E-commerce interface design parameters and their relation to website popularity

Abstract

E-commerce is becoming increasingly familiar across industries. Customers find it easier to browse and purchase items and services online than by visiting the traditional bricks-and-mortar stores. This allows the customers and firms to save money and generate business faster. The main challenge of e-commerce is acquiring and maintaining good customer relations and trust because the customer only interacts with an electronic interface. Therefore the interface and its design is very important for businesses. This dissertation considers various website interface design parameters and determines whether a relationship between the parameters and the popularity of the website exists. The research methodology utilised is a statistical analysis of a survey of high, medium and low popularity websites and the interface parameters. The e-commerce websites explored fall into the clothing, consumer electronics, and health sectors. The researcher will also discuss the design parameters employed by popular websites.