Successful brands take their websites very seriously. Do you?

Before you spend money and time on social media marketing, paid advertising, and influencer marketing to get customers, start by optimizing online footprint.

Oftentimes, the difference between an online store that hits $1 million in sales and one that struggles to hit $100K is the website.

Here are some of our favorite examples from brands who have done it well.

But before we get into it, Influicity offers full-service e-commerce strategy and execution to help you drive sales. Schedule a strategy session with the team at Influicity.

Okay, lets do it.

Before running YouTube ads, Indestructible Shoes revamped their online store. By the time their ads went live, the brand recorded a remarkable $1.16 million in sales at a 2.24x return on ad spend.

Let’s cover the seven proven tips to optimize your e-commerce website’s design, with examples from successful companies to illustrate each point. 

1. Prioritize a Clean and Intuitive Navigation

A cluttered website confuses visitors and drives them away. Clear, intuitive navigation ensures shoppers can quickly find what they need, reducing frustration and increasing conversions. 

According to HubSpot, 38% of users will leave a website if it’s difficult to navigate.

A great example of intuitive navigation is Taylor Stitch, a growing menswear brand known for its user-friendly website. 

Their top navigation bar is minimal, featuring only key categories like “Shirts & Sweaters,” “Bottoms,” “Outerwear,” and “Accessories,” rather than overwhelming users with dozens of links. They also use sticky navigation, so customers can always access the menu as they scroll.

How to improve navigation for better conversions:

• Use a simple, top-level menu. Stick to 5-7 main categories.
• Include a prominent search bar: It helps customers find products faster.
• Use breadcrumb navigation: It allows users to backtrack easily.
• Ensure mobile-friendly navigation: Make sure buttons and menus are easy to tap.

Taylor Stitch has mastered the art of engaging customers by making the journey to checkout as smooth as possible—a strategy every online store should adopt.

Are you investing more than $10,000/month on marketing? Influicity offers full-service e-commerce strategy and execution to help you drive sales. Schedule a strategy session with the team at Influicity.

2. Use High-Quality Product Images and Videos

Visuals are everything in e-commerce. 90% of online buyers say that product image quality directly influences their purchase decision.

Well-lit, detailed images and engaging videos help customers visualize the product, reducing hesitation and increasing conversions.

Take Glamnetic, a beauty brand specializing in magnetic lashes. They showcase their products with high-resolution images from multiple angles, zoom functionality, and even short, engaging videos demonstrating how the lashes work. 

Their website features before-and-after images and user-generated content to boost trust and engagement.

How to upgrade product visuals:

• Use high-resolution images: Show multiple angles and zoom-in options.
• Incorporate lifestyle images: Help customers picture the product in real life.
• Add product demo videos: Answer common questions visually.
• Use 360° images if possible: Creates an interactive shopping experience.

Glamnetic makes online shopping feel more personal and engaging, leading to higher conversions and fewer returns.

3. Create Urgency with Limited-Time Offers

Scarcity and urgency are powerful psychological triggers that drive immediate action. When customers feel they might miss out on a great deal, they’re more likely to complete their purchase. 

Limited-time discounts, flash sales, and low-stock notifications create this sense of urgency.

BlendJet, a portable blender brand, runs 24-hour flash sales on social media, often paired with influencer promotions. These sales create FOMO (fear of missing out), encouraging buyers to act fast.

Here’s another example. Caraway, a premium cookware brand, uses “Only X left in stock” messages on product pages to increase conversions.

Want to take your marketing to the next level? Schedule a strategy session with the Influicity team today.

How to implement limited-time offers:

• Flash Sales: Run short 24–48 hour discounts with countdown timers.
• Early-Bird Pricing: Reward early buyers with exclusive pricing.
• Exit-Intent Offers: Show a time-sensitive discount when a visitor tries to leave.
• Cart Abandonment Reminders: Use emails and SMS to remind customers of limited-time deals.

According to ConversionXL, urgency-based strategies can increase conversions by up to 332%. When used correctly, they encourage impulse buying while reinforcing the value of your products.

Ready to take your e-commerce website to the next level? There’s a reason e-commerce and online entrepreneurs come to us. Schedule a Strategy Session with the team at Influicity.

4. Streamline the Checkout Process

A complicated checkout process is one of the biggest reasons for cart abandonment—18% of customers abandon their cart because the process is too long or complex. 

