Running an online store isn’t just about having products listed and a checkout button. It’s about how you turn casual browsers into paying customers. If you’re looking to increase your stores conversion rates for your online store, this guide is packed with 5 straightforward, actionable strategies that’ll help increase your conversion rate and that you can implement right away.
Let’s get right to it..
Table Of Contents
Step 1. Improve Your Website Speed
Nobody likes waiting around for a slow website to load. A slow loading page isn’t just frustrating it literally drives your customers away.
A study by Google found that as page load time increases from 1 second to 3 seconds, the probability of a user bouncing increases by 32%. Source Here
That’s 32% of potential revenue lost. Go to GTmetrix to test the loading speed of your websites and aim for nothing less than a Grade A rated website.
The Impact of Slow Load Times
When your site takes more than a handful of seconds to load, not only do your bounce rates skyrocket. But it actually indicates that your store might not be that reliable.
Every second counts and that slow loading page speed could lose you a lifetime customer. You need to invest in the right tools to improve this.
Even a slight improvement in load time can lead to higher conversion rates.
Is Your Web Hosting Affecting Load Times?
Web Hosting plays a crucial role in your website loading speed.
If your website is loading slow, the first thing you want to check is what type of web hosting plan you are using.
9 times out of 10 if you are using a shared hosting plan it’s usually where your slow loading speed comes from.
Shared hosting is basically when your website is sharing resources with other websites located on the same server as you (unknown to you).
Check with your hosting provider to determine if you are using a shared hosting plan. Extremely cheap hosting fees usually indicate you are on a shared hosting plan.
If that’s the case it’s time for an upgrade. Shared hosting leads to slow performance, security issues and also plays a vital role in your conversion rate.
Don’t Cheap Out On Hosting.
An easy solution is switching to a managed hosting service like Cloudways. They even include migration from your old server as part of their service.
For more details, check out my Cloudways review to see if it’s the right investment for you.
If you’re serious about your e-commerce business, prioritizing a web host with fast load times and reliable uptime is essential. It can literally make or break your business.
Quick Tips for Optimizing Load Times
If switching your web host is not an option. Here are a couple of quick tips to optimize loading times that can be implemented right away.
To speed up your site, start by compressing your images using plugins like Smush, ShortPixel, or Imagify. You’ll be able to keep the quality of your images while reducing the file size.
You can also use caching tools like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache to cut down server lag.
For cleaning up unnecessary scripts, try Asset CleanUp or Perfmatters to disable anything slowing down your site. These simple tweaks can make a huge difference for your visitors and help improve that all-important conversion rate.
Step 2: Use a Clean & Polished Website Design
Now it’s OK to go DIY to save money, there are many web tutorials out there to help you develop your own online store. For instance my How to make a wordpress online store tutorial (it’s a long video).
As long as your eCommerce store looks professional you won’t have any issues. But, don’t be too frugal when it comes to choosing your website’s theme.
75% of consumers judge a company’s credibility based on its website design (Source: Stanford Web Credibility Research).
First impressions matter, and it will come from your store’s design. Focus on the small details and make sure the quality of your site is done at a professional level.
The great thing is you can achieve this without hiring a pro. There are so many premium themes out there such as Divi, pre-loaded with 300+ templates and Salient one of my go-to designs on Themeforest.
My advice would be to look into a premium design that saves you most of the grunt work and makes your website look like a serious brand so your customers take you seriously!
Key Elements to a Professional Design
A great design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about usability and clarity.
Stick to consistent branding, easy navigation, and a responsive layout that fits any screen perfectly.
Clean fonts, clear buttons, and organized menus will keep users happy.
Examples of Successful Designs
Some brands thrive simply because their website speaks “trustworthy” from the get-go.
I’ve ran several eCommerce stores and every time I set one up I go with a premium design.
It literally saves you thousands of hours and allows you to focus on more important things. Like getting orders..
Here are two of my favorite ecommerce examples that I use for inspiration and you should too.
Example #1: Nomad Goods
You can visit their website here.
Example #2 – Harrys.com
You can visit their website here.
Step 3. Add Key Trust-Building Elements
Customers won’t buy from you if they don’t trust you. Trust-building features can dramatically boost conversions.
But let’s be honest—it’s hard to build trust through a web page. With so many scams out there, how do you cut through the noise?
Here’s how you can help customers overcome trust issues.
Add Essential Trust Factors
First off add SSL certificates, trust badges, customer reviews, and secure payment provider logos throughout your site.
These simple additions assure new users: “It’s safe to shop here.” it may sound silly but it works very well. Small details matter.
SSL Certificate
It’s become default to have “https” in your url now or the users browser will give them an error message.
You can install an SSL certificate for free on any website if you are hosting with Cloudways. For other providers you’ll have to check with your web host but it is a necessity!
Trust Badges
This is such a small detail but works magic. If any company is associated with your business use it as a badge.
If you have any reviews, credentials or anything you can use as a badge show it on your store.
Get creative the more trust badges the better you can even go ahead and use PayPal or stripe badges depending on your transaction provider.
Encouraging Transparency
Include your business’s contact details, like a phone number or physical address, let shoppers know you’re real.
Offering live chat is also an excellent way to boost trust while answering customer questions in real-time.
If you can include a number that can be texted, no one wants to answer customer texts but this is an important detail and will drastically improve things.
My guess is your business is new so you are going to have to go that extra mile that the big companies don’t need to do.
Create A Short Company Intro Video
This is a very effective way to show that you are real and put a face to your brand.
Do a short introduction video of your company or do some reviews of products you sell and their features.
Doesn’t have to be production studio quality an iPhone and a microphone with video edits goes a long way and trust me it will help with conversion rates.
People love supporting local businesses if you can provide them with value.
