We composed this checklist based on our personal experience, analysis of the leading online store’s activities and a massive amount of data we processed. You can use the checklist to develop new projects and enhance the current ones. We are confident that this checklist will help you identify both the weak and growing areas of your online store.
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Outline
Primary catalog checklist |
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1
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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2
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A page title correctly generated |
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3
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Level one nesting: the list of primary Catalog sections with product numbers displayed (product counter) for each category. |
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4
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Level two nesting (level three is the limit): product matrix is present |
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5
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Level two nesting (level three is the limit): Next level nesting categories are listed, and product numbers displayed for each category. |
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6
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Level two nesting (level three is the limit): The product filter is present. |
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7
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Level two nesting (level three is the limit): product sorting tools are in place. |
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8
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The rest of the catalog nestings operate correctly. |
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9
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Links (slugs) and pages based on the semantic core (keyword research) |
Products catalog checklist |
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10
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Product matrix |
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11
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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12
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A page title correctly generated |
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13
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100% of products accompanied by photos |
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14
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Article code or item number is visible in the preview |
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15
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Product status is displayed: in stock, on demand, etc |
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16
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Tag shortcuts like “New!”, “Top Seller,” “Sale” are present |
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17
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“Compare” function is in place |
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18
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“Compare” icon/button switches to active state once clicked |
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19
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“Add to Cart” button is present |
Discount products checklist |
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20
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The preview shows the new price and the old price is crossed out |
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21
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Both the amount of discount and amount of money Saved (highlighted in red) displayed on the side. |
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22
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Necessary tags and labels are present: “On Sale,” “Special Offers, etc |
Product sorting checklist |
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23
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At least two view modes are implemented: tiles and list |
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24
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An option to choose product amount displayed (10/20/30) is present |
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25
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“Sort by price” implemented |
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26
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“Sort by recommended” implemented |
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27
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“Sort by popular” implemented |
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28
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Page to page navigation implemented |
Filters checklist |
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29
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Product filter is present |
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30
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Products are filtered correctly |
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31
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CNC in the address bar contains no additional parameters, if the product filter was not applied |
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32
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All the filter parameters remain as set regardless of transitions between catalog and product pages (back and forth) |
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33
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Reset filter button works correctly |
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34
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Pages with a filter applied are inaccessible for indexing to robots.txt |
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35
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Pages with no filter used are open for indexing (including page by page navigation) |
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36
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Preloader for selection update implemented |
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37
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Preloader for filter parameters update implemented |
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38
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“Apply filter” button is easily distinguishable |
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39
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“Show” button is displayed once filtering parameters have changed |
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40
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Precalculation of the number of items found is implemented and works correctly |
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41
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Breadcrumbs allow going back from product page to catalog with previously set product filter |
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42
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Breadcrumbs on product page view formed according to filter settings |
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43
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Selected filtering settings appear as a checklist and allow to reset any parameter to the default |
Add to cart on product pages checklist |
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44
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Every item can be added to cart correctly |
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45
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A confirmation window appears after the item added to cart |
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46
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Count of products in the cart changes in the “cart block” after a new item added |
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47
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A page does not refresh after an item added |
Product page checklist |
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48
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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49
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A page title correctly generated |
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50
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There are no distracting elements in the product card (news, new products, etc.) |
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51
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A high-quality photo of a product is present |
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52
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Additional images of a product present |
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53
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Zoom option is available for product photos |
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54
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3D view option implemented for product imaging |
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55
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A video review of a product is present |
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56
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Information about a product is displayed correctly |
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57
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Product description text is at least 90% original and unique |
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58
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Necessary tags and labels are at place: “On Sale,” “Top Seller,” “Latest Offer,” etc |
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59
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Products can be added to comparison list |
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60
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Products can be added to favorites |
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61
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“Add to Cart” button is present |
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62
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The one-click-purchase button is present |
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63
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“Add to Cart” buttons are displayed on the first screen right away — no need to scroll down |
