Original Source: https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2022/04/3-quick-tricks-to-boost-customer-retention/

Acquiring a new customer is difficult, but retaining an existing one is even more challenging. Yet, statistics show that efforts focused on retention bring way more value. 

For instance, according to SmallBizGenius, 82% of companies agree that customer retention is cheaper than acquisition. Apart from that, 65% of a company’s revenue comes from existing clients, and increasing the investment in retention by only 5% already gives you a boost in profits by 25% to 95%. Impressive, right?

So what should you do to reach such results? 

One component that impacts brand-client relationships is website design. This article will give you three design tricks that will encourage your customers to come back to your site more and more. 

1. Rethink Your Website Structure

It is hard to imagine a website visitor who would spend more than five minutes (usually it’s way less) trying to figure out the navigation system on your website. If you have a loaded, complex site structure, you will not retain a customer. 

Take Craigslist, for instance. Its navigation is not user-friendly, not to mention that it took over 30 seconds to load when the acceptable average load time should be no more than 1.7 seconds:

Here’s what proper website navigation presupposes:

Subordination should not go deeper than three levels.
A website should include eight horizontal categories max. 
The structure should be symmetrical. 
The menu should not be overstuffed with too many locations. 

Since we mentioned Craigslist, let’s take a look at its competitor AdPost, which has a better website structure:

Instead of listing all the product categories on the front page, like Craigslist, AdPost added them to the search menu, thus making the design more user-friendly and making the navigation cleaner. 

2. Make Your Site Multilingual

If you have visitors coming to your website from around the world, you should not assume they know English. A survey by Weglot found some interesting results regarding the attitude of buyers to shopping on international websites:

52% of websites are in English, but English reaches only 25% of global users.
56% of visitors say the website information in their language is more important than the price.
73% of customers say they prefer to shop on sites in their own language. 

So, there is no doubt that having your website localized to several languages can increase customer retention, especially considering the last stat. 

To understand the proper practices of making a website multilingual, look at the examples of the best language learning apps. For instance, Preply has a drop-down menu where you can choose from multiple language options, including Polish, Ukrainian, German, and many more:

Translating your website to different languages will help the visitor understand the value of your product better. However, before you invest in localization, make sure you study the data on customer behaviors to understand which languages your audience speaks. 

3. Invest in Custom Illustrations

Some companies don’t bother much with designing their websites, especially when it comes to custom elements, such as visuals. However, research has shown that the focus on branding in website design increases customer commitment and e-loyalty, as a result. 

Moreover, in the world of billions of websites, you need something that would help your business stand out. And custom illustrations are among those features that contribute to your site’s uniqueness. 

Just take a quick look at the Emiozaki Web site. It includes personalized illustrations and animation created in the form of a tablet that substitutes the navigation menu:

This website reflects the brand’s tone and style, and animation adds emotion to UX. Apart from that, it’s also an excellent example of structuring a website. 

Or, if you would like an example of a less loaded design, take a look at this personal portfolio by Victoire Douy. It also includes animations that add interactivity to the design. For instance, you can play with the shadow of the girl’s hand:

So, if you want your website to attract more customers and encourage them to hang out for longer, take the creative approach. Hiring an illustrator is, of course, costly, but it will help your site stand out. 

Wrapping Up

As you can see, you’ll have to put in a lot of work to bring forward website design that increases online customer retention. You just have to employ our three best practices. Let’s quickly recap them:

Rethink your website structure; it should make the navigation easier. 
Consider making your site multilingual; you’ll retain more international visitors. 
Invest in custom illustrations to help consumers differentiate your brand from your competitors. 

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The post 3 Quick Tricks to Boost Customer Retention first appeared on Webdesigner Depot.

Original Source: https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2022/04/popular-design-news-of-the-week-april-18-2022-april-24-2022/

Every day design fans submit incredible industry stories to our sister-site, Webdesigner News. Our colleagues sift through it, selecting the very best stories from the design, UX, tech, and development worlds and posting them live on the site.
The best way to keep up with the most important stories for web professionals is to subscribe to Webdesigner News or check out the site regularly. However, in case you missed a day this week, here’s a handy compilation of the top curated stories from the last seven days. Enjoy!”

The 3 Best Project Management Tools for Freelancers in 2022

14 Best YouTube Channels for Designers in 2022

MassCode 2.0 – Free and Open Source Code Snippet Manager

The Principles and Laws of UX Design

CSS Parent Selector

The Front-End Developer’s Guide to the Terminal

Svelte Vs React: Which Javascript Framework Wins in 2022

5 Github Repositories You Should Know as a Developer

Horizon UI – Trendiest Open-source React Admin Template

5 Things I Hate About Being a Developer

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The post Popular Design News of the Week: April 18, 2022 – April 24, 2022 first appeared on Webdesigner Depot.

