In online shopping, a great user experience can make or break an eCommerce business. You may have experienced this–you browsed a website that was so fast, easy to navigate and good looking that you made a purchase without thinking twice. On the other hand, you visited a website that had poor design and difficult navigation, which led to frustration and made you just exit immediately.
That’s where UI/UX designers come in. A skilled eCommerce UI/UX designer knows how to create websites that attract users and drive sales. But how to find a UI/UX designer for an eCommerce website? Let’s explore it in this article.
Where to Find a UI/UX Designer for an eCommerce Website
Finding the right UI/UX designer is key to building an eCommerce website that stands out. Whether you’re looking for someone to create an intuitive shopping experience or bring your design vision to life, there are several places where you can find talented UI/UX designers:
1) Freelance Platforms
Freelance platforms are great for finding UI/UX designers. They give you the flexibility to hire based on your distinct needs. Here are some popular platforms:
Upwork
Upwork is one of the biggest freelance marketplaces out there. You will find a wide range of UI/UX designers with different experience levels. You can browse portfolios, read client feedback and even interview potential designers to ensure they are a good fit for your needs. Upwork is great for finding both budget-friendly freelancers and more experienced professionals.
Toptal
Toptal is known for its network of top freelancers. They screen designers thoroughly, so you’re guaranteed to find someone highly skilled. Toptal’s designers are on the higher end of the pricing scale. Their expertise is worth the investment, especially for more complex eCommerce projects.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a platform for hiring freelancers at various price points, starting as low as $10. It’s a good option if you have a smaller budget. Just remember that the quality of work can depend on the price you pay. However, if you’re looking for something simple or need a quick design task completed, Fiverr can be a good choice.
99designs
99designs is a design-specific platform where you can hire a designer directly or run a design contest to receive multiple submissions. This is perfect if you’re not sure about what exactly you’re looking for and want to see different styles before committing to one designer.
2) Design Communities
Design communities are another great place to find creative UI/UX designers. These platforms allow designers to showcase their work, making it easier for you to browse portfolios and get in touch with designers who match your style and needs.
Behance
Behance is Adobe’s creative platform where designers from display their portfolios. It’s a great place to find both up-and-coming talent and experienced designers. You can filter by project type, such as eCommerce, and directly contact designers whose style aligns with your goal.
Dribbble
Dribbble is another community where designers post their work. It’s known for high-quality design inspiration and makes it easy to find UI/UX designers with experience in eCommerce. Many professionals on Dribbble also take freelance work or full-time positions.
LinkedIn can help you find eCommerce UI/UX designers and it’s actually a great resource. Many designers showcase their portfolios and share insights into design trends here. You can message designers directly and even check out recommendations from their past clients or colleagues, making it easier to decide who to reach out to.
3) Design Agencies and B2B Platforms
If you have a bigger budget or want a full-service solution, working with a design agency might be the best way to go. They have a team of designers and developers who can take care of everything, from research to the final design and development of your website. This option is perfect if you’re looking to build a custom eCommerce website design from scratch.
You can also explore B2B platforms for hiring designers. They connect small and medium-sized businesses with agencies.
Clutch
Clutch is a platform where you can find agencies with verified client reviews. It’s a good place to find experienced designers, particularly if you’re aiming for a long-term partnership or an agency with extensive eCommerce experience.
Hapy Design
Hapy Design is a subscription-based design agency that focuses on UI/UX design. We help businesses create beautiful and functional websites that improve the shopping experience. Our team understands the unique challenges of eCommerce and has a proven track record of designing successful eCommerce websites.
Ready to build a next-level eCommerce store? Contact us today
Understanding the Role of UI/UX in eCommerce
Before starting the search for a UI/UX designer, it’s important to understand the roles of UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) in the context of eCommerce.
User Interface (UI) Design for eCommerce
UI design focuses on the visual aspect of a website or app. Like buttons, images, icons, fonts, colors and layout.
When it comes to eCommerce website UI design, a clean and attractive layout is the key. Every aspect of the interface should guide the customers through the shopping experience, from browsing products to completing a purchase. If the interface is cluttered or confusing, customers are likely to leave before checking out.
In short, UI design is responsible for your website’s appearance, interactivity, usability and overall feel.
User Experience (UX) Design for eCommerce
UX design goes a bit deeper. It’s about how users interact with your website and how they feel during that process.
For eCommerce websites, the goal is to create a seamless shopping journey. That means easy navigation, fast loading times, clear product descriptions and an easy checkout process.
A good eCommerce UX design guarantees that users can find what they’re looking for quickly, without getting lost or frustrated.
Skills and Qualities to Look for in a UI/UX Designer
So what are the skills that make a UI/UX designer the perfect fit, especially for an eCommerce website? Here are some must-have skills and traits to look out for:
1) Technical Skills
A good UI/UX designer will be proficient in design tools such as Figma, Adobe XD and Sketch. They should also know how to create wireframes and prototypes, which are essential for visualizing the layout and flow of your eCommerce site before diving into development.
Familiarity with eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Squarespace and Wix etc is also important. This ensures they understand the unique challenges and requirements of eCommerce design, such as product displays and payment gateways.
2) User-Centered Approach
At the core of eCommerce website design is the user. The designer should have a thorough understanding of the customer journey and how to meet their needs. This involves conducting user research to identify pain points and testing designs with real users to see how they interact with the site. The best designers don’t just focus on making a website look good—they focus on how it works for the customer.
