Everything you need to know about UX/UI design for your Shopify store

The topic of UX/UI design is very often underestimated by store owners when it comes to the success of their own online presence. Yet a user-friendly design has a significant impact on the shopping experience and conversion rate and increases customer loyalty. In the article, we go into more detail about the importance and differences between UI/UX design, give tips on how to implement it in the Shopify store, and take a look at current trends in UX and UI design.

What is UI/UX design?

What is UX design?

UX design stands for user experience design and refers to the conception and design of optimal user experiences. The goal of UX design is to design a store so that it is intuitive, appealing and easy to use for the user. Before starting the design process, an analysis of potential users' perceptions, needs, opinions, and habits is performed, which is called the User Research phase. This phase is crucial as it forms the basis for designing the optimal user journey that meets all the needs and expectations of a user.

The focus of UX design is on good usability and a positive user experience before, during and after using the application. In this regard, the success of UX design is based on a deep understanding of the needs and expectations of future users. This ability to empathize with users and understand their expectations is essential to create an optimal user experience.

What is UI design?

UI design, or user interface design, is an important part of any digital application, be it the store, website or app. It encompasses the visual design of the application and plays a significant role in user satisfaction. UI design is directly related to UX design, as it translates the considerations from UX design into a visual image. It is particularly important that the UI design provides a clear communication of the brand message and the goal of the application.

A successful UI design is characterized by intuitive usability, a visually appealing design, and a consistent design across all channels. The goal is to ensure that the user is optimally guided through the application and can perform desired actions with as little effort as possible.

Difference UI and UX design

UX and UI design are closely linked and should always be considered together. They are mutually dependent and can only provide an optimal user experience if they work closely together. We have summarized the differences between the two in the following table.

Why is UX and UI design important for Shopify stores?

UX and UI design are indispensable components for the development of a successful e-commerce presence. Together, they are responsible for user engagement with a brand and its applications. In this context, the quality of UI and UX design has a direct influence on brand perception and the emotions that an application evokes in the user.

In short, a successful UI and UX design helps to attract new customers and to bind them to the brand in the long term. It sets your own company apart from the competition and should therefore always be the focus of store owners. Feel free to get expertise on board for this. Because if the UX and UI design is not mature, in the most unfortunate case this will lead to potential customers leaving.

UX Design Shopify: How to implement UX/UI design in Shopify stores?

Shopify already brings a solid base of features that are important for an optimal user experience in e-commerce. These include:

• a customized navigation

• Search and filter functions

• payment interfaces with popular service providers

• a customizable check-out area (possible from the Shopify Plus plan)

• the ability to customize all pages (static pages, product pages, blog pages)

• and fast loading times.

The results of the initial user research phase are now used to select the appropriate Shopify theme and the respective Shopify apps from a UX design perspective. In addition, further settings are made in the Shopify backend (for example, for payment methods), which form the basis for a good user experience. Navigation and considerations for specific filter and search functions are also thought through and implemented in this phase.

The UI design starts after that, with the customization of the theme as well as the creation and editing of the individual store, category and product detail pages to ensure the optimal user experience. In this phase, visual design and conveying the brand message play a major role. The use of call-to-actions and their implementation also come into play here.

To conclude, UX and UI design can be limited by the Shopify framework, for example, by the features of the chosen theme. Here we support with Latori in the development and extension of themes and apps, which provide for an optimal UX and UI design.

Current trends in UX and UI design for online stores

When designing your Shopify store, it is important to keep current trends in mind. However, the target group should always be taken into account to ensure that it is also addressed. For new trends that have not yet been tested much, it is advisable to first rely on proven elements or test them through A/B tests. In the following, we briefly present the 5 most exciting trends in UX and UI design:

Innovative scrolling

One trend that is currently particularly widespread is so-called innovative scrolling, in which actions are triggered by special scroll effects. For example, a downward movement causes elements to move sideways, animations to be executed, or new elements to appear.

Latori customer B.O.C. also relies on this trend. If you scroll further in the Topseller Child Seats section, you can browse through the products displayed.

Our case study on B.O.C shows how we supported B.O.C in their project.

Storytelling

Storytelling uses UX/UI design to create unique and memorable experiences in the online store. These primarily reflect the brand's personality and lead to an increase in dwell time. Through the special brand experience, users interact more with the online presence and the connection to the brand is strengthened.

Latori customer Charme du Cheval, a family-run company, knows how important brand loyalty is. That's why they make sure customers can identify with the brand and the brand message right on the homepage.

Charme du Cheval also implements another trend here: Motion Design. With the help of an animation, they direct customers to their brand message.

Motion Design

Motion design is an important aspect of UX/UI design, as it can help draw users' attention to specific elements of the online store. Animations can be used to create smooth transitions to specific user actions. However, exaggerated or unnecessary animations should not be used, as this can quickly be perceived as distracting.

Microinteractions

Microinteractions are small, targeted animations or responsive elements in a user interface that serve to improve the user experience and make certain actions or processes on a website more intuitive and appealing. In online stores, microinteractions play an important role in making navigation, the shopping process and interaction with products more pleasant.

Virtual and Augmented Reality

The use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is particularly useful for physical elements that are usually sold in brick-and-mortar stores. This also gives users the opportunity to view products in their own environment and a real size ratio when shopping online. This not only leads to a better understanding of the product, but also facilitates the purchase decision. Shopify already comes with AR functionalities out of the box.

Voice User Interface (VUI)

Voice User Interface (VUI) is an interface that allows users to interact with a computer system via spoken language. In the context of online stores, VUI provides an alternative method of navigation and interaction where users can use spoken commands and requests to find products, retrieve information or make purchases.

Brutalism

The Brutalism design trend focuses on a few design elements. Here, style elements are deliberately omitted and typically only the contrast between black and white is used. In this way, the pure functionality is emphasized. Due to its rebellious and youthful effect, this style appeals especially to the younger target group.

Dark mode

Dark mode for online stores is a design option where the background colors are dark or black, while the text and other elements appear in lighter colors. In contrast to the standard light mode, the dark mode offers a variety of advantages and has gained popularity in recent years. For example, dark mode reduces eye strain and offers an appealing visual aesthetic. The Latori website also uses this feature!

Conclusion

UX and UI design play an important role in the success of an online store. This is because a careful design of the user interface ensures a smooth shopping experience. A well thought-out design also helps increase the time customers spend on the site, boost conversion rates, and ultimately maximize sales. In other words, a well-designed online store can make the difference over the competition.