Original Source: https://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2022/04/20-best-new-sites-may-2022/

Sometimes it’s easy to feel like the world is going to pieces all around us, especially when we’re doom scrolling Twitter between news alerts every few minutes. But if we step back a little, things may not seem so bad.

On the web, we see companies and individuals taking a positive stand, making changes, and carrying on despite challenging circumstances. So in this month’s collection, we celebrate confidence and accentuate the positive, as the song says. Enjoy!

Plastic Bionic

The ‘change view’ option is well used in this portfolio site for Plasticbionic design studio. The grid view is especially pleasing.

Fabricca

Creative agency Fabricca has gone for a simple look, with some appealing illustrations and custom icons.

Normand

The color scheme and display font choice (Knockout) make a strong statement here for law firm Normand.

Dumpling Delivery

We all need some bored-on-a-slow-friday-afternoon distraction from time to time, and Mailchimp delivers the goods here.

OTR

OTR is a mental health service for young people aged 11-25. The site does a great job of feeling approachable and friendly to younger users while not being condescending, cutesy, or childish.

neueMeta

Good use of block color adds extra depth to this otherwise brutalist portfolio site for neueMeta design studio.

Vitra Chair Finder

This interactive questionnaire helps the customer identify the best chair for their needs. The animation is done well here, and a page of swirling Vitra chairs is a lovely thing to see.

Chia Studios

A good balance here of serious and fun in Chia Studio’s portfolio site, professional but friendly.

Sagmeister 123

The concept behind this limited clothing range designed by Stefan Sagmeister is that, taking the long-term view, the world is actually getting better. As such, the Sagmeister 123 site has an overall feeling of quiet positivity. And a koala.

RecPak

RecPak is a meal replacement shake designed for taking during outdoor activities. The site has an active, dynamic feel that works well to convey a sense of rugged outdoor adventure.

Alicia Moore

This site for Alicia Moore clothing brand oozes style and sophistication with soft colors and beautiful fashion photography.

Think Packaging

Think Packaging’s website has a bright, bold, fun feel. Case studies are well presented visually but keep text to a minimum.

BP&O

Brand design and packaging blog BP&O has added extended content for subscribers, and their new site is a pleasure to browse.

The Future Factory

The Future Factory is a business lead generation agency, which doesn’t sound, well, a bit dull. But, some funky animation and slightly quirky type certainly do not convey dullness.

Polybion

Polybion’s new website has a spacious feel with a rich color scheme adding a sense of confidence and brand maturity.

The Empathy Experiment

The Empathy Experiment is an interactive ‘game’ from digital agency media.monks that examines empathy and inclusivity in the workplace while at the same time showcasing some technical skills.

Belle Epoque

The opening scroll on Belle Epoque’s site is really pleasing, and the random floating shapes are intriguing.

Richard Ekwonye

Richard Ekwonye’s portfolio site is clean and straightforward. Skills are on display, but without intruding on the content.

SND

SND has created UI sound kits. The site is as simple as it could possibly be, and yet it is impossible not to investigate all the sounds and start imagining where you could use them.

KMZ Industries

Regular readers will know how much we like technical/industrial-made-interesting sites, and this one for KMZ grain storage systems is a perfect example.

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Original Source: https://ecommerce-platforms.com/articles/how-to-become-a-shopify-expert

You may have heard of the Shopify Experts marketplace and considered it as a way to make money selling your services. If that’s the case, it’s essential to understand the fundamentals of the marketplace and what it takes to become a Shopify Expert. Whether you’re a Shopify developer, designer, industry authority, or someone with unique Ecommerce experience, it’s possible that you may fit into the Shopify Partners and Experts ecosystem. In this article, we outline everything you need to know about how to become a Shopify Expert. 

We’ll cover:

What a Shopify Expert IsThe Benefits of Becoming a Shopify ExpertCategories of Shopify ExpertsThe Differences Between Shopify Experts and Shopify PartnersPrerequisites to Becoming a Shopify ExpertThe Shopify Experts Application Process

Keep reading to start your journey as a Shopify Expert!

What’s a Shopify Expert?

As an ecommerce platform, Shopify sells its products and services to online store owners. These are users who often require contract work for things like web design, web development, writing, marketing, and business development. So, Shopify created a marketplace for agencies, freelancers, digital marketers, and developers to list their services and connect with Shopify store owners. 

They call the marketplace Shopify Experts. 

The Shopify Experts marketplace works alongside the Shopify Partner program, which is the actual community and site management system. Shopify Partners also provides unlimited access to development stores for passing over to clients, and it often comes into play when selling your services on Shopify Experts. 