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64
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Article code or item number is shown in the product card |
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65
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Product status is displayed: in stock, on demand, etc |
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66
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Information about the number of items in stock is available |
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67
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“Rate product” option is available |
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68
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Customers can leave a review of a product |
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69
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Delivery service details are available |
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70
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Delivery costs calculated automatically on the product page |
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71
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Product pages contain a clients’ rating of delivery services |
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72
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Detailed information on customer pick-up is available (including a list of pick-up points) |
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73
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Payments methods information is available |
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74
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Warranty information is available |
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75
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Product recommendations block implemented |
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76
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Recommendations block is displayed based on a user’s behavior on your website |
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77
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Upsell block is present: “people also buy” (accompanying products) |
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78
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Products can be bought in packages (buy a package of products and receive a discount) |
Internal promo checklist |
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79
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Toolkit for promos implemented (e.g., DFP from Google) |
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80
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Both products & landing pages can be featured |
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81
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Internal ad placements do not break mobile (responsive) version |
Add to cart on product pages checklist |
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82
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Customers can specify the number of items to add to cart |
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83
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The specified number of items is factored in during cart fill in |
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84
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Every product can be added to cart |
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85
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A confirmation window displayed after the item added |
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86
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Confirmation block contains an upsell block: “people also buy” (accompanying products) |
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87
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Items counter in the cart changes in the “cart block” after a new item added |
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88
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A page does not refresh after an item added |
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89
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“One-click-purchase” feature requires customers to only fill in their phone number, name and preferred call time. |
Product comparison checklist |
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90
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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91
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A page title generated correctly |
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92
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The list of items added is available |
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93
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On preview: item photo is available |
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94
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On preview: item name and article is available |
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95
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On preview: item price is visible |
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96
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On preview: if it is a discount product, it satisfies the discount products requirements |
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97
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On preview: product status is displayed (in stock [quantity], on demand, etc.) |
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98
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On preview: item can be added to favorites |
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99
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On preview: item can be removed from cart |
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100
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On preview: item can be added to cart |
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101
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The list of all item specifications displayed below the product |
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102
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Product (item) description is 70 or fewer symbols long |
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103
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Clicking “more” allows us to see full item description |
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104
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Horizontal scroll implemented if there are too many items to display |
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105
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“Compare” module: has a “clear list” feature |
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106
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“Compare” module: allows to sort items by all available parameters |
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107
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“Compare” module: allows to sort items only by parameters that differ |
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108
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A category choice is possible if there are products from different categories in the comparison module |
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109
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A list of all products relevant to a specific category once a category has been selected |
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110
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Preloader for selection update implemented |
Cart checklist |
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111
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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112
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Total order price calculated correctly |
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113
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“Quantity” text box input check implemented: number of digits, symbols, and letters |
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114
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Entering zero as input results in item removed from the cart with the following confirmation message |
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115
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Once the quantity of items changes, the total order price is recalculated |
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116
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A link back to catalog is available for customers |
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117
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“Checkout” button is present and clicking it results in a checkout page/popup display |
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118
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“Cart” block on the page is either absent or fully synced with all the data on the cart page |
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119
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All discounts are applied correctly |
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120
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“Discard item/product” elements are present and work correctly |
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121
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“The cart is empty” message is displayed if all the items discarded |
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122
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Item reservation feature is available for items in the cart |
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123
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A list of reserved items is available on the cart page. Items from the reserved list can be included in the customer’s order. |
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124
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“One-click-purchase” option is available |
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125
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Upsell block is present: “people also buy” (accompanying products) |
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126
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Different reception options are available — customer pick-up/delivery |
Checkout checklist |
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127
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Customers are not forced to register upon checkout stage |
