One of the most important pages on your ecommerce Web site is the customer service landing pages. This page often has contact information, and maybe even FAQs. The idea is to make it easy to find, and ensure that the information on the customer service landing page is easy for the customer to use.

Altrec has a rather “ultimate” customer service landing page: (more…)

Not too long ago, I did a post on “Welcome” emails. Since I had to sign up for all those accounts — and newsletters — it only makes sense that I take a look at newsletter emails sent by ecommerce Web sites.

Email newsletters offer great opportunities for highlighting products and services, as well as creating a sense of urgency for a potential customer (special 24-hour Internet-only sale!). And, if done with personalized linking, it is possible to offer customers great deals on products and services they actually want. Unfortunately, most of the email newsletters I received did not address my personal preferences. (more…)

Today I’m going to share my thoughts on gift registries. It is true that most ecommerce Web sites these days call them “wishlists,” but there are a few companies out there that make the distinction. Additionally, wishlists are often kept private and then sent out by choice, or made public by choice. Gift registries are usually public and searchable (makes it easier for guests to make use of it).

I’ve found a few ecommerce Web sites that really make a big deal of offering gift registries — especially for weddings and babies. But other events — birthdays, housewarming parties, anniversaries — are getting play as well in terms of gift registries. (more…)

Wishlists are becoming increasingly popular on ecommerce Web sites. This is due in great deal to the fact that we like to be able to personalize our online shopping experiences. Plus, what happens when you see something you like, but can’t buy right now? With ecommerce wishlists, it is possible to save something you like for later purchasing without having to look all over the Web site to find it again.

As usual, Amazon.com manages to steal the show with its awesome wishlist capability. As you can see below, Amazon offers a variety of different list options in addition to the generically named “wishlist.” (more…)

About a month and a half ago, I did an ecommerce usability review on search page attributes. It’s about time for a bit of a follow up on that. So this round, I’m offering a look at advanced search pages. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many of them left any more. But we’ll give it a shot.

I really like this Abe Books advanced search page. Book ecommerce Web sites, as you will see, remain the last strong bastion of what are considered “advanced search pages.” (more…)