How can I improve my newly opened online store?

Topic summary

New store raylights.co.uk seeks feedback; initial critique says the UI/UX is poor and recommends hiring a designer with conversion rate optimization expertise.

Clarification provided: UI = User Interface, UX = User Experience. Overall design is considered weak; improvements depend on budget.

Actionable suggestions:

  • Navigation: Consolidate products under “Our Products/Collections”; add quick access for Best Sellers/New Arrivals.
  • Typography: Switch to a more readable, professional font.
  • Homepage: Replace blurry hero image; make “Shop our latest arrivals” a banner with a clear CTA; consider a banner slider with Best Sellers; add reviews/testimonials; clarify section names.
  • Footer: Add copyright, shipping policy, “Secured and trusted checkout,” sitemap; ensure social links open in a new tab.
  • Contact/FAQ: Remove duplicated FAQ from Contact page; create a dedicated FAQ; add a contact form.
  • Search: Default search results page is empty; consider advanced search/filters (e.g., synonyms, spell correction) via an app.
  • Product pages: Remove or clearly name confusing sections; improve visuals.
  • Support: Consider live chat plus a multi-channel ticketing/help center system.

Images/examples were provided to illustrate homepage, footer, and product page improvements. No decisions reported; discussion remains open.

Summarized with AI on January 1. AI used: gpt-5.

Hi @Paige3man ,

Thanks for reaching out to the community. This is MooseDesk - All-in-one Shopify Ticketing System App.

Congratulations on the opening of your store! It’s truly impressive, and I can see the dedication you’ve poured into its creation. While it’s already great, I do have some suggestions to help make it even better. Here are a few of my recommendations for better customer experience, if you don’t mind taking a look.

1. Navigation Menu

Consider consolidating all your products into a single section in the navigation menu, which could be named ‘Our Products’ or ‘Collections.’ Additionally, introduce a dedicated navigation option for users to easily explore your best sellers or the latest arrivals. This approach enhances user navigation, providing a more streamlined and simplified shopping experience on your website.

2. Font Readability

The current font used on your website appears relatively hard to read and can give an unprofessional impression. Consider selecting a font that enhances readability and complements the overall aesthetic of your site.

3. Homepage

3.1. Hero Banner

The quality of the hero banner image is noticeably blurry, impacting the overall professionalism of the site. Consider updating the image to a higher resolution to create a more visually appealing first impression for users.

3.2. Banner Slider

Consider transforming the ‘Shop our latest arrivals’ section into a banner with a clear call-to-action button, such as the ‘Shop now’ button, enabling users to navigate to a new page showcasing all your newest products. Additionally, think about grouping this banner with your ‘Best Sellers’ banner within a banner slider. This approach optimizes both homepage space and user experience.

3.3. Reviews/Testimonials Section

Integrate a dedicated reviews/testimonials section to boost the credibility of your store. Positive feedback from previous customers can instill trust and confidence in potential buyers.

Here is an example you can follow:

3.4. Section Naming for Clarity

Name sections strategically to convey their purpose. For instance, rename this section “Why you should buy [your product] from our store?” to highlight your unique selling points, fostering trust and encouraging purchases.

4. Footer Reconstruction

Revamp the footer to include essential elements, such as a copyright note to protect your content and a detailed shipping policy. This not only ensures legality but also informs users about your shipping procedures, promoting transparency and trust. For further guidance on what should be included in the footer, you can refer to this article.

Here is an example for you:

5. Contact Us page

Consider removing the FAQ section from the Contact Us page, as the content is already available on other pages. Streamlining this section will simplify the user experience. If feasible, you can create a dedicated FAQ page for better organization.

6. Product Page

Assess and possibly eliminate sections on the product page that may confuse users. If you intend to retain this section, kindly provide a clear name and enhance its visual appeal.

7. Customer Support

While live chat undoubtedly adds value, adopting a more comprehensive customer support strategy can have a substantial impact. I propose integrating a ticketing system that seamlessly incorporates multiple communication channels. This approach ensures customers can contact you through their preferred means, be it email, chat, or other platforms.

To achieve this, I recommend exploring MooseDesk, a free application that combines support, a help center, and a ticketing system. MooseDesk offers features such as auto-reply during non-business hours, a proactive help center, and a user-friendly widget layout, providing an efficient solution to elevate customer support on your platform.

As an expert/enthusiast in UX, I recommend implementing these changes to improve customer experience when scrolling through your store.

If this is helpful for you, please let me know by giving me a ‘LIKE’. If your question is answered, please mark this as 'SOLUTION’.

Thank you,

MooseDesk - All-in-one Shopify Ticketing System App

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