3) Responsive and Mobile-First Design
With so many people shopping on their phones, your eCommerce site needs to be fully responsive. This means it should look and work well on screens of all sizes, from desktop computers to mobile phones.
A skilled designer will understand the importance of UI design for eCommerce apps and mobile-friendly websites. They’ll make sure that users can easily browse products and complete purchases, whether they’re using a laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Read about: How to make your website mobile-friendly
4) eCommerce-Specific Experience
Not all UI/UX designers have experience working on eCommerce websites. So this is something you should look for specifically. A designer who has worked on eCommerce projects will have a good grasp of what makes a shopping experience enjoyable.
For example, they’ll know how to design product pages that highlight key features, create intuitive product filters and optimize the checkout process to reduce cart abandonment.
How to Evaluate a UI/UX Designer’s Fit for Your eCommerce Website
Once you’ve found a few potential designers, how do you evaluate if they’re the right fit for your project? Here’s what to keep in mind:
1) Check Their Portfolio
The first thing you’ll want to do is review the designer’s portfolio. Look for examples of eCommerce websites they’ve designed in the past. Pay attention to how the designs guide users through the shopping experience. Are product pages well-organized? Is the checkout process streamlined? These are important aspects of a successful eCommerce website UI UX design.
2) Review Client Feedback
Client reviews are another useful resource. Check to see if previous clients were happy with the designer’s work. Did the design improve conversion rates, customer engagement or sales? Positive feedback from eCommerce projects is a good sign that the designer understands how to create a user-friendly shopping experience.
3) Ask About Their Design Process
A great designer should have a structured approach to the design process. Ask them how they approach an eCommerce project. Do they start with user research? How do they create wireframes and prototypes? Do they test the design with real users before launching? Their answers will give you an idea about how they’ll handle your project.
4) Test Their Problem-Solving Skills
eCommerce websites come with their own set of challenges, such as optimizing product pages, creating intuitive navigation and simplifying the checkout process. Ask the designer how they would solve common eCommerce problems like reducing cart abandonment or improving mobile performance. Their response will show how they approach user-centered design and whether they have the right mindset for your project.
Read about: How to choose a web design company
Cost of Hiring a UI/UX Designer
The cost of hiring a UI/UX designer for your eCommerce website can vary depending on several factors, such as experience, location and project complexity. Here’s a breakdown:
Freelancers vs. Agencies
Freelancers tend to be more affordable than agencies, especially for small-to-medium-sized projects. You might pay anywhere from $30 to $200 per hour for a freelancer, depending on their experience. Agencies, on the other hand, typically charge higher rates but offer a more comprehensive service. This is ideal for larger, more complex projects.
Full-Time vs. Project-Based
If you’re looking to build a long-term relationship with a designer, hiring someone full-time might be the way to go. According to current market trends, the UI/UX designer salary per month can range from $4,000 to $10,000, depending on experience and location. However, if you only need someone for a specific project, a freelance or contract designer will be more cost-effective.
Important Questions to Ask a UI/UX Designer
To make sure you’re hiring the right person, ask these essential questions during the interview process:
- How do you approach eCommerce UX design?
This will give you insight into their design process and whether they understand the unique needs of eCommerce websites. - Can you share examples of eCommerce websites you’ve designed?
A good designer should be able to show you past work that demonstrates their skills and experience in eCommerce. - What’s your experience with responsive design?
Since most eCommerce shoppers browse on mobile devices, your designer must know how to create a mobile-friendly website. - How much do you charge for an eCommerce project like mine?
Be clear about your budget and ask for an estimate based on the complexity of your project.
Conclusion
Finding the right UI/UX designer for your eCommerce website is a vital step in building a successful online store. A well-designed user interface and seamless user experience can make a huge difference in customer satisfaction and sales. Whether you choose to hire a freelancer, agency, or full-time designer, make sure to evaluate their skills, experience and portfolio carefully.
Now that you have the essential knowledge to start your search, it’s time to find a designer who can take your eCommerce website to the next level. Happy hunting!
FAQs
How much does a UI/UX designer cost for an eCommerce project?
For a full eCommerce design project, you could expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the scope and complexity of the site. Keep in mind that this is a fruitful investment. Well-designed eCommerce websites tend to have higher conversion rates, which can significantly boost your sales in the long run.
What does a UI/UX designer do?
A UI/UX designer creates a seamless experience for users by focusing on two key areas: UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience). UI designers handle the visual elements like buttons, fonts and layout. UX designers ensure the website is easy to use and meets the needs of the users. Together, they design a site that looks good and works smoothly, making browsing and shopping online more enjoyable.
What are the best platforms to find UI/UX designers for eCommerce websites?
You can find great UI/UX designers on Upwork or Fiverr if you’re looking for something budget-friendly. For top talent, try Toptal. Behance and Dribble are perfect if you want to browse portfolios and see the designer’s style. LinkedIn is also great for finding designers with recommendations, and Clutch is useful for discovering agencies that specialize in eCommerce.
What is an eCommerce designer?
An eCommerce designer focuses on creating user-friendly online stores. They handle both UI and UX design to make sure the website looks great, is easy to navigate and helps customers find what they need quickly and easily.