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The 7 essential features of a modern e-commerce site



The 7 Essential Features of a Modern E-commerce Site explains the technical and UX levers essential for converting, retaining, and growing in 2025, with practical examples and operational solutions.


Design and mobile-first experience for a performant e-commerce site

Careful design and a MobileFirst approach are the foundation of a compelling Digital Showcase. First impressions often make the difference between a visit that translates into a shopping cart and one that ends. Typography, visual hierarchy, colors, and CTA placements should be carefully chosen to guide the user to action.

The common thread here will be the SME "Atelier Nora," a fictional ready-to-wear brand looking to transition from a physical store to a profitable e-commerce site. Atelier Nora illustrates how a MobileFirst design can increase smartphone interactions and the length of user sessions.

  • Prioriser readability: adaptive text sizes, sufficient contrasts, large clickable areas.
  • Put the product in the center: large format images, multi-angle gallery, performant zoom.
  • Simplified navigation: clear menu, logical filters, predictive search bar.
  • Avoid distractions: Reduce intrusive pop-ups and optimize microinteractions.

To illustrate, Atelier Nora tested two templates: one with a dense homepage and the other with a refined product highlight. The second model, orienté MobileFirst, reduced the bounce rate and improved the average time spent on product pages. These results confirm the importance of responsive design and adapted information architecture.

Element UX impact Priority
High resolution images Better product perception, increased conversions High
MobileFirst Mobile accessibility, top rankings on mobile High
Navigation by categoryories Simplified search, reduced time to find a product Average

The implementation of an Interactive Catalog improves the experience: enriched files, dynamic filters and recommendations based on history. This type of catalog increases the average basket value by offering relevant complementary products, while remaining consistent with the visual identity.

Concrete technical advice:

  1. Use modern image formats (WebP) and a CDN to reduce latency.
  2. Implement responsive CSS layouts and relevant breakpoints for 320–1440px.
  3. Priorize content above the fold on mobile.
  4. Test accessibility (WCAG contrasts, keyboard navigation and screen readers).

Practical resources for further research: A UX audit can reveal pain points and suggest measurable adjustments. DualMedia supports UX design and can recommend optimized page templates; consulting the UX Trends 2025 analysis makes design selection easier: UX design: new trends for 2025.

Key Insight: A well-executed MobileFirst design reduces friction and increases sales, transforming the Digital Storefront into a truly seamless shopping experience.

Optimized checkout funnel and optimized cart to increase conversions

The checkout funnel is the last touchpoint before conversion: its design must minimize abandonment and maximize trust. An Optimized Cart relies on a transparent journey, reduced steps, and abandonment recovery mechanisms.

Atelier Nora redesigned its funnel by integrating one-page checkout, cart save options, and address pre-filling via common APIs. The result: a significant reduction in abandonment rates and an increase in mobile conversion rates.

  • Make account creation optional to speed up the process.
  • Clearly display costs: products, taxes, delivery, any fees.
  • Offer local payment options and Secure Payment to reassure.
  • Include trust badges and visible return policies.
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Statistics and context: Studies show that a long checkout is the number one cause of abandonment. By limiting fields and offering alternatives (PayPal, wallets, payment in installments), it's possible to measurably increase conversion rates.

Optimization Objective Indicator
One-page checkout Reducing friction Reduced order time
30-day shopping cart backup Buyer Recovery Return to cart rate
C1TP4Automatic address extensions Reduce delivery errors Reductions in shipment failures

Technical implementation: integrate address verification APIs, enable completion via social accounts (e.g., Facebook), and offer the ability to securely save the payment method. The Smart Check-Out approach speeds up the process and automatically fixes small input errors.

Upselling and cross-selling must be present but contextualized. Placing relevant suggestions within the Optimized Cart allows you to increase the average order value without compromising the experience.

Technical checklist for a performant tunnel:

  1. Reduce the number of fields to the bare minimum.
  2. Use progressive formulaires and real-time validations.
  3. Secure transactions with TLS and card tokenization.
  4. Offer local and wallet payment alternatives.

Useful links: for technical implementation and tunnel audit, consult the step-by-step guide: develop the best e-commerce site, and avoid common mistakes lors of creation: website creation errors.

