, who you do it for, and how it helps them. Include some kind of call to action. Include imagery of the product. 

After that “give them what they want”, people are coming to your site and they have one specific goal. Whatever you think is the top priority in your target audience that should be the second section. A product slider, quick links, etc. 

Building trust and credibility. Sprinkle something in that will establish your credibility and push them over the edge. Could be testimonials, reviews, or press features. 

After that it is up to you, it could be an “About You” or if you have a featured product. It’s whatever you think people really want to find first on your site. 

 

Navigation lineup

Home Page– most important and need the most attention

Shop/Collections– a drop-down that lets them quickly jump to specific categories.  

*If ingredients are a big selling point or the sourcing/process that should be a top priority page. 

This helps gain the trust of your customers. 

Returns & exchanges should be more subtle. People are now trained to know that a link to that will be in the footer. 

 

The Balance  between user experience and navigation ability with having a luxury design

Would your grandma be able to use this website? Would she be able to find what she wants to find? For an exercise, you can write down all of the titles of the links and then write down the drop downs and put it on notecards and put them in the order you would access them on the website. Then show it to people, and see if they would be able to find the different navigation pages. Do it with people of different ages or tailor it to who your actual clients are. 

 

What is your favorite podcast?

2 Black Girls 1 Rose Podcast 

 

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in business?

Where the heart leads results will follow. Trusting my gut with where I should go and do for my business. Listening to that and knowing that where your heart leads, results will follow. 

 

Show notes

Burnout Freebie: www.theheartuniversity.com/burnout 

 

Contract Templates: www.theheartcontracts.com

Use the link above for 10% off! 

 

Heart Shop Apparel: www.theheartuniversity.com/apparel 

 

Follow along with Abbey: 

https://wayfarerdesignstudio.com/resources

www.instagram.com/wayfarerdesignstudio

www.wayfarerdesignstudio.com

 

If you want to connect with us and other listeners in the Heart and Hustle community join our Facebook group here.

 

PODCAST10 for 10% off anything from The Shop!

www.theheartuniversity.com/shop

 

Follow along:

www.instagram.com/mrslindseyroman

www.instagram.com/evierupp

www.instagram.com/theheartuniversity