eCommerce Store Layout: Writing & Examples

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An intelligently structured online store layout is crucial for ecommerce success. Well-planned architecture focused on human behavior results in effortless navigation pathways guiding customers to checkout.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover optimal website layout templates leveraging the latest research around maximizing on-site conversions including:

Benefits of Optimized Store Layouts

Let’s examine why advanced layout testing fuels sales growth:

Increase Conversion Rates - Data shows optimized navigational flows lift key site metrics like add-to-carts, average order values and revenue significantly through superior experiences.

Lower Bounce Rates - When visitors instantly find desired products meeting needs, they stick around to make purchases versus exiting prematurely when unable to browse efficiently.

Boost Brand Loyalty - Enjoyable, frictionless shopping journeys make customers fans for life. This drives invaluable repeat business and referrals organically at minimal acquisition costs.

Now that the immense value of crafting conversion-focused online store layouts is clear, let's break down tactical templates guaranteed to maximize on-site performance based on hard data science.

Essential Elements for High Converting Online Store Layouts

Below are structural ingredients integral for architecting ecommerce websites delivering world-class results:

1. Top Navigation Menu

Clear site-wide menus for browsing core product categories and account options must be prominently visible on all pages allowing instant location jumping. Top navigation gives customers control immediately guiding their own journeys.

2. Hero Offer Zone

Spotlight promotional areas incentivizing purchases like time-limited sales or seasonal deals front-and-center alongside navigational elements driving urgency around taking advantage of temporary value.

3. Logical Breadcrumb Pathways

Display hierarchical breadcrumb trails below page titles illustrating current positions within overall information architecture. This assists re-tracing previous steps if wanting to return somewhere.

4. Primary Content Showcase

Dedicate central real estate like 60-70% of screen space towards prominently featuring the main attractions searched for - ie product images/details, informative articles, helpful tools etc. Prioritize content aligning to visitor intentions.

5. Crystal Clear Calls-To-Action

Insert highly visible action-driven buttons urging desired next steps like “Add To Cart” or “Proceed To Checkout” whenever appropriate. Explicit CTA cues convert abandoned carts much better by reducing confusion around what to do next.

Now let's explore outstanding examples of intelligently designed online store layouts from real ecommerce brands finding immense success.

Expert Ecommerce Layout Examples

Below are excerpts illustrating stellar website structural executions:

MVMT Watches

MVMT maintains persistent visibility of navigational elements while balancing promotional banners dynamically. Clear calls-to-action urge visits into customers seamlessly.

Hausmart

Hausmart allocates majority screen real estate towards showcasing star products while preserving accessible menu options and incentives flanking both sides to propel purchases across page visits.

Food52

Food52 inserts convenient shortcuts to account options underneath consistent site-wide menus allowing toggling between browsing and transactional workflows efficiently as needed.

Shapeely

Rather than traditional textmenus, Shapeely implements graphic icons borrowing from mobile UX patterns. This keeps navigational interfaces clean while occupying valuable banner space for promotional content.

As demonstrated by these stellar best-in-class website layout examples, numerous structural frameworks can drive impressive performance. Now let's consolidate learnings into an universally adaptable high-level template.

Optimal Online Store Layout Template

The diagram below represents an idealized information architecture balancing the essential ecommerce layout elements covered:

Global site-wide top navigation mainstays

Dynamic header offer/incentive zone

Hierarchical breadcrumb pathway links

Dedicated content display area

Clear calls-to-action

This generalized template applying scientifically validated interface patterns serves as an excellent reference model for structuring conversion-focused online store layouts guaranteed to maximize revenues.

Layout Optimization Tips

Additionally, keep these vital expert tips in mind:

Reduce Clutter

While accommodating essential elements, eliminate any unnecessary distractions like sidebar ads or excessive promoting. Decluttering focuses attention only on intended behaviors.

Highlight Bestsellers

Merchandise proven top-earning products in prime locations like home page banners. Allocating premium visibility towards consistent winners pays sustainable dividends.

Personalize Navigation

Adapt site architecture dynamically responding to individual user histories showing favorites while hiding irrelevant content. This increases relevancy 2x for return visitors.

A/B Test Variations

Experiment with iterative layout adjustments while measuring impacts on KPIs scientifically. Champion editions delivering best quantitative results.

An intelligently designed online store layout has tremendous influence guiding visitor behaviors and commercial outcomes. Structuring interfaces aligned to customer intentions using research-backed templates massively multiplies ecommerce success.

Use the examples and expert tips shared above to start optimizing your website's architecture for maximum conversions. Let us know if any other questions around advancing website layout performance!