Do you need help with why your WordPress business is slow?
Can’t determine if it’s the site, the internet, your product, or whether you chose the wrong WordPress pricing option?
Well, we may have the answers to all your questions. When done right, WordPress eCommerce has all the tools to build you a profitable and successful business. So, let’s get right to it!
Pay Attention to Loading Times
Your online shop's success depends on how quickly your site loads. Remember that the bounce rate is directly proportional to the speed at which the page loads, i.e., the lower the bounce rate, the quicker the website.
Your website’s load time should ideally be less than two seconds. If visitors give up waiting for your page to load, it won’t matter how attractive the content is. In other words, time is of the essence for your sales. Therefore, consider this a crucial part of your eCommerce conversion rate optimization plan.
While you’re at it, also consider the following:
- Switch to a faster host. Your online store should not be hosted on a shared server. Managed WordPress hosting for eCommerce that can grow with your business is essential. By selecting a hosting provider with managed WordPress hosting and considering the features, resources, and WordPress pricing options available, you can ensure that your website is equipped to deliver fast load times, handle increased traffic, and provide an exceptional shopping experience for your customers.
- Change to an efficient theme. In addition, the performance of your page may be affected by the music you select. If you want to boost your shop’s performance, switching to a faster WordPress theme could help.
- Investigate the sluggish pages to determine the cause.
And how do we determine the cause of a slow page? Here’s what you need to check.
- The static resources of your pages are not stored in a cache.
- No minification was applied to the HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files.
- GZIP compression is broken.
- There are excessive HTTP redirects on your site.
- Your image optimization isn’t quite there yet.
- You’ve gone with a cheap web host.
- You’re stuck on a very old version of PHP.
- Your website’s speed is not being monitored frequently enough.
Turn off the Plugins That You’re Not Using
When a user navigates to a page on WordPress, each plugin that is activated loads its own set of instructions; using more plugins increases the amount of code and data that must be loaded and processed and causes delays.
Deactivating a plugin to check if it affects your site’s performance will help you decide if you need it. You can remove the plugin from your WordPress site if doing so won’t break any of the site’s content or features. However, you should probably make a copy first, just in case.
- Log in and find ‘Plugins’ on your WordPress dashboard.
- Click on ‘Installed Plugins.’
- select the one you wish to deactivate and click the corresponding button.
If you change your mind, the plugin can be easily activated again. You can safely remove it from your server if you have no plans to use it.
Improve Accessibility
Visitors can easily get lost and disoriented by a website that could be more organized and easier to navigate. So, would you like to learn how to improve the website user experience? The layout of your online shop should help you with the shopping experience. Poor website design can result in a loss of potential clients.
- Facilitate consumers’ ability to learn more about your brand’s available choices. Please note how well-organized the main menu is at stores like Walmart, allowing customers to find what they require quickly.
- eCommerce platforms can add additional support through filtering and search tools. Organize the featured items on your main menu into relevant categories. Improve the user experience by providing supplementary services selectable by many criteria (price, color, size, and location).
- Including voice search will give your project the extra boost it needs. Between 30 and 50 percent of all queries will be made using voice shortly.
Use Monitoring Software
You can see what is and isn’t working for your eCommerce site by using analytics tools to monitor key performance indicators and metrics. Additionally, you will be able to identify which pages or elements on those pages resulted in a higher conversion rate.
With this information, you can improve underperforming components and boost conversion rates. The optimization of your online store should inform every choice you make.
Site analytics and user behavior can be monitored using third-party programs. Here’s a look at a few key categories of information you’ll need:
- Indicators & critical metrics for your shop
- To determine the primary methods you use to attract visitors.
- To calculate the value of a customer’s repeat business and the average order size.
- Conversion numbers
These should be monitored before and after making changes to your store to determine the effectiveness of the adjustments.
Focus on the Needs of Mobile Users
More and more consumers purchase from mobile devices, making mobile-friendly web design essential. Could you ensure your website is responsive and easy to use on mobile devices to give your customers the best possible experience? You might consider taking the following steps:
- Check for mobile device compatibility by running your content and graphics through a mobile-friendly test tool. Ensure every page is accessible on all devices and that product descriptions are easy to read.
- Choose a simple layout: Reduce the number of distracting elements on your website to make room for calls to action and sections of products.
- Lessen the text volume: Write with as much elegance as possible.
- Photos should be compressed before being uploaded to your website. This is to ensure that your eCommerce site will also look great on mobile devices.
Reduce Time Spent at the Checkout
It is also crucial that you make the most of your checkout procedure. From when a consumer places an order until they reach the checkout page, there should be as little hassle as possible. Attempt to streamline processes and give customers more choices, such as a guest checkout.
You’re leaving money on the table if your online shop doesn’t have a guest checkout feature. If you want to reduce the number of abandoned shopping carts, this facility is a must. No one wants to get to the last page of a purchasing process to find out they must register first.
Conclusion
The measures above are the tip of the iceberg when expanding your WordPress-based online store. You’re undoubtedly aware that your market is highly competitive, as you can tell from the rising WordPress pricing, so if you haven’t started implementing these strategies yet, you should do so quickly.
Gone are the days to adapt, overcome, and improvise. It’s time to strategize and optimize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal loading time for a WordPress eCommerce website?
The ideal load time for a website should be less than two seconds. This helps lower the bounce rate and keeps potential customers engaged with your site.
How can I determine why certain pages on my website are loading slowly?
You can investigate slow-loading pages by checking for issues such as static resources not stored in a cache, no minification applied to HTML, CSS, or JavaScript files, broken GZIP compression, excessive HTTP redirects, poor image optimization, a cheap web host, an outdated version of PHP, or insufficient speed monitoring.
Why should I deactivate unused plugins on my WordPress website?
Unused plugins, when activated, load their own set of instructions which increases the amount of code and data that must be loaded and processed. This can cause delays in page loading times. Deactivating unused plugins can improve the speed and performance of your site.
How can improving accessibility enhance my WordPress eCommerce site?
Improving accessibility such as organizing your main menu like major retailers, facilitating filtering and search tools, categorizing featured items, and including voice search can significantly improve user experience. This results in higher customer retention and potentially increased sales.
Why is monitoring software important for my eCommerce site?
Monitoring software allows you to track key performance indicators and metrics, helping you understand what is and isn't working on your site. With this information, you can improve underperforming elements and increase conversion rates.
How can focusing on mobile users improve my eCommerce business?
With more consumers making purchases from mobile devices, ensuring that your website is responsive and easy to use on mobile devices is crucial. This includes testing for mobile compatibility, simplifying layout, reducing text volume, compressing images, and more.
Why is it important to reduce the time spent at the checkout?
Reducing the time spent at the checkout and offering options like guest checkout can streamline the shopping experience for customers. This helps to reduce the number of abandoned shopping carts, increasing the likelihood of completed sales.
What are the benefits of a well-organized website for my eCommerce business?
A well-organized website facilitates ease of navigation, helping customers quickly find what they're looking for. This not only improves user experience but can also lead to increased sales and customer retention.
Why is optimizing my WordPress site crucial in a highly competitive market?
Optimizing your WordPress site helps it load faster, become more user-friendly, and rank higher in search results. This can set your site apart from competitors, attract more traffic, and increase sales.
How does a faster WordPress theme boost the performance of my eCommerce site?
A faster and more efficient WordPress theme can significantly improve your site's loading times, enhancing user experience and potentially leading to higher conversion rates. It also contributes to better SEO rankings, attracting more visitors to your site.