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128
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Information about products and their quantity is displayed correctly |
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129
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The total order amount is displayed correctly |
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130
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“Cart block” is not displayed on checkout pages |
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131
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Check out pages contain no distractions: no news, no showcase blocks, videos or other products |
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132
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All checkout pages contain a proposition to help customers make a live order via a phone call with a return call feature |
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133
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All checkout pages have live support pop-up |
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134
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Checkout consists of 4 or fewer stages |
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135
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Each block (stage) of checkout is loaded once the previous one is complete |
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136
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All fill in forms function properly |
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137
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All forms are displayed in lines (one under another), not in columns |
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138
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Each field has a short clarification remark on its purpose |
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139
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There is an example of how to correctly fill it under each field |
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140
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All the required fields marked as mandatory (*) |
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141
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The number and order of checkout stages displayed on each checkout page. The current step of a user is also clearly indicated. |
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142
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“Checkout” button is always located to the right, while the opposite action is on the left |
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143
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“Next step button” consistently names the next stage (e.g. “continue to delivery options” or “next: delivery options”) |
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144
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The address field cleared upon selection of a new address |
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145
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The total amount correctly calculated considering the selected delivery method (delivery cost displayed above the total amount) |
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146
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The total amount correctly calculated considering the payment method (info displayed above total amount) |
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147
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Registered users have an autofill feature for all checkout forms, based on the info provided in their user accounts |
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148
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Contacts section contains a maximum of three fields: first name/last name, phone number, e-mail |
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149
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Account password is generated automatically and sent to the user after the checkout is complete |
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150
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An e-mail containing order details sent to the user upon checkout completion |
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151
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That letter designed following website style |
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152
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Once the order paid for, an administrator receives a corresponding letter |
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153
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The order automatically stored in the “History” section with correct status and information |
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154
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Administration panel receives all the data correctly (total amount, discounts, user remarks and notes, order contents) |
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155
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Cart not emptied if the checkout is interrupted |
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156
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A selected payment method executed |
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157
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Customers redirected to a page with brief information about their order and the further actions a store is bound to take |
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158
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Once checkout completed, the cart is automatically emptied |
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159
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“Thank You” page contains detailed information about an order (number, delivery date, delivery address, addresses, e-mail, phone number, delivery method, order contents) |
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160
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“Thank You” page contains a special block claiming “Join our community!” or “Subscribe to our newsletter.” |
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161
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Once the order stored in the system, a proper status is assigned: “payment pending” — for orders yet to be paid, “paid” — for finalized purchases |
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162
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An administrator can change the status of any order (payment, delivery, etc.) |
Search checklist |
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163
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Search hints and suggestions appear in the search text box on the input |
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164
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The search engine can identify and differentiate misprints, spelling mistakes, and wrong keyboard layouts |
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165
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Autofill and suggestion feature implemented in the process of query input |
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166
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The search feature is fully operational |
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167
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Breadcrumbs implemented on the search results page |
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168
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A page title generated correctly |
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169
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Additional information displayed: “X” items in “Y” categories found on query “Z.” |
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170
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Search filter tool is available |
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171
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The option to choose several products displayed (10/20/30/…)is available |
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172
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“Sort by price” is available |
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173
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“Sort by recommended” is available |
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174
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“Sort by popular” is available |
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175
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Page by page navigation is available |
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176
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If nothing found, a message is displayed: e.g. “Nothing found on query “Z.” Please, visit the main catalog page and try a manual search.” |
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177
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A list of exciting recommendations is also displayed on a search page if nothing found |
Header checklist (the area on top of a web page) |
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178
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A logo is present and linked to the main page |
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179
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A search bar is noticeable and visible |
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180
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Sign-in and sign-up options are present and unified |
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181
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Links to “Compare products” and “Favorites” are present |
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182
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There is a number indicating the number of items added near a link to each section |
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183
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Links to “Delivery” and “Payments” sections are present |
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184
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Links to “Order status” section are present |
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185
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Call-to-action phone number is listed: “Call Us!” (only one phone number and not a cellular number) |
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186
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A phone number for charge free calls is available |
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187
