Creating designs for your BigCommerce store can feel like a puzzle at first. Many factors shape the way visitors experience your brand. But when you finally put in all the missing pieces, you see how beautifully they come together.
This guide will walk you through important design principles (the puzzle pieces) so your store stands out in a sea of online options.
Start with a Clear Brand Identity
Your brand identity is the cornerstone of your entire design. It includes your company’s values, colors, voice, and overall personality.
- Define your brand mission: Think about what you want your store to represent. Some businesses focus on fun and playful vibes, while others highlight quality or tradition.
- Pick consistent colors: Choose a primary color and one or two accent colors that you’ll use throughout your site. Consistency reassures customers and adds a professional touch.
2. Pick a Theme That Suits You
BigCommerce offers a variety of themes that you can customize.
- Look for ease of navigation: Busy shoppers prefer a smooth path to what they want. If it takes too long to find products, they might leave.
- Check customization options: Fonts, banner placements, and color schemes should be easy to update. This helps you add a personal twist that reflects your brand identity.
3. Organize Content with Visual Hierarchy
Visual hierarchy arranges information in an order that feels natural for the eye to follow.
- Prioritize headings: Important headlines and calls to action should appear in larger or bolder text to call attention to them.
- Group related items: Categories, featured products, and special offers should be placed in logical sections. This keeps visitors focused on your key offerings.
4. Use Colors to Highlight Key Elements
Color looks pretty, but it is also used to direct attention to specific sections.
- Accent colors for action: Buttons and calls to action can pop when they use your accent color. This suggests a clear next step for customers.
- Avoid clutter: Too many competing colors confuse visitors. Stick to a balanced palette that guides people toward important details.
5. Choose Fonts that Reflect Your Brand
Fonts shape the tone of your website in a big way.
- Pick easy-to-read text: Busy or overly decorative fonts can feel distracting. Go for fonts that look good on desktop and mobile devices.
- Stay consistent: Use one main font for headings and another for body text. This keeps everything neat.
6. Make Product Photos and Videos Shine
Customers can’t hold or try your products in person. A solid visual presentation helps them imagine the real thing.
- Use multiple angles: Show products from different perspectives to build confidence in what’s for sale.
- Offer context: Lifestyle images give shoppers a better idea of how an item might fit into their daily routine.
- Consider short videos: Quick demos or 360-degree views can boost sales by providing extra clarity.
7. Keep an Eye on Page Speed
Slow pages turn away potential buyers.
- Optimize image sizes: Large image files slow down your site. Compress them so they load faster without losing clarity.
- Remove unnecessary plugins: Too many add-ons can bog down performance. Keep only the ones you truly need.
8. Make Your Store Mobile-Friendly
A growing number of shoppers use smartphones and tablets.
- Adapt layouts: Images, text, and menus should rearrange to fit small screens without awkward scrolling.
- Use clear buttons: Small text links can frustrate mobile visitors. Larger, easy-to-tap buttons are friendlier for fingers on tiny screens.
9. Balance Creativity with Usability
A visually pleasing store should also be easy to explore.
- Avoid info overload: Large blocks of text can discourage reading. Short paragraphs and clear visuals improve engagement.
- Stick to a logical layout: Header, categories, product listings, and contact info all belong where visitors expect to find them.
Give Your BigCommerce Store the Spotlight
Designing a memorable online presence takes time, effort, and skill. If you’d rather let the experts handle everything, our team at Epic is here for you.
We’re a full-service digital marketing agency specializing in BigCommerce. From designing layouts that match your unique style to developing special features that help boost sales, we’ll make sure your store is polished and professional. Message us now, and let’s create that eye-catching design for your sto
