Whether for correction, protection, or fashion, eyewear has become a hot commodity for most consumers. As a result, the global eyewear market has seen its most recent valuation exceed $180 billion. This value is expected to continue growing at a rate of 8.5% every year until 2030. According to reports, one of the biggest factors for this growth is the rise of e-commerce. Consider that on WordPress’ open-source e-commerce plugin WooCommerce alone, there are already over four million stores active today.
That said, eyewear e-commerce, specifically, is still a relatively young sector, having only really picked up speed after 2020. As such, there are still some consumer pain points that must be addressed when building your own eyewear e-commerce website using WordPress. To that end, here are a few key components that will ensure customer engagement and satisfaction.
CMS Platform
A major point of concern for many online shoppers is the availability of relevant information. In line with this, a Pro Profs survey revealed that up to 43% of e-commerce patrons find it important to be able to research relevant data online. Without this, many shoppers are left uncertain about whether or not a particular product is right for them. This is especially true in eyewear, where most shoppers are considering several factors, like fit, style, and prescription. In many cases, shoppers who find that your site lacks data will just take their business elsewhere. To prevent this, make use of a CMS (Content Management System) platform, like the Sales Layer Microsite plugin.
This software application lets you create, modify, and manage content on your site without specialist intervention. For your eyewear e-commerce website, this means you can easily do things like update your listings and organize your catalog. With these, your site can emulate top eyewear retailers like Glasses.com. A prime resource for glasses online, this site features an easy-to-navigate interface where critical data is frontloaded. For instance, shoppers looking for prescription specs can utilize category filters for things like brands, bestsellers, sustainable frames, and more to streamline the shopping process. FAQs are also included on most pages. All these info offerings are especially valuable in eyewear, where most shoppers are considering several factors, like fit, style, make, and prescription.
Virtual Try-On
A Signs.com survey of adult shoppers found that up to 50% said they wanted to try on an item before purchasing it. For several years, this was nearly impossible for online shoppers unless they wanted to risk purchasing their item ahead of time and then returning it if they were unhappy later. This is where virtual try-on innovations, like the SpecFit Virtual Try-on plugin, play a crucial role. By using augmented reality (AR) technology, a site can overlay a specific product to scale over the customer’s image. This then allows the consumer to see how something will look on them in real-time.
For your eyewear e-commerce site, having this kind of virtual try-on tech is helpful since it will help people determine what style they feel the most comfortable and confident in. Since shades and specs are often designed with specific face shapes and features in mind, being able to try them on before making any commitment helps improve customer satisfaction. At the same time, this reduces the risk of you taking on a potentially costly return, refund, or exchange. This is why big-name eyewear providers, like Walmart Vision, are making use of this tech, too. In its virtual optical stores, Walmart offers AR experiences to help customers make more visually informed decisions.
Chatbox Services
Cart abandonment is an issue for many e-commerce sites, given how exacting and quick to leave online shoppers are. Among the top reasons for abandonment today is lackluster customer support. Storyly explains that shoppers are more likely to lose interest in a product when they cannot get any timely customer service that would otherwise help clarify any concerns or queries. So, instead of just offering contact information that requires customers to email, call, or text and then wait for a reply, it’s best to offer them real-time support.
Among the most efficient ways to do this is via chatbox services, including the Olark Live Chat plugin. These help improve site functionality by interacting with customers in a more natural and immersive way. Additionally, they help provide more in-depth and specific responses. In eyewear e-commerce, having such chat services can help clarify any confusion that may arise from more complex factors relating to insurance, prescriptions, and the like. For instance, eyewear manufacturer Warby Parker has a live chat feature from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, which helps customer assurance.
