Web Store Review Criteria

Each web store that we review is checked to see how it performs in the key areas of construction, selling, order processing and support.

Construction

How easily and quickly can customers find what they are looking for and place an order? We rate web store highly that:

• Load quickly
• Are easy to navigate through
• Have an attractive, professional appearance
• Have a simple construction – a customer should be able to place an order within 3 mouse “clicks” of entering the site
• Provide a text only version
• Provide a no frames version (if applicable)
• Make extensive use of “Alt” text for images
• Are fully searchable

Selling

Many sites fail because they forget to sell. We rate web stores highly where:

• It is clear what is being sold
• The benefits of the product are emphasized
• An explicit request for an order is made
• The vendor attempts to establish credibility
• A degree of personalization is offered
• Traditional selling techniques are utilized (e.g. coupons, promotions, competitions, cross selling)

Order Processing

How easy is it for a customer to place an order and pay? We rate web stores highly that:

• Maximize the number of ways to place an order
• Maximize the number of ways to pay
• Provide secure, on-line credit card processing
• Recognize the global nature of the Internet (e.g. offers currency conversions, world-wide shipping info)
• Acknowledge orders with an unique reference number
• Provide online order tracking
• Send a notification when goods are shipped

Support

How good is pre-sales and post-sales support? We rate web stores highly that:

• Provide a “first time visitor” section
• Carry full product information
• Make it easy to request and receive further product information
• Are responsive to e-mail requests
• Offer support through e-mail, fax and telephone

Related Posts:

• Shopping Cart Review Criteria - TweetEvery shopping cart we review is checked for performance in key areas of set up, order processing and administration. Set Up How easily can a...
• eToys.com – www.etoys.com – Web Store Review - TweetOverall Launched towards the end of 1997, the eToys store has quickly risen to become one of the best-loved stores on the Web, having recently...
• ShopIrish.com – www.shopirish.com – Web Store Review - TweetBy Paul Lang, Editor, Sell It! June 13th, 1998 Overall Creative Irish Gifts came into existence over ten years ago for a special purpose: to...
• CDNow – www.cdnow.com – Web Store Review - TweetBy Paul Lang, Editor, Sell It! April 1998 Overall CDs are one of the most commonly sold items on the Web and it is difficult...
• Egghead.com – www.egghead.com – Web Store Review - TweetBy Paul Lang, Editor, Sell It! July 18th, 1998 Overall Last February Egghead hit the headlines with the news that they were going to close...

Tagged as: product review, web store