Multimedia and interactivity
A range of customer service options available are synchronous (live) and asynchronous. Synchronous options include telephone callback (user enters a contact number into a given website) and live chat. Asynchronous options include email communication, where an instant response is not always possible.
E-commerce is used by consumers and businesses to exchange goods and services (buy and sell) over electronic systems such as the world wide web.
E-commerce websites are often a media rich environment with a wide range of A computer or application that responds to the user鈥檚 input, two way communication between human and device features to help shoppers complete transactions.
E-commerce websites frequently make use of images, video and text to display product information. The websites will often combine multimedia with high levels of user interaction, including product reviews, recommendations, wish lists, shopping baskets and personalised accounts.
Personalised accounts allow users to manage orders (cancel, view or update), access tracking information and save shopping lists for future use.
Key features will include:
| Feature | Purpose |
| Search box | Allows customers to quickly search for the product that they are looking for |
| Featured product | Informs customers of top selling products |
| Newsletter subscription | Allows customers to enter their email address to stay up to date with offers and promotions. This allows companies to build mailing lists for use in marketing campaigns. |
| Product zoom / product video | Allows visitors to see the minute details of your products. It attempts to replace the touch and feel of high street shopping. |
| Navigation | Clear and accessible navigation will be available from all pages. Breadcrumbs and universal menu icons should be used. |
| Payment gateway | Provides a secure and intuitive interface for payment. |
| Customer reviews | Allows prospective customers to read about the experience of past buyers. Positive reviews can help sales. |
| Social media integration | Allows shoppers to share their purchases with others via social media. |
| Feature | Search box |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Allows customers to quickly search for the product that they are looking for |
| Feature | Featured product |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Informs customers of top selling products |
| Feature | Newsletter subscription |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Allows customers to enter their email address to stay up to date with offers and promotions. This allows companies to build mailing lists for use in marketing campaigns. |
| Feature | Product zoom / product video |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Allows visitors to see the minute details of your products. It attempts to replace the touch and feel of high street shopping. |
| Feature | Navigation |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Clear and accessible navigation will be available from all pages. Breadcrumbs and universal menu icons should be used. |
| Feature | Payment gateway |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Provides a secure and intuitive interface for payment. |
| Feature | Customer reviews |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Allows prospective customers to read about the experience of past buyers. Positive reviews can help sales. |
| Feature | Social media integration |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Allows shoppers to share their purchases with others via social media. |