 Overall, a Shopify Expert is:

A freelancer, agency, or contract worker that sells its services to Shopify customers. Experienced with Shopify, or willing to learn. Some Expert categories—like writers or marketers—don’t require advanced programming knowledge of the Shopify platform, but you must still know your way around the interface. A participant of the Shopify Partners program and with a proven track record of clients. A freelancer or agency with a solid portfolio of past work. Available for work in one of the Shopify Experts categories. 

Categories of Shopify Experts

The Shopify Experts marketplace provides a long list of categories for its Experts, allowing you to choose some of those categories for users to find you based on the work they require. 

That means you can become an Expert in any of the following categories and sub-categories:

 Marketing and sales: Email marketingSEOSearch engine advertisingSearch engine marketingContent marketingSales channel setupConversion rate optimizationAnalytics and trackingMarketing and sales guidance Online shop setup: Store build or redesignStore migrationProduct and collection setupShopify theme customizationCustom visual elementsEcommerce website settings configurationPOS setup and migrationCheckout customizationStore setup and design guidanceAmazon or Etsy integration Development and troubleshooting: Custom app development and API integrationsApp installation from the Shopify App StoreCustom template developmentCustom domain setupCustom commerce experienceSite functionality and speed TroubleshootingVisual content and branding:Product descriptionsWebsite and marketing content Content writing: Product descriptionsWebsite and marketing contentExpert guidance: Online business strategy guidanceProduct sourcing guidanceStore setup and design guidanceMarketing materials and sales guidanceHelp merchants with site performance and speedSales tax guidance

It’s also worth mentioning that you’re not just stuck with picking one category. Shopify Experts frequently select multiple categories based on which services they sell. 

The Benefits of Becoming a Shopify Expert

There are various advantages to becoming a Shopify Expert, most notably the exposure and networking potential it brings to your business. We like the Shopify Partner program for those interesting in building a business. But the true potential comes when you get listed on the Shopify Experts marketplace, allowing you immediate connections to millions of Shopify merchants who often need help with their site builds and content. 

Here are the main benefits to becoming a Shopify Expert: 

Improve your brand image: As a vetted marketplace, there’s no better stamp of approval than landing your business on the Shopify Experts marketplace. Merchants understand that it’s an exclusive list of contractors, so they expect the best possible workers when they see your brand on the list. Gain access to Shopify’s incredible user base: With over 2 million daily active users and more than 5 million active Shopify websites, becoming a Shopify Expert means your brand gets shown to each one of those merchants that require assistance with their store. It’s one of the largest of consolidated customer marketplaces you can find, and much of the time, those potential clients end up reaching out to you. Talk about free marketing. Benefit from a streamlined communications system: Although not required, many of the communications get held within the Shopify interface. It’s easy to use and understandable for all Shopify merchants and Experts. You can also move your conversations out of Shopify if you’d like. That makes your relationships flexible, but with a hint of security and reliability, seeing as how much of it is moderated by Shopify. Have some recourse if a client doesn’t pay: All agreements that occur through the Shopify Experts marketplace get held in escrow so that you know there are funds available for when you complete the job. You also have a Shopify customer support team to contact just in case something goes wrong. Handling freelance or agency clients in real life aren’t exactly that easy. You can connect and work with other Shopify Experts: Many Shopify Experts partner with each other to tackle an entire job. In fact, sometimes it’s a necessity. This means you meet other workers and have the opportunity to promote each other’s work. As this network builds, you’re able to refer clients to other Experts, and those Experts will refer business to you. 

As you can see, it pays to get accepted into the Shopify Experts marketplace. Not only does the marketplace provide free marketing, but it opens up your business to various merchants and contractors who can spread the word about your work. It’s an excellent opportunity for creating a successful business, so keep reading to learn more about how it works and how to apply. 

What’s the Difference Between Shopify Experts and Shopify Partners?

Shopify Partners is not the same thing as Shopify Experts, but they work together. 

Shopify Partners is:

A business platform for creating and managing Shopify apps and stores for clients. Available to anyone who wants to try making or managing websites for clients. A system with options for creating or managing unlimited Shopify sites, sending client invoices, making apps, and becoming an affiliate. Linked to the Shopify community of other Partners, where you can learn, network, and collaborate with others. 

Shopify Experts is:

A marketplace that provides listings of the most reputable Shopify Partner accounts for all Shopify merchants to hire. Only available to invited Partners, or those who can prove they have enough experience to get listed on the marketplace. A system that lets you customize a listing page with pricing, portfolio items, and services. Linked to the large community of Shopify merchants that are looking to hire experts. 

How to Become a Shopify Expert

Joining the Shopify Experts marketplace requires experience with the platform, a history of clients, and an invitation from Shopify to join the marketplace. You also have the option to contact Shopify to gain access. Follow the steps below to understand how it works. 

