You set up a BigCommerce shop with high hopes. You add products and pick a theme. Traffic arrives but sales lag. Few factors cause that gap. You can tweak site, adjust content, and refine checkout. Start by spotting common traps and take steps to fix them.
Brand Image That Fails to Stand Out
A new store often looks like every other one. You pick a generic theme and call it a day. Shoppers drift off before they reach product pages. You want a visual style and tone that speak your brand.
First, pick a theme that you can tweak with your palette and logo. Use clear fonts and a hero image that ties to your niche. Next, write a tagline that tells visitors why you exist. Hint at solution or value.
Keep these points in focus:
- Unique palette and font sets mood
- Hero image shows your main product or service
- Tagline hints at buyer gain
- Consistent logo placement builds trust
With clear look and tone you grab attention. Visitors will stick around long enough to shop.
SEO Gaps That Hurt Visibility
A well ranked site draws organic visits. Many novices skip keyword research. They pick random tags or reuse titles from a rival. As a result they rank low on search results.
You can boost rank by choosing words you want on page titles and meta tags. Use search tools to find keywords with real monthly queries. Aim for terms that match your product purpose. Then apply those words to titles, URLs, and image names.
Also add alt text for pictures. Keep it brief yet specific. Avoid stuffing many words at once. A clear phrase works best.
Key steps to improve search rank:
- Find target terms with real search data
- Use terms in titles, URLs, and image names
- Supply concise alt text for each image
- Write meta descriptions with one target term
A well tuned SEO plan attracts visitors who mean to buy. You gain quality traffic without extra ad spend.
Product Descriptions That Lack Clarity
A title like “Red Widget” tells little. A short description like “High quality” tells even less. You need clear titles and details that solve a shopper’s need.
Start with a title that includes core keyword and model or size. Then list key specs in bullet form. Finally add a short paragraph that describes benefit. Focus on how your widget will fit into a project or solve a pain point.
Here’s a basic layout:
- Title with keyword and unique identifier
- Bullet specs such as dimensions or material
- Two or three lines on buyer gain
Aim for clarity over flowery text. Shoppers scan descriptions in seconds. Sharp facts and benefit notes hold their gaze.
Delivery and Payment Options That Feel Limited
A buyer may abandon cart if you require a rare payment type. Or if delivery fee looks steep. Beginners often stick to default gateway and one delivery tier. That triggers drops at checkout.
Offer at least two payment gateways. Accept major cards and a digital wallet. Add an option for bank transfer if you serve B2B buyers. For delivery, provide a free standard tier and a paid fast tier. Use a clear table that lists cost and ETA per tier.
Best practice list:
- Two or more payment gateways
- One wallet option such as PayPal or Apple Pay
- Two delivery tiers with clear ETA
- No hidden fees at checkout
With options at hand buyers feel in control. You reduce cart drop and spur more sales.
Slow Site That Drives Visitors Away
A sluggish site kills conversion. Big images and unused scripts add load time. You may not spot that until you test speed.
Run a speed audit tool on desktop and phone. Note elements that load slow. Often pictures weigh too much. Replace large files with compressed versions. Next, remove any code you do not need. Unused plugins or scripts add bulk without payoff.
Follow these quick fixes:
- Compress images to under 200 KB
- Remove scripts that bring no value
- Use a modern theme optimized for speed
- Enable browser cache and server-side cache
A fast site means faster checkout. You keep curious visitors from bouncing off page zero.
Analytics Setup That Fails to Track Goals
Without data you guess where you lose buyers. You add Google Analytics but skip goal setup. You see visits but not revenue sources.
Define key events such as product view, add to cart, and completed sale. Insert code on those pages or use the built-in BigCommerce module. Next, test each event path. You can then view reports that show drop-off per step.
Data points to track:
- Product view count per item
- Cart add rate per product
- Checkout completion rate
- Source by channel (paid, organic, referral)
With clear data you make precise tweaks. You focus on the spot that costs you the most buyers.
Mobile Experience That Feels Clumsy
A neat desktop site may turn awkward on phone. Links sit too close. Text looks tiny. Checkout fields shrink to thumb size.
Test each page on several phone models. Tap every link with your thumb. Is the menu easy to open? Can you fill in fields without a zoom tool? If not, switch to a theme built for all screens. Then set font sizes to at least 16 pixels. Give buttons enough space to tap without error.
Quick mobile audit:
- Tap each link on a phone screen
- Check font size and line spacing
- Ensure button size of at least 44×44 pixels
- Verify checkout fields fill with one tap
A streamlined mobile flow lifts your revenue. You catch buyers who shop on the go.
Content Gaps That Cost Trust
Shoppers seek proof before buy. A single generic page on returns won’t cut it. You need clear policies, helpful FAQs, and social proof.
Write a returns page with steps and timeframes. Use an FAQ list to answer common doubts on bulk orders or item care. Then add customer quotes under top sellers. Keep each section short. Bullets help visitors scan fast.
Content must cover:
- Return process with steps and deadlines
- FAQ on order status and care tips
- Two or three customer quotes per category
Clear text builds trust. You earn shoppers who stick around and come back.
Why Choose Anchor Group for BigCommerce Implementation?
You want a BigCommerce implementation partner who knows BigCommerce inside and out. Anchor Group brings real-world expertise in store setup and launch. You gain a clear plan and a step-wise rollout.
Anchors stand by builders. We help define your brand image and SEO plan. We set up payment and delivery tiers that match your market. We test speed on desktop and phone. We install goal tracking and ensure mobile flow runs smooth.
With Anchor Group you get:
- Customtheme tweaks for brand fit
- SEO tune-up for target keywords
- Checkout setup with multiple gateways
- Delivery structure that scales
- Data-driven setup of analytics and goals
- Hands-off launch support and training
Our local crew joins your team until launch day and beyond. You tap a deep pool of BigCommerce know-how and quick support.
Final Thoughts
A new BigCommerce shop holds vast potential. You just need to dodge common traps. Nail your brand look. Tune SEO and site speed. Add clear payment and delivery choices. Track data from view to sale. Polish mobile flow and content. Then watch traffic turn into loyal buyers.
Take each step in order. Test results, fix weak spots, then expand your catalog or promo mix. Success on BigCommerce comes from steady focus on user needs. With Anchor Group by your side you avoid pitfalls and keep your line humming. Your shop will draw visitors, convert them, and earn repeat business.