To maximize conversions, your checkout needs to be fast, simple, and distraction-free.

One brand excelling in this area is Allbirds, the eco-friendly footwear company. They use a one-page checkout with minimal form fields, clear pricing, and multiple payment options like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This approach significantly reduces friction and improves the customer experience.

To improve your checkout:

• Enable guest checkout: 34% of shoppers abandon purchases when forced to create an account.
• Reduce form fields: Ask only for essential details like shipping and payment info.
• Offer multiple payment methods: Including digital wallets and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options like Klarna or Afterpay.
• Display progress indicators: Show customers how many steps remain to keep them engaged.

A streamlined checkout process means fewer abandoned carts and higher conversions—a direct boost to your bottom line.

Need a hand with your marketing? Schedule a strategy session with the Influicity team today.

5. Leverage Social Proof & User-Generated Content (UGC)

Shoppers trust real customer experiences over marketing claims—93% of consumers say online reviews impact their buying decisions. 

Smart brands leverage social proof and user-generated content (UGC) to build credibility and drive sales.

A strong example is Beardbrand, a men’s grooming company. They use customer photos, testimonials, and video reviews to show real users enjoying their products. This approach not only boosts trust but also fosters a community around their brand.

How to implement social proof effectively:

• Showcase customer reviews and ratings. Include detailed feedback and star ratings on product pages.
• Feature real customer photos/videos. Encourage buyers to share their experience on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.
• Display real-time purchase notifications. Tools like Fomo or Proof highlight recent sales, adding urgency.
• Highlight influencer or expert endorsements. Partner with micro-influencers for authentic recommendations.

At the end of the day, boosting sales with UGC and social proof is authenticity. It’s a great way to build trust, enhance credibility, and increase conversions without relying on aggressive sales tactics.

Are you planning to increase your sales this year? Schedule a strategy session with the Influicity team today.

6. Optimize for Mobile Shopping

Mobile e-commerce sales surpassed $2 trillion in 2023, and now more than 60% of e-commerce sales now come from mobile devices. 

If your online store isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re losing potential customers. A seamless mobile experience ensures users can browse, add items to their cart, and check out effortlessly.

A great example is Jungalow, a home decor brand that thrives on mobile shopping. Their website is designed with large, easy-to-click buttons, minimal pop-ups, and fast-loading pages. 

The product images are high-quality and optimized for mobile screens, making it simple for users to shop on the go.

How to optimize your store for mobile:

• Use a responsive design: Your website should automatically adjust to different screen sizes.
• Speed up page load time: Google recommends loading in under 3 seconds to reduce bounce rates.
• Implement thumb-friendly navigation: Ensure menus, CTAs, and checkout buttons are easy to tap.
• Simplify forms: Autofill and mobile-friendly keyboards make entering shipping and payment info easier.

Mobile optimization directly impacts Google rankings and conversions. Faster, smoother mobile sites lead to higher engagement and more sales.

7. Offer Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Options

Many customers abandon their carts due to price hesitation, especially for higher-ticket items. 

BNPL services like Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm solve this by letting customers split payments into interest-free installments, making purchases more affordable.

Here’s a great example. Oodie, a loungewear brand, saw a significant increase in sales after integrating BNPL. Customers were more willing to buy because they could pay over time instead of upfront.

How to implement BNPL for higher sales:

• Highlight BNPL on product pages: Show a “Pay in 4 Installments” massage near pricing.
• Use BNPL providers: Partner with Affirm, Afterpay, or Klarna to offer flexible payment plans.
• Promote on social media: Announce BNPL options in ads and email campaigns to attract hesitant buyers.

A study by PYMNTS found that 48% of BNPL users wouldn’t have made a purchase without the option. If your store sells products over $50, BNPL can remove pricing objections and boost conversions significantly.

Takeaway

E-commerce website design is more than just aesthetics—it directly influences sales. 

If you’re just starting, begin with mobile optimization and social proof, as these have the fastest impact on conversion rates. 

Next, refine your checkout process and navigation to reduce friction and cart abandonment.

Once your store is running smoothly, scale with advanced features like A/B testing, personalized recommendations, and optimized product pages. The key is continuous improvement—monitor what’s working, test new ideas, and adapt.

If you’re looking for professional guidance, Influicity provides end-to-end e-commerce marketing strategy and execution to help brands increase sales. Schedule a strategy session with the Influicity team today.