BigCommerce is an open SaaS and composable e-commerce platform that offers robust features and tools to help businesses succeed online. Whether you are an entrepreneur or new to the world of e-commerce, it’s important to get your BigCommerce website up and running. Even with all the features of BigCommerce, mistakes are possible and can negatively impact your site. 

To navigate the complexity of website development, you need to pay attention to details and take a strategic approach. It’s very easy to become caught up in the excitement of a new website’s launch and forget about important aspects such as design, functionality, and optimization. You can ensure that your BigCommerce website not only meets but exceeds all of your business goals.

This blog will explore the most common errors made in BigCommerce web development and give you practical tips on how to avoid them, even if you work with a BigCommerce design and development agency.

1. Neglecting Mobile Optimization

Firstly, it is important to optimize your BigCommerce website for mobile devices. Many online shoppers use smartphones and tablets, and if your site does not provide a seamless experience on mobile devices, you may lose potential customers.

Make sure that your BigCommerce website is responsive. All elements should work properly, including images and navigation menus. To ensure a smooth experience, test your site on different browsers and devices. Mobile optimization is important, because it not only affects user satisfaction, but also your website’s ranking in search engines.

2. Poor User Experience Design

The user experience (UX), or the “user journey”, is an important component to website success. A cluttered, confusing layout can turn visitors away and lead to high bounce rates.

Invest in a simple, intuitive design. Make sure that your navigation is simple and easy to use. Users should be able to easily locate products, information, and the checkout process. 

3. Avoiding SEO Best Practices

SEO is crucial to driving organic traffic on your BigCommerce website. Neglecting SEO can lead to poor rankings in search engines and reduced visibility.

Focus on meta tags and images to improve your website’s SEO. Include relevant keywords in your content, and make sure it is informative and valuable.

4. Failure to Use Analytics

Analysis provides insights into your website’s performance, user behavior, and sales trends. Without proper analysis, you may miss opportunities for optimization and improvement.

Monitor metrics such as bounce rate, conversion rates, and average session length to identify areas in need of attention. This data can be used to refine your website’s strategy and make informed decisions.

5. Inaccurate Product Images & Descriptions

Product descriptions and images can significantly influence a customer’s purchasing decision. Poor-quality images and vague or incomplete descriptions can turn off customers and reduce sales.

Every product listing should contain detailed descriptions and high-resolution photos. Highlight the product’s key benefits and specifications to help customers understand it. Images from different angles can also help customers make better decisions.

6. Ignoring Security Measures

Cyberattacks are a major concern for e-commerce websites, so security is a priority. Inadequate security measures could compromise your website and customer data.

Use SSL certificates to protect your transactions and encrypt sensitive data. Update your BigCommerce plugins and software regularly to fix security vulnerabilities. 

7. Ignoring Site Speed

Site speed is an important factor for user experience and ranking in search engines. Slow loading sites frustrate users, increasing bounce rates.

Compress images and code to optimize your website’s performance. Test your site’s performance regularly and address any issues immediately.

8. Skip Regular Maintenance

A website needs ongoing maintenance to function correctly and stay competitive. Neglecting regular maintenance and updates can lead to broken content, outdated links, and other issues that impact the user experience.

Schedule regular maintenance to ensure all features of your site are functioning correctly. Maintaining your website’s appearance will help you maintain professionalism.

Conclusion

To create a successful BigCommerce site, you need to plan carefully and pay attention to details. These insights will ultimately help you build a high-performance e-commerce site or simply hire BigCommerce SEO experts to improve your site’s performance on search engines and increase traffic.

Stay up-to-date with the latest practices. Regularly review your site and make any necessary improvements.