Key Insight: Optimized Cart and Secure Checkout reduce abandonment and increase trust, converting traffic into recurring revenue.

Email marketing, abandoned cart recovery and connected loyalty

Email marketing remains a cost-effective way to re-engage and retain customers. Automated campaigns target specific segments and bring back customers, often with a higher ROI than other paid channels. The tool must allow for personalization, segmentation, and intelligent alert scheduling.

Atelier Nora implemented an automated scenario: a reminder 24 hours after abandonment, a targeted discount offer after 72 hours, and a post-purchase follow-up to solicit a Customer Review. This strategy increased the cart recovery rate and improved margins through additional sales.

  • Automated and personalized abandoned cart reminders.
  • Newsletters segmented by purchase history and composition.
  • Reward programs based on ConnectedFidelity and cumulative points.
  • Trigger emails: birthday, saved cart, product recommendations.

Technical features to be expected: modular templates, A/B testing, tracking of opens and clicks, and CRM integration. An advanced emailing system allows you to program workflows and automate reminders according to complex scenarios.

Email type Objective Recommended frequency
Abandoned cart recovery Recover lost sales 24/7
Product newsletter Engagement / Promotions 1-4x per month
Post-purchase email Collecting opinions and building loyalty 1x after delivery

The key element is personalization: including the customer's name, products viewed, and recommendations from the Interactive Catalog. A ConnectedLoyalty program helps convert occasional buyers into repeat customers by offering measurable benefits.

Case study: Atelier Nora leveraged relationship persistence, offering a promo code after two purchases or exclusive offers to program members. The result was an increased repeat purchase rate and better customer lifetime value (CLTV).

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Best practices :

  1. Use a recognized sender and a consistent sending address.
  2. Segment by completion and average basket.
  3. Test objects and content to improve openness.
  4. Connect email to CRM to personalize offers.

Key insight: a mastered emailing system and a ConnectedLoyalty program convert abandonments into opportunities and strengthen customer relationships.

SEO Plus: Technical SEO and content to boost the visibility of an e-commerce site

Natural SEO remains a pillar for generating qualified and sustainable traffic. SEOPlus involves both technical optimizations and a internal networking relevant and product content optimized for specific purchasing intentions.

Workshop Nora has undertaken a SEO audit : Optimizing meta tags, enriching product sheets with unique descriptions, and implementing structured data to improve display in search results. These actions have significantly increased the organic share of traffic.

  • Unique and richly documented product sheets to avoid cannibalization.
  • Structured data (schema.org) to improve SERP display.
  • Manage filters and settings to avoid duplicate content.
  • Performance: loading time and mobile compatibility (MobileFirst).

Technology alone isn't enough: content must address buyer queries. Writing buying guides, integrating a technical FAQ (indexable), and maintaining a blog linked to the catalog all help capture long-tail queries.

SEO Action Profit Priority
Structured product data Better visibility and CTR High
Mobile optimization Mobile and UX ranking High
Long content format Organic traffic on the long tail Average

Tools and resources: monitor algorithmes developments, audit URL structure, and ensure image quality (alt tags). DualMedia offers SEO support tailored to e-commerce and applied technical recommendations: 10 tips to boost SEO and a comparison of relevant CMS for 2025: CMS used in 2025.

Case in point: After deploying RéférencementPlus for Atelier Nora, the main category pages climbed in the top results for local keywords, driving increased organic traffic and direct sales without additional advertising budget.

Key insight: Investing in SEO, plus structural and targeted content, helps you get qualified traffic that converts better and over the long term.

Secure payment, delivery options and logistics strategies for express delivery

The post-order experience begins with the payment method selection and delivery promise. Offering a variety of options increases conversions, while secure payment instills trust. Flexible delivery methods, including Express Delivery, meet today's consumer expectations.

Atelier Nora integrated over 50 payment methods to cover local preferences and installed differentiated delivery options based on cart and geolocation. This diversity reduced abandonment due to delivery fees or delays.

