Wix has emerged as a popular platform for building eCommerce websites thanks to its user-friendly interface and extensive features. However, before you hit the “publish” button on your new Wix online store, it’s crucial to ensure that all aspects of your site are optimized for success.
In this blog post, we’ll cover 10 essential tasks you need to complete before publishing your Wix eCommerce site.
Choose the Right Template
Wix offers a wide range of eCommerce templates that cater to different industries and design preferences. Take the time to explore various options and select the one that best aligns with your brand identity and business goals. Ensure that the template you choose is mobile-responsive, visually appealing, and provides a seamless user experience.
Tailor your site’s design to match your brand
Once you’ve chosen a template, customize it to match your brand’s colors, fonts, and overall style. Consistency in design helps build trust with your customers and strengthens your brand identity. Use high-quality images, add your logo, and consider using custom icons to make your site stand out from the competition.
Organize Your Product Catalog
A well-organized product catalog is crucial for providing a positive shopping experience for your customers. Categorize your products into logical collections or categories, and use descriptive titles and tags to make it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for. Don’t forget to include high-quality images and detailed product descriptions to showcase the features and benefits of your products.
Set Up Payment and Shipping Options
Offering a variety of secure payment options, such as credit cards, PayPal, and other popular payment gateways, will make it easier for customers to complete their purchases. Additionally, set up your shipping options, including flat-rate, weight-based, or location-based shipping methods. Be transparent about shipping costs and delivery times to build trust with your customers.
Implement SEO Best Practices
Before publishing your Wix eCommerce site, ensure that it’s optimized for search engines. This includes crafting unique and keyword-rich title tags and meta descriptions for each page, using descriptive and search-friendly URLs, and adding alt text for images. Also, consider integrating your Wix site with Google Search Console and submitting your sitemap to improve your site’s visibility.
Integrate Social Media and Email Marketing
Integrating social media buttons on your site allows customers to share your products and engage with your brand on various platforms. Additionally, set up email marketing campaigns to keep your customers informed about new products, promotions, and other updates. Wix offers built-in email marketing tools and integrations with popular email service providers like Mailchimp.
Add Trust Elements
Customer reviews play a vital role in building trust and influencing purchase decisions. Add a review feature to your product pages and encourage customers to share their experiences. Additionally, ensure your site uses SSL encryption and displays trust badges, like Verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode, to reassure customers that their payment information is secure.
Test Your Site’s Performance
A slow-loading site can frustrate customers and negatively impact your search engine rankings. Before publishing, test your site’s speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix, and address any issues that may be slowing it down. Additionally, test your site’s functionality across different devices and browsers to ensure a smooth and consistent user experience.
Set Up Analytics and Tracking
Implementing analytics and tracking tools, such as Google Analytics, is crucial for monitoring your site’s performance and understanding user behavior. This will help you identify areas for improvement, measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts, and make data-driven decisions to optimize your site. Wix offers built-in analytics and supports integration with third-party tools.
Create a Launch Plan
Before publishing your Wix eCommerce site, develop a strategic launch plan to create buzz and drive traffic to your store. This may include creating social media posts, sending out email newsletters, and reaching out to influencers or bloggers in your industry. Plan your launch around a specific date or event, and make sure to communicate the launch details to your audience in advance.
Preparing your Wix eCommerce site for launch involves careful attention to detail and a focus on optimizing every aspect of your store. By completing these 10 essential tasks before publishing, you’ll be well on your way to creating a professional, user-friendly, and successful online store. Remember, your work doesn’t end once your site is live – continue to monitor, analyze, and refine your strategies to ensure long-term success in the competitive world of eCommerce.
