What makes a good online store?

[Bam!ChairDance]

****, man, I didn't notice the skin seepage until you pointed it out. Now, as you can imagine, it's all I see.

 

[APK]

- Multiple clear photos
- Good descriptions
- Measurements
- The measurements of the model (if applicable)
- Regularly updated stock
- Quick, reliable customer service
- Simple, yet interesting interface
- Good grammar

Maybe I'm just a stickler for that last one because I'm an English major, but shoddy grammar or spelling just screams "unprofessional."

 

[slappysloopy]

Measurements are key as well as measurements of the model. Revolve's free shipping both ways is also a nice perk.

 

[Curious_George]

With the exception of Selfedge and BiG I can't think of any other American based online stores that don't annoy me some. I think oipolloi's site is quite good overall (I love a lot of the stuff they carry but their selection is often limited). My favorite online store I can't order from is probably Hinoya because of their selection and their detailed information for each item. When it comes to purchasing clothes online I want pictures (lots), measurements, and detailed descriptions (most American/European online stores fail completely in this area compared to Japanese shops). Half the time if it's an item also available in Japan I end up searching through their online shops to better determine what it looks like/how it fits because I'm not satisfied with the information available from other online stores.

 

[XenoX101]

Measurements for all sizes, clear photos of what you are getting, consistent arrivals of new stock, competitive pricing, models that don't look like douches/wear the clothing wrong/ill-fittingly.

Hate:
clicking next to go to the next 10 items
photos that are clearly photoshopped / altered unfaithfully (got a grey pair of jeans that looked cream on revolve)
delayed payment withdrawal (revolve likes to do this, took out money thinking they'd taken the money out since I bought the item a few days ago, a week later they take the money out and put my account into debt aaargh)
clothing that is modified/tailored/etc. for the model, ugh (j.crew cough)
cluttered websites with fifty billion sales and an unorganized catalogue
misleading descriptions (yoox)

If you know what the customer wants/likes and have a good understanding of fashion and business, you can go very far.

 

[wiru]

I wish more (any) sites listed neck measurements on shirts. Very useful info.

 

[DocHunter]

Originally Posted by kiya

This thread is making me feel better about our online store at Self Edge.
I don't think there is any other online store in the world that has as many measurements, specs, info, and photos on every single jean (and more shirts) in the online store.
I sometimes think our store is a bit over the top with the information on every product page..


You guys do an excellent job with the measurements.

 

[FiveFiveFive]

Should add that "good photos" means more than big, clear images. It also means the models look good in the clothes and that they are wearing the right size.

When it comes down to it, though, people are gonna hunt for the best price. Bad pictures and a lack of accurate measurements might lead people to search for the desired items on different Web sites, but they'll come back if the price is unbeatable.

 

[wmmk]

Bluemagic, if you're talking about opening a clothing store, I'm hella excited. I hope you'll be selling clothes that fit into that aesthetic that you and PinkPantser do so well...

Anyway, I agree that it's nice to have models on whom the clothes look good, but I think it's distracting to have models who could essentially look good in anything. I think that Context does a good job of picking models who fit into their clothes, but also aren't built too differently from your average SW&D poster. Measurements are also key.

 

[Lysol]

Go to www.oipolloi.com. Copy everything that they do. If they were based in the states, I would order from them weekly. I also enjoy Self Edge's website and service though I've never bought anything other than a bracelet. Accurate actual measurements, for all sizes that you carry, and free shipping are really what I appreciate most. I hate paying for shipping. Mark everything up an extra $5 and offer free shipping and I'll be happy. I'm stupid like that. Perception is king. Oh and I'm a huge fan of well curated stores, online or not. The thing that sets stores like Nom de Guerre, Odin, and Steven Alan and online stores like BiG, Self Edge, and Oi Polloi apart from the rest for me is that I know that I can trust their taste. I rarely ever go to somewhere like Revolve or Barney's unless they're having a sale because I don't want to sift through pages and pages of Ed Hardy and Theory to get to the good stuff. You'd be surprised how easy it is to separate a customer from their money when they 'feeling it.'

Originally Posted by FiveFiveFive

they'll come back if the price is unbeatable.
I love a deal as much as the next guy but business rule #1: never, never, never win on price. Have a sick, well curated store and I'll gladly pay a premium and will be happy that you'll be in business for a long time to come.

 

[Epaulet]

IMO, these are the elements for successful online sales (in order of importance)

1. Exclusive product that other competitors don't have
2. Cheaper prices or package deals
3. Great customer service
4. A clean and slick interface

Ebay is a great example of this. A terrible listing shot with a cell phone camera of something that everyone wants - or something desirable that's REALLY cheap - will always sell.

One of my favorite online clothing stores is Context. It's well-edited, intelligent, has frequent updates, keeps fair prices, and doesn't kill you with markup or crazy discounts. Their presentation is solid and professional while still looking humble and accessible. I felt very good buying from them and supporting what they do. I dig Self Edge too!

 

[ctrlaltelite]

occasional promo codes can't hurt.

 

[bluemagic]

Originally Posted by APK

- Multiple clear photos
- Good descriptions
- Measurements
- The measurements of the model (if applicable)
- Regularly updated stock
- Quick, reliable customer service
- Simple, yet interesting interface
- Good grammar

Maybe I'm just a stickler for that last one because I'm an English major, but shoddy grammar or spelling just screams "unprofessional."

What makes an interface interesting?

 

[jim_n]

- fast shipping/free shipping
- reasonable prices
- freshness

 

[APK]

Originally Posted by bluemagic

What makes an interface interesting?

I think the best Web sites in terms of form and function are the ones that are simple and clean, yet don't look like anyone could design them. Context is a good example of this. There isn't a whole lot in the site's interface that makes you go "wow" upon first visit. But there's a lot to appreciate if you stop and think about its design. It's clean and basic, yet it doesn't look like some AOL homepage from the late '90s.

By the same token, I hate, hate, hate Web sites that have lots of bells and whistles. I'm not at these sites to be entertained by someone's Flash abilities.