  • Offer multiple local payment methods and international wallets.
  • Highlight security: SSL certificates, PSD2, 3D Secure, tokenization.
  • Offer delivery options: standard, express, relay point.
  • Transparency on costs and deadlines from the product sheet.
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Comparison table of options:

Method Advantage Constraint
Bank card (tokenized) High conversion, fast Transaction fees
Wallets (PayPal, Apple Pay) Fast payment, trust Variable commission
Express delivery Immediate customer satisfaction Higher logistics cost

Technical aspects to watch out for: refund management, integration with ERPs, and real-time synchronization of shipping statuses. Automation of labels, tracking, and automatic notifications reinforce the professional perception of the service.

Practical resources: DualMedia supports the configuration of payment methods and the implementation of optimized logistics routes. To understand the commercial impact of payment and delivery choices, consult the panorama market figures: e-commerce figures Paris 2025.

Key Insight: A well-communicated mix of Secure Payment and Express Delivery options reduces friction and increases trust, a key factor in closing the sale.

Interactive, multishop catalog and instant support for a complete customer experience

An Interactive Catalog goes beyond a simple product list: it includes dynamic filters, personalized recommendations, and adaptive presentation modes. The ability to manage multiple stores (MultiShop) and languages facilitates internationalization.

Atelier Nora launched two storefronts: one for France and one for Spain, synchronized on the inventory side via a multi-shop solution. The result: unified inventory management and price optimization by market.

  • Interactive Catalog: filters, list/grid views, product comparison.
  • Multilingual multishop: prices and content adapted by country.
  • SupportSnapshot: Real-time chat, chatbot for FAQs and human escalation.
  • Integrated Customer Reviews for credibility and product optimization.
Function Customer value Example of use
Dynamic filters Quick search Search by size, color, availability
Chatbot + live chat Immediate response SupportSnapshot for order tracking
Customer Reviews Social proof Stars, comments, customer photos

Instant Support minimizes abandonment by responding to objections in real time. The bot/human mix guarantees 24/7 service with escalation to an advisor for complex cases. Structured Customer Reviews reinforce credibility and positively influence conversion rates.

Integrating third-party tools requires careful management of performance and security. For a customized technical deployment, DualMedia offers architecture and integration services: choosing a mobile web agency and a guide to creating an e-commerce site: guide to creating an e-commerce site.

Key Insight: An Interactive Catalog combined with a well-integrated Instant Support and Customer Reviews increases engagement and lends credibility to the Digital Showcase.

Why should an e-commerce site prioritize mobile? e-commerce site

A mobile-first e-commerce site increases conversion and user experience. Optimizing pages for mobile reduces loading time, improves navigation, and captures traffic from mobile searches.

How do I secure payments on my e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Securing payments requires TLS, tokenization, and compliance with PSD2 standards. Using trusted providers and displaying Secure Payment badges is essential to reassure buyers.

What tools should be used to recover an abandoned cart on an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Email automation and push notifications are effective ways to relaunch an e-commerce site. These tools allow for 24/72 hour scenarios and customization based on cart contents.

What are the advantages of an interactive catalog for an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

An interactive catalog facilitates discovery and increases average basket value. Filters, comparison tools, and personalized recommendations improve conversion on an e-commerce site.

Is SEO useful for a small e-commerce site? e-commerce site

SEO remains crucial even for a small e-commerce site: it generates qualified and sustainable organic traffic. An SEO investment produces long-term visibility gains.

How to offer express delivery on an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Offering Express Delivery requires logistics integration and reliable partners. Statuses must be synchronized, labeling automated, and delivery times clearly displayed on each product page of the e-commerce site.

How to build customer loyalty on an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Loyalty is achieved through a ConnectedLoyalty program and personalized communications. Offering benefits and rewards increases the frequency of purchases on an e-commerce site.

Is instant support essential for an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Instant Support reduces abandonment and improves satisfaction. A chatbot combined with a chat ensures a quick response on an e-commerce site and allows for escalation to an advisor if necessary.

How to integrate customer reviews into an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Customer reviews are integrated via widgets and structured microdata. They increase trust and are an important decision-making factor for buyers on an e-commerce site.

Why outsource the technical creation of an e-commerce site? e-commerce site

Outsourcing provides access to technical expertise and faster production launch. An agency like DualMedia offers support to secure, optimize, and scale your e-commerce site.

Our team of development and design experts is ready to transformer your ideas into reality. Contact us today for a quick and accurate estimate.