For any business selling to consumers online — and for outdoors-focused e-commerce brands in particular — mobile shoppers present an investment opportunity that’s not only worthwhile, but can simply no longer be overlooked. Statistics show that U.S. mobile e-commerce sales have (substantially) more than doubled over the past five years and are on track to do it again over the next five. The numbers make it clear that to maximize e-commerce revenues, it’s essential for outdoor brands to optimize their websites for mobile shopping. In this post, we’ll share the keys to doing it right.
The Opportunity in Mobile Commerce for Outdoor Brands
The sharp rise of mobile commerce in recent years has transformed the way outdoor enthusiasts shop for gear and plan their adventures. Mobile devices make shopping more accessible for everyone, allowing customers to browse and buy anytime, anywhere — whether they’re at home or out exploring. As an inherently active audience, outdoor enthusiasts in particular tend to rely on their phones for trip planning, checking weather conditions or researching gear reviews on the go. This creates a unique opportunity for outdoor brands to meet customers where they already are: on their devices during moments of inspiration or need.
To tap into the opportunity, outdoor brands must tailor their online shopping platforms to specific user devices and their capabilities. This creates a need for different mobile and desktop shopping experiences. For example, a mobile site might prioritize features like geolocation to help users find nearby retailers or trails, while a desktop site can offer more in-depth browsing tools and larger product comparison interfaces. Both experiences should reflect the brand’s identity and cater to the unique needs of each platform, creating a seamless journey no matter how customers choose to engage.
8 Keys to Mobile Optimization for E-Commerce
When designing for mobile shopping, outdoor brands must consider the unique needs of mobile users, including ease of navigation, quick load times and features that align with their active lifestyles. A successful mobile experience should be fast, intuitive and tailored to the way customers engage with their devices.
Here are eight actionable strategies your outdoor brand can implement to optimize its website for mobile shopping and e-commerce:
1. Implement Responsive Design
Your website should adapt smoothly to various screen sizes, keeping navigation intuitive and functionality consistent whether customers shop on their smartphones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers.
2. Speed Up Load Times With Headless Design
Today’s mobile shoppers won’t wait for slow-loading pages. To minimize bounce rate and cart abandonment, leverage tactics such as image compression, streamlined code and caching. With headless design, pages load even faster for a better and more reliable experience, especially when customers may be at the trailhead with only a single bar.
3. Simplify Navigation
Use clean, straightforward menus that are easy to navigate on small screens. Highlight key areas like product categories, search bars and checkout buttons to effortlessly guide shoppers. Sufficiently space out buttons and links for easy clicking.
4. Integrate Mobile Wallets
Fast, frictionless payments can ease the checkout process and boost your outdoor brand’s e-commerce conversion rates. Offer options like Apple Pay and Google Pay to make checkout quick and convenient for mobile shoppers.
5. Prioritize Visual Simplicity
Cluttered designs can overwhelm users on small screens. Focus on clear visuals, high-quality product images and an uncluttered layout that directs attention to your outdoor brand’s offerings.
6. Design for Touch Interaction
To support easier navigation with the fingertips, incorporate large buttons, swipeable galleries and other touch-friendly elements that make browsing and purchasing on your website smooth and frustration-free.
7. Minimize Forms
Fewer form fields lead to faster checkouts and higher conversion rates. Use autofill features for addresses and payment details, and let users check out as guests to avoid lengthy sign-up processes.
8. Incorporate Augmented Reality (AR)
Make your outdoor brand’s mobile shopping experience stand out by adding augmented reality (AR) features. For example, use AR to let customers visualize your gear in real-world settings, or offer 360-degree views so they can see products from all angles before they make their purchase decisions.
By focusing on these eight key tactics, your outdoor brand can create an e-commerce experience that better aligns with the lifestyle and shopping habits of today’s outdoor enthusiasts, helping you drive sales and build loyalty in the process.
TBA Outdoors: Your Outdoor Brand E-Commerce Experts
Whether your outdoor brand wants to elevate its mobile shopping experience or improve other marketing assets that fuel e-commerce success, the team of pros at TBA Outdoors can cover all your needs. To explore all the ways we can help your outdoor enthusiast brand see more online-sales successes, contact our team today.