Ecommerce Blog

1. Show visually where to find item numbers.

2. Provide instructions, but keep them short.

3. Allow customer to add extra input fields, or give instructions on how to add more items than your default form provides.

4. Allow customer to input quantity.

5. Watch your error handling. Make it clear when the item no longer exists and provide a search tool or customer service number.

Eddie Bauer (above) does this well. 1-800-Flowers unfortunately kicks you out of Catalog Quick Order to the home page if you make a mistake or the product no longer exists.

6. Allow customer to request a catalog.

7. If possible, allow customer to select size/color without having to view product page.

8. Ask for “Source Code” for customer matchback analytics.

9. Use cart button best practices (wording and design).

We know cart buttons that fade into the background won’t convert as high as bright, bold buttons:

And wording is important. “Add to cart” assures the customer that the quick order will fast-track to the cart summary. Generally it is advised not to use button text like “Submit,” which has a negative connotation in people’s minds.

“Submit Request” does not imply you will be taken directly to the cart. Submitting a request usually involves a time lag and a person contacting you by phone or email, which catalog quick order is not.

You may also like these similar posts:

• 4 Tips for Order Tracking Usability
• Merchandising Usability: Better Ways to Display Product Recommendations
• In-Store Pickup Tips for Multichannel Retailers
• Tips for Tracking Offline Orders: PPC & Catalog
• 4 Ways To Send a Customer Back to Last Viewed Product

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