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“Call Back” link/button is present |
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188
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Upon clicking “Call Back” button a pop-up with name and phone number fields displayed |
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189
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“Cart” block exists in both states — empty and filled |
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190
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A drop-down catalog menu is present |
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191
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The menu is organized to make it possible for users to get to any category of a catalog |
| Footer checklist (bottom of a web page) | |
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192
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“About Us” block is present (about us, licenses and certificates, reviews, contacts, etc.) |
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193
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“For Customers”/”FAQ” blocks are present (delivery, payments, warranty, exchange/return, special offers, bonus programs, ordering) |
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194
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Call-to-action phone numbers are current: “Got questions? Ask us now!” [a maximum of two numbers] |
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195
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Links on communities on social networks are available |
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196
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Newsletter subscription form is available |
| User account checklist | |
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197
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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198
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A page title generated correctly |
Registration Checklist |
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199
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Contains a maximum of five fields: first name, last name, e-mail, password and password confirmation |
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200
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Users can authorize via social networks |
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201
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Means of accessing a newly created account sent via specified e-mail |
Sign-in checklist |
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202
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Contains a maximum of two fields: e-mail and password |
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203
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Users can authorize via social networks |
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204
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Password recovery link is available |
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205
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Upon clicking a fill-in form with an e-mail field pops-up |
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206
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Upon password recovery, a new password is automatically generated and sent via specified e-mail |
My orders checklist |
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207
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A list of all orders is available |
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208
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Orders can be sorted by columns: status, # of order, creation time, delivery method, the total amount |
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209
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You can see detailed information about an order once you click on it |
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210
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You can see current order in detail as well as the history of all previous ones |
Favorites checklist |
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211
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The list of items added is available |
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212
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Items contain… (article code/photo/item name/price/category) |
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213
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You can see detailed information about an order once you click on it |
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214
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“Add to Cart” button/link is present |
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215
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“Remove” button/link is present |
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216
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“Compare” button is present and leads to “Items Comparison” section with all the items from the list |
Personal information checklist |
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|
217
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The list of items added is available |
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218
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First name, last name, e-mail, phone number and password fields are present |
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219
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Phone number field already contains a template: e.g. (+1(___)___-____ ) |
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220
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Data in those fields is confirmed and saved upon clicking “Save” button |
Delivery details checklist |
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|
221
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“Delivery” section is available |
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222
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
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223
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A page title generated correctly |
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224
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All delivery options are listed |
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225
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Each delivery options detailed on a page |
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226
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Step by step instruction provided for each delivery option |
Payment details checklist |
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|
227
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“Payment” section is present |
|
228
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
|
229
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A page title generated correctly |
|
230
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All payment methods are listed |
|
231
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Each payment method is detailed |
|
232
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Step-By-Step instruction is available for each method |
Warranty details checklist |
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|
233
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“Warranty” section is present |
|
234
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
|
235
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A page title generated correctly |
|
236
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The warranty section contains details on warranty service, exchange or return |
Information about a company checklist |
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|
237
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“About Us” section is present |
|
238
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Breadcrumbs implemented |
|
239
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A page title generated correctly |
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240
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A full description of a company/store is available |
|
241
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Advantages of online shopping are listed |
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242
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(Optional) All offline shops [if any] listed in “Shops/Stores” section with addresses, photos, and maps |
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243
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(Optional) All available certificates [if any] presented for public display in the “Certificates” section of your website |
|
244
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“Contacts” subsection contains all necessary information |
Basic principles checklist |
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|
245
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The online store is displayed equally good in all popular browsers |
|
246
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The online store operates and functions equally good in all popular browsers |
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247
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The online store adapted for mobile platforms |
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248
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Website load time is 3 seconds or less |
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249
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Fonts are displayed correctly in all popular browsers |
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250
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Font size is not less than 12px |
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251
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The primary background color is white |
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252
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Links are visually distinguishable from the text |
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253
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Every single user sees a special offer (discount) pop-up only one time |
To sum it up on e-commerce checklist
The checklist itself, even a comprehensive one will never be the cure by itself. I’d say it is a framework for repetitive tasks like analyzing online stores.
Get in touch if you want GRIN tech’s team to do the job for you.
p.s. Check out a Buschman Store Case Study to get an idea of what the process might look like.