If you’re camera shy, there are plenty of video and AI services that can create videos for you. However, nothing beats doing it yourself.
I encourage you to give it a try. Don’t worry too much about video quality, just test it out. You’d be surprised at how much it helps!
Step 4. Enhance Your Product Pages with Key Elements
You might be thinking I’ve already done this, but have you really?
Go back to your product page and ask yourself would you purchase from this website based on what you are seeing.
It’s a tough pill to swallow but it allows you to understand where your pain points are and address them.
Your product pages are literally where users will make a purchase decision. If you’ve snapped a couple of images and threw up a short description and left it as is.
I’m guessing the conversion rate is sitting at 0%..
Treat each product page as if it was a landing page designed to close the sale. It’s going to be a lot more work but it will pay off in the long run. Below you can find some actionable ways to help improve them.
Highlight Value Proposition
Tell your customers exactly why your product is their best option. Whether it’s free shipping, eco-friendly materials, or lifetime warranties, highlight what makes your offer irresistible.
Write clear, benefit-focused product descriptions use tools like Rightblogger.com or Chat GPT.
It’s that simple, there’s no excuse now with AI accessible tools now. Get them to write it for you.
High Quality Visuals & Layout
Don’t overlook high-quality photos. They grab attention and eliminate indecision.
Make sure the images pop and the layout doesn’t overwhelm users with clutter.
If you are able to hire a professional, I know it’s an expense but it will go a long way.
- Make sure all images are resized correctly, every product photo should be the exact same size.
- Use a white or solid color background for product photos unless they are lifestyle images.
- DO NOT USE BLURRY OR LOW QUALITY IMAGES. If you don’t have high quality images pay to get digital versions made. It won’t work without high quality images. Nothing will set you back more than low quality images.
There are now many AI services that will generate product images for you here are a couple of these services.
They are inexpensive and do keep in mind I’ve never used these two services and I’m not affiliated with them.
Add Additional Trust Signals Other Than Badges
Trust signals like refund policies, FAQs, or warranties can make a huge difference in how comfortable your customers feel.
People want to know they’re making a safe choice when buying from you. Highlighting a solid refund policy or offering a clear warranty shows you stand behind your products.
Adding an FAQ section can also address common concerns upfront, saving both you and your customers time while building confidence in your store.
Small details like these go a long way in earning trust.
Step 5. Lead Magnets, Urgency & Scarcity
I covered landing page elements, but if you wanted a deeper read into key elements of a successful landing page read my 9 practical tips to increase landing page conversions.
Psychological triggers like urgency & scarcity can also help prompt quicker decisions and then giving something away for free with no strings attached can gain build trust like you’ve never seen.
It’s hard to give away something for free as you make zero dollars, but you have to get creative and competitive. When there are no strings attached and you add value, people will throw cash at you.
Lead Magnets to Nurture Leads & Boost Conversions
Give something away for free whether its discounts, free resources, or exclusive content, this will help encourages visitors to provide you their contact information.
Which then allows your business to build an email list for years to come, think of it as building an asset. A lot of business owners skip this part because there is no instant reward but it’s where most go wrong.
The goal is to nurture leads, and drive sales through targeted campaigns. Maybe a guide, a free sample, or trial. It builds trust and gets attention.
People feel more confident buying once they’ve tested or gained value upfront, depending on your business you will have to be creative about what you can offer.
Studies show that 50% of businesses report higher conversion rates on their email sign-up forms when using a lead magnet.
So start using one.
Using Scarcity to Drive Sales
Create urgency by offering limited-time deals or low-stock alerts. These tactics motivate quick action and instill FOMO.
No one wants to miss out on something valuable. Whether it’s a flash sale ending in a few hours or a product running low on inventory, people feel compelled to act before the opportunity slips away.
Black Friday is a good example of this as most shoppers know that this is the time to buy the most popular products.
This taps into the fear of missing out, driving decisions faster. It’s an old school technique but it is still very effective today.
Try implementing a scarcity sale on your store, but avoid doing it too often and see how it improves things.
FAQs About Trust and Conversion in eCommerce
How does website load time impact user trust?
Slow websites ruin user experience. People assume your business might be unreliable if your pages are slow or are simply frustrated navigating your website.
What are trust badges, and how do they influence conversions?
They show third-party verification, like “secure checkout” or “money-back guarantee,” which makes shoppers feel more secure.
What is the role of SSL certificates in building trust?
SSL encrypts user data, ensuring privacy for transactions. Seeing “https” in the address bar helps build trust and maximizes conversions.
How should I organize my product pages for better engagement?
Keep it simple. Use crisp visuals, short bullet points, and clear purchase steps.
Are there tools to help me create high-converting landing pages?
Yes. Tools like Elementor or Divi make creating functional, good-looking pages easy with their custom page builders. I’ve reviewed both of them:
Why is a better web host essential for a successful eCommerce store?
A reliable host reduces downtime and boosts site speed, both crucial for keeping customers around. Site speed plays one of the most important roles for improving your conversion rate, so it should not be overlooked.
What are some beginner-friendly design tips for new store owners?
Start with simple navigation, clean layouts, and mobile-first designs. You don’t need perfection just clarity. There are an abundance of templates available that will eliminate most of the work!
How can I encourage customers to leave reviews on my store?
Offer small incentives like discounts or thank-you emails after their purchases. Get your family & friends to leave reviews and ask them to be unbiased!
Conclusion
One thing I’ll mention is that it’s actually much simpler than you might think to increase your conversion rate. Follow these 5 actionable steps above, and you’ll be setting yourself up for success.
However, remember that these steps are useless without traffic, so make sure you’re generating enough visitors through organic traffic or paid advertising.
I’d recommend focusing on building an email list first, rather than pushing for sales. If you’re a new store, your first priority should be building trust before selling products.
Good luck!
