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Ecommerce Essentials
Taylor Tunnison • January 28, 2021

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding ecommerce these days. It’s a topic which has become increasingly prevalent over the years, especially after 2020, and many businesses seem to be jumping on the bandwagon. So, what’s the big deal with ecommerce? How do businesses take advantage of this trend and which strategies can best help them achieve success? We’ve chosen to highlight a few ecommerce essentials to help answer these questions. 

1. Security

Online security is absolutely necessary for companies to survive and thrive in this space. Cybercriminals often target online stores because they can easily identify and take advantage of potentially insufficient security protocols. In fact, ecommerce businesses experienced nearly one-third of all successful cyber-attacks in 2018. Therefore, successful ecommerce platforms will prioritize the protection their users’ data privacy at all costs. 


It is the responsibility of the ecommerce platform to protect the personal and financial information of all clients. Quality privacy protection involves preventing any act that will lead to the sharing of customers’ data with unauthorized third parties. Aside from the online retailer that a consumer has chosen, nobody should be able to access their personal information and account details. A security breach occurs when sellers allow others, such as potentially malicious actors, to have access to private user data. Any online business should put in place, at minimum, anti-virus measures, strict firewalls, and payment encryption.

2. Functionality

What’s the point of having an online store if it doesn’t work properly? Broken links, slow loading times, and clunky interfaces can frustrate even the most patient shoppers, discouraging them from purchasing products. An outdated or poorly maintained online shop is not only annoying, it’s downright unprofessional. You wouldn’t buy from a supermarket without lights, carts, shelves, or price tags, would you? The same holds true with digital marketplaces- they should be functional, in every sense of the word. The best ecommerce websites and mobile apps are lightning-fast, user-friendly, and unambiguous, regardless of the device from which they are accessed.

3. Branding

Like any other website, ecommerce pages serve as prime digital real estate for displaying company logos, slogans, colors, and messaging. This may seem like a no-brainer, but branding opportunities should never be dismissed nor overlooked. Consistency is key when it comes to marketing, and websites are no exception.

4. Product Reviews

Including reviews on your ecommerce website provides value to customers and helps establish strong relationships, which, in turn, encourages them to buy products. Nearly 70% of customers browse online ratings before making any kind of purchase, and consumers are much more likely to buy if a website exhibits product reviews. Online reviews display the social proof shoppers seek, and they can help your ecommerce store maintain long-term trust and credibility with customers. In addition, new reviews will constantly refresh your website’s content and improve search engine optimization (SEO) . 


Make it simple for customers to leave product reviews on your site- you can even offer incentives like coupons, discounts, and sneak previews to promote engagement.

5. FAQ

If potential consumers have a question, a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page will assist them in finding the answer immediately, making this an essential component of any ecommerce website. When first creating your FAQ page, brainstorm possible issues users may have, think about questions which are often asked, and consider whether there’s anything you want to explain in more detail. A well-developed and accessible FAQ section will improve the end-user’s experience on your website by making it more valuable, convenient, and informative.  


Ecommerce doesn’t have to be confusing. In fact, once you get the hang of it, these platforms can provide amazing opportunities to boost growth as well as customer satisfaction. At True North Technologies , we understand the value of ecommerce, and we would love the chance to discuss this subject or answer any questions you may have.

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