Ever landed on a website and thought, “Wow, this is exactly what I was looking for!”? That’s how great design works. It’s not pretty pictures but creating an experience that guides your customers effortlessly from browsing to checkout.
With BigCommerce website design, you have all the tools you need to craft a store that doesn’t just look good but drives serious results. Get ready to learn what it takes to build a site that wows your visitors and boosts your bottom line!
Knowing Your Audience
Before starting any design, you need to know who you’re designing for. A website that resonates with your audience doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built with intention and starts with a deep understanding of your customers.
Research your target customer
Your target customer determines everything about your website’s design. Are they bargain hunters who appreciate clear discount tags and simple navigation? Or are they luxury buyers looking for sleek layouts and aspirational imagery? Knowing who your audience is helps you decide on visuals, functionality, and even the tone of your content.
Create user personas
Building user personas makes it easier to tailor your design. Think of personas as profiles of your ideal customers: their age, interests, shopping habits, and what they expect from an online store. For instance:
- A busy parent might appreciate easy-to-read navigation and prominent “add to cart” buttons.
- A tech-savvy buyer might be drawn to interactive elements and sleek animations.
Keep these personas in mind so you can fine-tune everything from your site’s layout to its color scheme to deliver a shopping experience that feels personal.
Mobile vs. desktop users
Did you know more than half of all online shopping happens on mobile? Designing with both mobile and desktop users in mind is non-negotiable.
- For mobile users, focus on responsive designs, easy-to-tap buttons, and fast loading times.
- For desktop users, make use of wider screens to showcase more products and detailed visuals.
When you design with your audience’s preferences and behaviors in mind, you set the stage for a site that feels effortless to use—no matter how they shop.
Core Design Elements for Success
Creating a successful BigCommerce website design means nailing the fundamentals. These core elements are must-haves if you want your site to convert visitors into customers.
A clean, intuitive navigation
Your navigation is your map. If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’re gone. Here’s what you need to remember when designing it.
- Mega menus vs. simple menus – Mega menus work well for stores with extensive product ranges, offering a clean way to organize categories and subcategories. Simple menus, on the other hand, are perfect for smaller stores or brands focused on a streamlined experience. Choose based on your product catalog and audience preferences.
- Breadcrumbs for clarity – Breadcrumbs are like GPS for your site. They help users track their location, whether they’re browsing categories or diving deep into product pages. With breadcrumbs, customers never feel lost, making their shopping experience smoother.
A mobile-first design
More shoppers are using their phones than ever before, so your design needs to work flawlessly on mobile.
- Responsive templates – BigCommerce offers templates that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes. This ensures your site looks and functions beautifully, whether it’s on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop.
- Touch-friendly features – Buttons and menus should be easy to tap without zooming in. Think large buttons, swipe-friendly galleries, and drop-down menus designed with thumbs in mind.
Compelling visuals
The right visuals do more than catch the eye—they build trust and tell your brand’s story. Use them properly.
- High-quality imagery – Crisp product photos, lifestyle images, and professional banners can make your site look polished and trustworthy. Avoid grainy or poorly lit images—they can undermine customer confidence.
- Consistent branding – Your logo, colors, and typography should reflect your brand identity and stay consistent across all pages. A cohesive look reinforces your brand and builds recognition.
Speed optimization
Fast websites make happy customers. Slow websites? Not so much. Here’s what you can do to fix slow sites.
- Fast-loading pages – A few extra seconds of loading time can mean lost sales. Optimize your images, minimize large scripts, and use BigCommerce’s built-in tools to keep your site running fast.
- BigCommerce performance tools – BigCommerce includes features to boost speed, like Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) and image optimization. Use them to ensure your site loads quickly for every visitor.
Clear calls-to-action (CTAs)
Your CTAs should do more than exist—they should drive action. Here’s how to make your customers go from browsing to checking out their carts.
- Strategic placement – Position CTAs where users are most likely to see them—on banners, product pages, and above the fold on landing pages.
- Design for clicks – Make your CTAs stand out with contrasting colors, short and compelling text (“Shop Now,” “Add to Cart”), and a sense of urgency. A well-designed CTA can turn browsers into buyers.
The User Experience (UX)
User experience is at the heart of any successful eCommerce site. When your BigCommerce website design focuses on making every interaction smooth and enjoyable, you’re more likely to convert visitors into loyal customers. Here’s how to create a seamless experience for everyone.
Seamless checkout process
The checkout process can make or break a sale. A clunky, complicated flow is a surefire way to lose customers at the finish line.
- Guest checkout options – Forcing account creation is one of the biggest barriers to purchase. Offering guest checkout keeps the process simple and quick, especially for first-time customers. BigCommerce allows you to enable this option easily, giving shoppers the flexibility they want.
- Streamlined steps – Fewer steps equal less friction. A single-page checkout or a progress indicator showing how close customers are to completing their purchase can make a huge difference. Keep forms short, autofill options enabled, and unnecessary fields out of the way.
