Our top 10 favourite eCommerce websites

It is hard to believe that the first-ever website was built a mere 30 years ago. Our digital space is so vast and ever-developing that we often forget about how far we have come!

Here at eCommerce agency KW Marketing, we live and breathe websites. From ideation to inception to testing – we absolutely love the work that goes into making an eCommerce website, a well-oiled machine. And once that machine is built? Well, we have all the tools at your disposal to get it running smoothly with our various digital marketing avenues.

So how exactly can you make your eCommerce website fire from all cylinders? We’re diving into our favourite eCommerce websites and how they, along with a full scale digital presence, have made their brand and business THRIVE. Read on to learn more about what exactly makes a great eCommerce website as well as our top 10 favourite sites of all time. Ready? LETS GO!

What makes a great eCommerce website?

A good eCommerce website should be designed with the customer in mind, providing a user-friendly experience that is optimised for both desktop and mobile devices, with a clear focus on providing high-quality products and excellent customer service.

There are many factors that go into a great eCommerce website.

1. 1. User-friendly design: The website should be easy to navigate, with a clear layout, simple and intuitive menus, and a clean and attractive design that makes it easy for customers to find what they are looking for.
   2. Mobile compatibility: A good ecommerce website should be optimised for mobile devices, since an increasing number of customers are using smartphones and tablets to shop online.
   3. Fast loading times: Customers expect websites to load quickly, so it is important to ensure that your ecommerce site is optimised for fast load times, which can improve the user experience and help to increase conversions.
   4. Clear product descriptions: The product descriptions should be accurate and detailed, including information on the product features, dimensions, materials, and any other relevant information.
   5. High-quality product images: High-quality product images are crucial for ecommerce websites, since they can help to showcase the products in the best possible way and make customers more likely to make a purchase.
   6. Easy checkout process: The checkout process should be simple and streamlined, with minimal steps required to complete the purchase. This can help to reduce cart abandonment rates and improve conversion rates.
   7. Secure payment options: Customers expect to be able to make purchases securely, so it is important to offer a range of trusted and secure payment options, such as credit cards, PayPal, and other popular payment methods.
   8. Customer reviews and ratings: Including customer reviews and ratings on your ecommerce website can help to build trust and credibility with potential customers, as well as providing valuable feedback for improving your products and services.
   9. Personalisation: Personalising the shopping experience for customers can help to improve engagement and increase customer loyalty, by offering personalised recommendations and promotions based on their preferences and previous purchases.

Our favourite eCommerce website (and why they work)

1. Sungod: In the world of sunglasses – Sungod is doing something right. Their ‘God’ status is well deserved as their hero products are a testament to their innovation and mission. Their website, like their products, is built to last. Its clean, sharp and simple design reflects their simple mission – to ‘See Better.’ – and champions their sustainability credits as well as their forward-thinking and revolutionary partnerships.
   We love how Sungod’s simple mission is a clear strand that runs through all of their digital marketing. From their website, to their organic online presence to their earned media – it is clear to see their digital strength.
2. Ding Dong Dim Sum: One of the few good things that came out of the pandemic was the explosion of straight-to-your-door food delivery services. Now, we’re not talking about your Deliveroo’s or JustEats – we’re talking about restaurant quality meal kits served up straight to your kitchen! The delight that is Ding Dong Dim Sum is one of these businesses. Their website is a delightful treasure trove of their products and gifts. Their fun & zesty branding is perfectly offset by the intuitive and clean design of their website. Ding Dong Dim Sum is the perfect example that your eCommerce website doesn’t need to be big and flashy – instead, informative, fun and easy-to-use are key on your eCommerce journey.
3. Sous Chef: A treasure trove of all things kitchen. Any aspiring chef or cooking fanatic knows about Sous Chef. From their seemingly never-ending pantry to their enviable display of cookery books – it can seem like Sous Chef has it all! As the UK’s most-loved online foodie store, customers can buy hard-to-find ingredients, world ingredients and cooking equipment for the home cook and professional kitchen. What we love about Sous Chef is their ease of navigation and top-drawer product management. It’s an eCommerce dream to ensure that each product has its place to shine. Perfect product placement follows the users journey across the digital marketing space – leading the customer back to Sous Chef each time.
4. All Birds: Sustainable footwear that looks good and does good? Step right this way. Allbirds pathway was simple – from their origins in New Zealand, they’ve been on a journey to make better things in a better way. Simplicity in design, confidence in comfort and being made from nature are the mottos that ring true on their website. Using Shopify Plus’ omnichannel approach – Allbirds website shows exactly how they’re a step ahead of everyone else.
5. Billy Tannery: Sustainable goat leather goods – sweet and supple, and their website showcases this perfectly! We absolutely love the inclusion of video on their first fold of their homepage, displaying their wares perfectly.
6. Salcombe Distilling Co.: It’s no secret that our team absolutely LOVE Salcombe Gin – and their website is second to none! Their luxurious branding is clear to see throughout the site and throughout their digital marketing. Born and bred from Devonshire waters, Salcombe Gin has a strong and recognisable brand identity, thanks to its distinctive nautical-themed packaging and marketing campaigns. The brand has successfully carved out a niche in the highly competitive gin market, with a loyal following of customers who appreciate its quality, values, and unique character. Their eCommerce website ensures that their brand shines through and true. We raise a glass to their eCommerce website and our wonderful local brand that is Salcombe Gin!
7. Beauty Pie: Subscription skincare done well. Beauty Pie is a skincare and cosmetics company that offers high-quality beauty products at lower prices by cutting out the middlemen and selling directly to consumers. The company’s business model involves offering a subscription-based service that allows members to purchase products at factory prices, which are significantly lower than traditional retail prices.
8. Patch Plants: If you’re anything like us then you LOVE plants and home decor. Patch Plants grew their sustainable business by banking on their customers’ love of plants being delivered straight to their front door. We love Patch Plant’s tongue in cheek tone of voice that they carry through their ecommerce website – including their amazingly named plants!
9. Dishpatch: What more could you want from restaurant meal kits delivered straight to your door? We love Dishpatch’s simple design and clean, concise checkout process. Many eCommerce sites put so much onus upon home pages and product pages (which don’t get us wrong, are important!) but the checkout process is the final piece of the puzzle to leading your customers down the funnel to the checkout. Dispatch nails this.
10. Piglet In Bed: Soft, sumptuous, silky. We just want to jump into Piglet in Bed’s website! We love their styled images and their gorgeous style. Our favourite part? Join their ‘Piglet Perks’ rewards scheme. Rewards schemes are so great for customer retention and Piglet in Bed has got that nailed with their personalisation of their customers programme. A gorgeous website for a gorgeous brand!

The next stage of your digital journey to take your eCommerce to the next level!

It goes without saying that your eCommerce website is just one stage of your journey in the digital marketing world.

Your website sits hand in hand with all the rest of your digital marketing activity. From paid media to your organic traffic – your website is the hub of all of your activity and needs to look and feel like the core of your brand.

There are so many ways that you can take your digital marketing further with your eCommerce websites. KW Marketing are an all bells and whistles digital marketing agency who are on one mission. To help their clients to GET RESULTS! With 20 years of experience under our belt, we are well equipped to help you reach your goals in the digital and eCommerce space. Head over to our service page to find out more or get in touch today!