Many people turn to templates on the assumption that having a pre-built website will free them up to focus on other aspects of the business. While this is true in some ways, it fails in others.
You have to consider what you really need on the website, and then carefully sift through the templates to find it.
These are the main three
1. Easily Customizable Interactive Images are a Must Have
Sixty-five percent of shoppers say interactive content and a stylish image influence their purchases from fashion websites according to Screenpages. Before you settle on a template design, you need to make sure that it can handle a high volume of image-intensive pages. At the very least you should be able to have slideshows of bestselling books and the latest trends, and fast loading times. You may want to make sacrifices in other areas so that your website’s custom content images display correctly.
Be aware that heavy graphics will slow down your page load time if you don’t have a web template with an application booster for this. This is one of the key fields that is common across all websites. No matter what your website is for, people will flock to it if there is a delay of more than a second in page loading. Make sure your bandwidth can handle the visual feast you want to present to your customers.
2. Are the Default Graphics Interfering?
Websites with beautiful background images or the flair of banners are especially attractive to template users who can’t make such a thing themselves. This is what most templates are for — helping those without web design skills to build an attractive eCommerce site. However, many first time template buyers choose templates that provide form over function. For a fashion website, a stylish design shouldn’t distract from the merchandise. In addition, it must match the tone. A site may look elegant and beautiful, but if you sell athletic gear, you should choose a template that is more rugged and straightforward. Apply the same sense of style that you would apply to clothing to your website; the individual parts may be flawless, but do they work together to form a delightful whole?
3. Does It Have Mobile Viewing Option?
If your template doesn’t have a simplification option for mobile view, you should skip it. If you want to sell to the 24- to 34-year-old demographic, you need to be able to access phones and tablets. This age group is the largest consumer group for mobile fashion purchases, with 43 percent of them using a smartphone or tablet to purchase fashion items, according to Pog Studios. Since almost a quarter of these shoppers buy some fashion item online once a week, this demographic targeting is an absolute must for someone looking to reach a profitable market.
A good template can’t make up for bad merchandise, but a bad template choice can ruin a great store. Before you find yourself stuck with a template that doesn’t suit your needs, consider what your fashion-oriented website should actually do. Focus on images and interaction, and simplified mobile options for those browsing on their smartphones and tablets. Once you’ve nailed the functional side, make sure the shape matches the tone of your fashion store. This is the most important thing for your fashion template.
