Turn more clicks into customers with these proven ecommerce optimization tips.
Whether you’re running a growing Shopify store or a custom-built WooCommerce site, optimizing your online store is essential for turning browsers into buyers. In today’s competitive ecommerce landscape, every second, click, and pixel counts.
At 101 Keys, we help Canadian businesses build and grow high-performing ecommerce platforms. In this post, we’ll walk you through five proven strategies to help boost your online store’s performance and drive more sales.
1. Improve Site Speed and Mobile Experience
Slow load times are one of the biggest conversion killers. In fact, studies show that 53% of mobile users abandon a site if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Your site not only needs to look great—it needs to be fast and mobile-friendly.
Here’s how to speed things up:
- Compress images without sacrificing quality using tools like TinyPNG or WebP formats.
- Use a fast, reliable hosting provider optimized for ecommerce.
- Minimize heavy scripts and remove unused plugins.
- Ensure mobile responsiveness with responsive layouts, easy navigation, and thumb-friendly buttons.
🛠 Pro Tip: Test your site with Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to identify what’s slowing you down.
2. Optimize Product Pages for SEO and Conversions
Your product pages do double duty—they need to rank on search engines and convince visitors to buy. A well-optimized page can attract organic traffic and convert that traffic into paying customers.
Key elements to include:
- SEO-friendly titles and URLs: Use keywords people are actually searching for.
- Clear, persuasive descriptions: Highlight benefits, not just features.
- High-quality visuals: Use multiple product images, zoom functionality, and videos if possible.
- Trust factors: Show reviews, star ratings, secure checkout badges, and shipping/return policies.
- Make it easy for visitors to say yes—every click they hesitate on is a potential lost sale.
3. Streamline Your Checkout Process
A complicated or confusing checkout is another major reason for cart abandonment. Your goal? Make it as easy and stress-free as possible for someone to complete a purchase.
Best practices:
- Enable guest checkout—don’t force account creation.
- Keep form fields minimal and enable auto-fill where possible.
- Offer multiple payment methods including Interac, credit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal.
- Clearly display shipping costs and delivery timelines before checkout.
- Add SSL security and payment trust badges to build confidence.
4. Add Conversion Boosters (Upsells, Popups, CTAs)
Once your foundation is solid, it’s time to optimize for maximum value per visitor. Smart add-ons and targeted messaging can significantly boost your conversion rate.
Ideas to implement:
- Upsell related products on product and cart pages.
- Use exit-intent popups to offer a last-chance discount before visitors leave.
- Test your calls to action (CTAs): Try “Get Yours Now” vs. “Add to Cart” and measure results.
- Highlight urgency: Use countdown timers or “limited stock” labels.
A/B testing tools like Google Optimize or built-in Shopify apps can help you find what works best.
5. Leverage Email and Retargeting for Abandoned Carts
Not every visitor buys on their first visit—and that’s okay. What matters is how you follow up.
Win them back with:
- Automated abandoned cart emails that remind them to complete their purchase—bonus points if you include a discount or free shipping.
- Retargeting ads on Google or Facebook that show the product they left behind.
- Email flows for new subscribers, recent buyers, and high-intent users.
Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer plug-and-play integrations for email marketing (e.g., Klaviyo, Mailchimp) and retargeting tools.
Final Thoughts: Make Every Click Count
Ecommerce success isn’t just about traffic—it’s about turning that traffic into revenue. By improving speed, simplifying the customer journey, and optimizing for both search and conversion, you can transform your store into a powerful sales engine.
Ready to level up your online store?
Contact 101 Keys for a free ecommerce site audit or strategy call. Whether you’re on Shopify, WooCommerce, or something custom, we’ll help you boost performance and grow your bottom line.
Want more ecommerce tips?
Check out our post: Shopify vs. WooCommerce: Best Ecommerce Platforms for Canadian Businesses