Prerequisites to Become a Shopify Expert

A Shopify Partners account: This is free for everyone to join. More than 5 client stores on Shopify: This shows you’ve successfully sold your services to clients, and you have experience working with Shopify. You can build stores or apps for eligibility in the Shopify Experts program.  Experience in a given area: Categories include development, design, writing, marketing, product development, and more. A solid portfolio: A portfolio isn’t required, but it helps to show your skills to Shopify and potential clients. Include links, pictures, details on the projects, and maybe some references. 

Read the entirety of the Shopify Experts marketplace requirements to ensure you’re eligible to join, and for maintaining your Expert status into the future. 

Step 1: Join the Shopify Partners Program

To obtain a Shopify Experts profile and start selling your services, you must first join the Shopify Partners program. 

Fill out the Shopify Partners form with this information:

Business namePrimary business email addressWebsiteAddressPrimary way you plan to make money with the programWhich ecommerce platforms you have worked with in the past

Anyone can join the Shopify Partners program, even if you’re just testing it out. The program gives you a dashboard for building and managing client sites. 

Step 2: Manage at Least 5 Client Stores

To get considered for Shopify Experts, you must currently manage at least 5 Shopify stores in Shopify Partners. This means you’ve brought on the clients yourself, completed the development process, and passed ownership onto the client. 

Note: Even non-development workers must join the Partners program and manage at least 5 stores. That doesn’t mean you have to develop those stores, but you should have access to these stores for contracting purposes. For instance, you may have 5 clients for which you provide writing or photography services. 

Of course, that all starts with adding client stores. The goal is to move clients from the Development category to the Managed category, since Shopify Experts requires active, managed stores for consideration. 

To add a new client to your list, click on the Add Store button. 

Here, you can choose between:

A development store: This is for building a Shopify store or app from scratch. You can then transfer ownership to a client. Managed store: This gives you access to an existing Shopify store, particularly when selling non-development services, like writing, photography, or website management. 

Make sure you select what you intend to do with the development store, like building a new store for a client, testing an app, or just playing around. 

As an alternative, you can request administrative permissions to certain aspects of an existing site if you sell non-development services like writing or photography. 

Once you’ve created a store, or gained permission to an existing site, it shows up on your list of managed sites, with a link to log into the backend and transfer ownership. 

And to get considered for the Shopify Experts marketplace, you must do this 5 times!

Step 3: Create a Portfolio of Your Past Work

The Shopify Experts marketplace gives you a page to list your experience, portfolio items, rates, and location. Yet, you don’t have access to a page like this if you haven’t yet been accepted to the Experts marketplace. Therefore, we recommend building your own website (on places like WordPress, Wix, or Weebly) to display your portfolio. 

This way, you’re able to present that experience with Shopify, giving yourself a stronger chance at acceptance.

Include a gallery of past projects, contact information, and descriptions on what went into the projects. 

Apolo Multimedia is a Shopify Expert, but they already had a website portfolio prior to joining the marketplace

Step 4: Request Access to the Shopify Experts Marketplace

Shopify states that reputable Shopify Partners often receive invites to join the Shopify Experts marketplace. So, Shopify already monitors its community and reaches out to those that may improve its collection of experts. 

But instead of waiting around for an email from Shopify, workers and contractors can contact Shopify and request a listing on the Shopify Experts marketplace. 

The only way to go about that is by sending a message to the Shopify Partners support team. 

So, click on Support > Contact Partner Support. 

Choose online chat, email, or phone to explain why your freelance or agency business deserves to be listed on the marketplace. Include information to back up your request such as a website portfolio, years of experience, track record, and communication timeline. 

Step 5: Build Your Shopify Experts Marketplace Page

After acceptance to the marketplace, several new tabs show up on your Shopify Partners dashboard. There’s much to managing your marketplace account, but the first step is filling in the profile with services, contact information, rates, and more. 

You can go to Services > Profile to handle all of this. 

Note: The Services tab isn’t available unless you’re granted access to the Shopify Experts marketplace. 

Shopify has a comprehensive Getting Started Guide for setting up your Experts Marketplace profile. 

Summary

Are you still interested in learning how to become a Shopify Expert? We encourage you to bookmark this guide as you walk through the preparation and application process. One of the unique parts of the Shopify Experts Marketplace is that Shopify vets every entrepreneur before listing on the website; that way, its users don’t have to worry about working with questionable contractors. But for you, that means it’s essential to have the know how, portfolio, and communications needed to meet Shopify’s expectations. 

We encourage you to develop your expertise as you go, and consider applying for the Shopify Experts program once you’re ready. After that, the marketplace opens up a wide range of opportunities for your business, from connections with other Shopify Experts to your company name getting listed on an extremely popular freelance/agency marketplace. 

With all of that said, let us know in the comments if you have any further questions about how to become a Shopify Expert. And share your thoughts on the program if you have experience in the past!

The post How to Become a Shopify Expert (From Start to Finish) appeared first on Ecommerce Platforms.