Ecommerce is a booming industry that has been further ignited by the recent pandemic. More and more businesses are moving online, making the role of an ecommerce web developer vital in this new norm. An ecommerce web designer creates the online storefront where transactions occur between companies and consumers.
Being an ecommerce web developer is not as simple as knowing how to design or code a site. It requires an eclectic mix of essential skills that would ensure the success of the online business. Here are some of those skills.
1. Graphic Design
A visually appealing site is a starting point for attracting and retaining customers. It has to look professional, trustworthy and relevant to your brand. This requires a good understanding of color theory, typography, layout, and user-interface design. Designers should be proficient in using design software and tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Sketch.
2. HTML/CSS
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are the building blocks of any website design. HTML is used for creating and organizing the website content while CSS is used for styling this content. While there are design tools that offer to code free design, it’s critical for an ecommerce web designer to know how to manually code and troubleshoot.
3. JavaScript
As an ecommerce web developer, you should be proficient in JavaScript. It’s the backbone of interactive elements in a website. It enables the designer to create a site where users can interact with different elements, enhancing the overall user experience.
4. SEO Understanding
While not directly a design skill, understanding SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is crucial for any ecommerce web developer. If the website is not optimized for search engines, it won’t reach its potential audience. A designer should know how to structure a site that can easily be crawled by search engines, uses the right keywords and provides an optimal user experience.
5. Responsive Design
Google ranks responsive websites higher than non-responsive ones. Customers now use a multitude of devices with different screen sizes, from smartphones to tablets, laptops and desktops. The design of the ecommerce store has to adapt to these different screen resolutions and look great on all devices. This is responsive designing.
6. User Experience (UX) Design
A good ecommerce web developer knows the importance of user experience. Focusing on how the user will navigate through the site, with emphasis on simplicity and ease. This will involve understanding of user journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and feedback gathering.
7. Understanding of Ecommerce Business
This is a business-related rather than a technical skill. A successful ecommerce web designer understands the common ecommerce business models and strategies. This includes understanding the purchasing funnel, creating effective product pages, knowing how to optimize for conversions, and being aware of common ecommerce trends and pitfalls.
8. Project Management
Working on ecommerce platform design usually involves coordinating with multiple teams or stakeholders – from coding experts to marketing teams. Therefore, having project management skills to manage these stakeholders, meet deadlines, and deliver a project on time can be invaluable in a ecommerce web developer role.
9. Cybersecurity Awareness
Online businesses are at a constant risk of cyber threats. As an ecommerce web developer, you should be aware of web security protocols and take precautionary measures when designing a site by incorporating secure payment gateways, SSL certifications and more.
10. Testing and Troubleshooting
Finally, the effectiveness of the ecommerce store design will be gauged by its performance. An ecommerce web developer should be equipped with skills to test the functionality of every element of the site, troubleshoot problems, and make the necessary changes.
The eCommerce industry is dynamic and being successful in this field demands constant learning. Keeping up to date with the latest trends and innovations in ecommerce design is crucial. But with the right set of skills, an ecommerce web developer can make a significant impact on the success of an online business. Whether you’re an upcoming designer or a seasoned professional, these are the key skill sets that can set you apart in the fast-growing ecommerce space.