Accessibility features
A truly great website works for everyone, regardless of their abilities.
- ADA compliance basics – ADA compliance makes your site inclusive for all users. This means designing with features like text alternatives for images, keyboard navigation, and clear color contrasts. It’s good ethics and good business.
- BigCommerce tools for accessibility – BigCommerce offers tools and apps to help make your site compliant, like plugins for screen readers or widgets for adjusting text size and contrast. These additions not only broaden your audience but also protect your business from potential legal risks.
Search functionality
A strong search feature helps customers find exactly what they’re looking for—fast.
- Predictive search – Predictive search auto-suggests products as users type, saving them time and effort. BigCommerce supports this functionality, making your store feel modern and intuitive.
- Filtering options – Robust filters let customers refine search results by price, category, color, or other attributes. This customization ensures shoppers can quickly narrow down their choices, creating a more efficient and satisfying experience.
BigCommerce-Specific Design Tips
BigCommerce provides the tools you need to create a stunning and functional website, but knowing how to make the most of these options can set your store apart. Whether you’re starting with a pre-designed theme or using advanced tools, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Leveraging BigCommerce themes
Themes are the foundation of your website’s design. BigCommerce offers both free and premium options to fit every business.
- Premium vs. free themes – Free themes are a great choice for businesses just starting out or looking for simplicity. They’re professional, functional, and ready to go with minimal adjustments. Premium themes, on the other hand, often come with additional features, more layout options, and enhanced customizability. The choice depends on your budget and the specific needs of your store.
- Customizing themes – BigCommerce themes, free or premium, are flexible enough to be tailored to your brand. From tweaking colors and typography to rearranging layouts, you can make an off-the-shelf theme uniquely yours without starting from scratch. Use the built-in theme editor or collaborate with a designer to align the site perfectly with your brand identity.
Integrating Third-Party Design Tools
If you want to go beyond what themes offer, third-party design tools can elevate your site’s look and functionality.
- Page builders – Page builders like pageBuilder Pro integrate seamlessly with BigCommerce to help you design custom pages with drag-and-drop simplicity. These tools allow you to add unique layouts, optimize landing pages, or create promotional content without needing advanced coding skills.
- Advanced features – For an added wow factor, consider incorporating elements like video backgrounds, interactive animations, or scrolling effects. These features can create a memorable shopping experience that keeps visitors engaged. BigCommerce supports these advanced customizations through integrations and third-party apps, making it easier than ever to stand out.
Testing and Iteration
Great website design isn’t a one-and-done task. To truly succeed, you need to constantly test, learn, and refine. Analyze how customers interact with your BigCommerce site and then make informed decisions to improve the user experience and boost sales.
A/B testing for design choices
Small tweaks can have a big impact, and A/B testing is the best way to find out what works.
A/B testing involves showing two versions of a page to different audiences to see which performs better. For example, test:
- The color and wording of your “Add to Cart” button.
- Different homepage layouts to see which keeps visitors engaged longer.
- Product page designs that highlight features or reviews more prominently.
- Even small adjustments can lead to significant improvements in clicks and conversions.
Using BigCommerce analytics
BigCommerce provides robust analytics tools that track user behavior across your site. Use heatmaps, bounce rates, and conversion data to understand what’s working and where users drop off. These insights help you identify areas that need optimization and measure the success of your tests.
Gathering customer feedback
Your customers are your best resource for improving your website design. Here’s how to get their take on your site:
Surveys and reviews
Ask your customers for their honest feedback. Use surveys to learn about their shopping experience or invite reviews on specific aspects of your site. Questions like “Was it easy to find what you were looking for?” or “What would improve your checkout experience?” can uncover valuable insights.
Iterative improvements
Feedback is only useful if you act on it. Take what you learn from surveys and reviews to adjust your design. For instance:
- If customers mention difficulty navigating, simplify your menus or add breadcrumbs.
- If they find the checkout process too long, streamline the steps or add guest checkout.
- Regularly revisiting and tweaking your design ensures it stays aligned with customer expectations.
(Don’t forget to design for SEO. Here’s an informative read on why your store needs it: Why your BigCommerce Store Needs Professional SEO)
Conclusion
A well-designed website is a powerful tool for growing your business. Focus on thoughtful design to improve the customer experience and your bottom line.
Investing in your website design is an opportunity to set your brand apart. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to optimize an existing site, prioritizing design will pay off in the form of higher sales, stronger customer relationships, and a more professional online presence.
Let’s Build a Website That Works as Hard as You Do
Your BigCommerce store deserves more than just a good design—it needs a great one. At Epic, we specialize in crafting websites that are not only visually stunning but also drive real results.
If you need a fresh start or want to make your current site better, we’ve got the tools, expertise, and passion to make it happen.
Contact us today, and let’s create a BigCommerce website that stands out, sells more, and keeps your customers coming back!
