UK eCommerce Website Design Trends 2023

Commerce is constantly evolving. In this article, we’ll examine 5 crucial commerce trends that should be on your radar for 2023 if you are looking to attract UK shoppers with your online store.

The UK is a mature market with tech and fashion savvy shoppers

The UK has the most mature e-commerce market in Europe, with an estimated 60 million users expected in 2022. Online shopping has become the norm for consumers in the UK, with ample data to support this trend.

The UK’s retail sector leads the way in Europe, with online sales accounting for nearly 30% of all retail sales in the country in 2021, more than double the amount from a decade earlier. Fashion is the strongest segment in online retailing, expected to generate the most revenue annually by 2025. Government figures show that over 25% of sales from textile, clothing and footwear stores come from online channels, with consumer electronics as the next highest-grossing category. Amazon is the leading online consumer electronics store in the UK.

1. Mobile-first design

Mobile commerce is bigger than ever. In 2021 retail sales from mobile devices amounted to 60% of total online sales in the UK. In 2019, UK m-commerce was valued at £50 billion, and it is expected to more than double to £105 billion by 2024. (Statista)

Desktop traffic is traditionally seen as slightly more lucrative, as it results in higher conversion rates and average order values. However, as more and more shoppers use their phones to browse and make purchases online, it’s essential to prioritise mobile-friendliness in your website design. This means designing for small screens, using responsive layouts and providing easy navigation and checkout on mobile devices. A recent 2022 survey by Statista indicated that smartphones were the favored shopping device, preferred by seven in ten Britts.

Have you considered a PWA mobile app for your brand? The statistics are showing a large increase in branded app usage, too. In 2022, ASDA’s rewards app was the most downloaded Android app in the UK.

2. Personalisation

Personalisation is becoming increasingly important as consumers expect a tailored and seamless shopping experience. Using machine learning algorithms and other technologies, businesses can deliver personalised recommendations, content, and offers to individual customers based on their interests and past purchases.

3. Minimalist design

Simplicity and minimalism are still in style in e-commerce website design. By focusing on clean and uncluttered layouts, you can help customers find what they’re looking for more easily and reduce distractions.

4. Immersive product presentations

With more businesses turning to e-commerce, it’s important to stand out from the competition. One way to do this is by using high-quality product images and videos, as well as 360-degree product views and other immersive presentation techniques.

5. Interactive elements

Adding interactive elements, such as quizzes, polls and games, can help keep customers engaged and increase conversions.