E-commerce Website Checklist: What Every Online Store Needs

Launching an online store involves more moving parts than a standard website. Here's what to check off before you go live:

Product pages:

• Clear, high-quality photos from multiple angles
• Honest, detailed descriptions (size, materials, what's included)
• Visible pricing in ZAR, including any shipping costs

Checkout and payments:

• A secure, trusted South African payment gateway (PayFast, Yoco, or similar)
• Multiple payment options where possible (card, EFT)
• A checkout process with as few steps as possible — every extra step loses customers

Shipping and delivery:

• Clear delivery timeframes and costs shown before checkout
• Options for local pickup if applicable
• A simple returns/refund policy, clearly stated

Trust signals:

• Customer reviews or testimonials
• Contact information and a real physical address
• SSL security (the padlock icon in the browser)

Legal basics:

• Terms and conditions
• A privacy policy
• Clear return/exchange policy

Skipping any of these doesn't just look unprofessional — it directly costs you sales at checkout, where most online shoppers abandon carts over unclear pricing or a lack of trust.

Ready to launch your online store?