How to Design a Clothes Website
Whether you're selling clothing, or are just a fashionista, there are common factors to keep in mind when building a website about apparel. Fashion lovers are looking for informative content in an easy-to-navigate setting, and they will remain loyal to sites that deliver on both counts. Read this guide for simple tips pertaining to clothing websites.
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Instructions
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Keep content objective, descriptive and detailed. Avoid editorializing if at all possible, unless the content is opinion-driven. Because readers aren't there experiencing the textiles with you, use words to bring them into the experience. Make the garment come alive through language.
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Use the best pictures possible, but keep them reasonably sized. Though it may seem that most households have broadband access, that's not the case; according to marketer Michael Bloch, 20% of Internet users in the United States are still on dial-up. These users won't be back if your site loads slowly because of huge pics.
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Pick a demographic and stick to it. If you're aiming for plus-size ladies, then fill the site with information about plus-size clothing. Don't attempt to please everyone and spread out over too much real estate. The key to building good return visits is to develop content in one solid niche.
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Make sure that the graphics and fonts are stylish. There's nothing that's more of a fashion turn-off than a site that's not in style. People want to be dazzled by the people they look to for advice or product. If a site is filled with default fonts, rough-quality clip art and elementary HTML, visitors will wonder about the quality of not only the designer, but also the content producer. If you're really programming challenged, sites like Template Monster carry premade templates that are reasonably priced.
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Link to other fashion sites and build positive relationships with other online producers. Not only will this increase your web traffic, but it will also probably give you tips about trends, shows and emerging designers.
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Keyword well to make advertising work. Content should include lots of words that pertain heavily to clothing. This sounds logical, but many people end up emphasizing words that have little to do with fashion. This, in turn, produces ads that talk about sleeping aids and dog walking services, not apparel. Check resources for keyword analysis tools.
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Make navigation clear and intuitive. When you're looking for clothing information, or a product, it can be annoying to encounter whimsical terms in the site map or categories. Stick to using terms like shirts, blouses, pants, etc.
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If this is a sales website, include international size charts for the particular fit category you're specializing in. Sizing is crucial to making sales, and clear guidelines eliminate much of the guesswork of ecommerce buying.
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Include a blog that discusses clothing and trends. Blogs are terrific for driving web traffic, since search engines love the fresh content. However, it's necessary to update blogs at least three times a week to really benefit.
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Resources
- Photo Credit 2007 clared / Creative Commons
