Managing an online fashion or lingerie store comes with its own set of challenges. With years of experience supporting apparel and lingerie brands, we’ve optimized Shopify stores and improved the customer experience.
In this article, we’ll explain why Shopify is the top choice for fashion and intimates businesses.
Successful Shopify Migrations and Custom Designs for Apparel and Intimates Brands
Over the years, we have had the privilege of collaborating with a diversity of clients. Every time, our goal has been to develop a personalized plan that fits the unique vision and range of products of that specific brand.
Of the many projects we have worked on, one that stands out is Rhea Costa. In this case, we ensured their migration to Shopify from Webfutures. To boost their online presence, we put a few well-chosen advanced features into practice. We also made sure their beautiful collections stood out by adding a lookbook and size chart.
One example of extra functionality is related to the designs available in various colors. By grouping them into individual listings, we allowed customers to browse by color option. Also, by employing advanced features we made sure that customer searches such as “red dress” lead only to pertinent designs in that specific color. Without this, a product with a black main image would show up first – even if a red version was available.
For Sofiaman, we successfully migrated their store from OpenCart to Shopify. We also integrated important features like gift-wrapping options and a size chart for a seamless shopping experience. We also implemented cross-selling functionalities to increase average order value.
In addition, we’ve worked with many other brands that specialize in apparel.
Sarah Maier is a luxury brand focused on high-end dresses. We designed a Shopify store to easily display her collections, with filters that make browsing easier and quicker.
Another example is Modest Vybez Boutique, where we emphasized size inclusivity. We implemented a custom size guide and filters to make it easier for customers to identify their ideal fit. As a result, we made the shopping experience more pleasant for all body types.
We’ve also optimized Winifred Mills, Coregami, Marie Birdie, Bej Label, Shop Rodeo Drive, and Flite Sports stores. The shopping experience is user-friendly with the following features: custom product filters, upsell options, and cross-sell capabilities. These stores have unique requirements, and we’ve customized our solutions to fit their brand identity.
In the intimates and lingerie sector, we’ve worked with Lola Luna, Elle Intimates, Bianca Bikinis, and Samadanesh. In implementing their Shopify stores, we opted for must-have features such as a fully secure checkout system, a practical size guide, and a list of recommended styles.
For the Lola Luna project, the goal was to ensure an elegant shopping experience that matches the brand’s luxury collections, Our work for Elle Intimates, involved supplying a size guide that makes it easy for customers to find the the perfect fit.
The online store we created for Bianca Bikinis impresses with a vibrant design and beautifully highlights seasonal collections by providing a detailed list of features for every product in an interface that’s easy to use. We also managed to enhance the browsing experience of Samadanesh customers by supplying customized lists of recommended products and advanced filters.
Essential Features for Any Shopify Apparel & Intimates Store
With competition being fierce in the apparel & intimates industry, a Shopify store needs to deliver a superior shopping experience to ensure its success. Here is a list of essential features that once implemented can lead to improved conversion rates,
1. Size Charts
Why it matters: Size charts are a must for any store that sells apparel or intimates. Oftentimes, customers think twice about placing an order because they’re worried about the fit. Therefore, a beautifully integrated and easy-to-understand size chart makes customers feel more confident about the size picked.
How it works:
- A detailed size chart is included on each product’s page.
- The size chart caters to international customers by displaying the measurements in metric as well as imperial units.
- A “size finder” tool can be added as an advanced feature, allowing customers to enter their height, weight, or various other measurements and receive in return a best-size recommendation.
2. Color Swatches
Why it matters:
By displaying color options or swatches next to the product viewed, you ensure a smoother shopping experience as the customer can instantly explore all the color choices for a specific item. This feature ensures customers see all color variations at a glance and reduces confusion when selecting an item.
How it works:
- Color swatches are displayed directly on the product page, typically as clickable squares or circles that change the product image to show the selected color.
- This visual change gives the customer an immediate preview of the product in their chosen color.
3. Lookbooks
Why it matters:
If you want to highlight certain already-styled outfits and provide your customers with some extra inspiration, lookbooks are a must. They are especially useful when a brand needs to showcase a seasonal collection or curated looks. Properly designed, a lookbook gives your customers ideas on how to combine your latest products.
How it works:
- You can group lookbooks into lifestyle categories such as: “Spring Collection” or “Holiday Outfits”
- Once they find something they like in the lookbook, customers can click on that item and reach the product’s specific page.
- In an advanced setup, this feature can also link certain combinations of items that look good as an ensemble.
4. Related Items
Why it matters:
By making sure customers can view related items on a product page’s bottom, you have the opportunity to boost average order values. Usually, customers don’t consider additional complementary products on their own, but viewing some worthy choices might convince them to make an extra purchase.
How it works:
- In most cases, the recommendations made vary depending on factors such as the popularity of an item, belonging to the same category, or being often purchased together.
- By adding a “You may also like” or “Complete the look” section wisely, you tempt your customers with more options without negatively impacting their browsing experience.
5. Upsell Items
Why it matters:
The goal of upselling is to determine customers to consider a more expensive product that typically impresses with better features or superior quality. Therefore, it’s an essential strategy for boosting revenue without having to bring additional traffic to your store.
How it works:
- Upsell options are usually on display on product pages or at checkout, advertising premium alternatives to the items your customer is interested in.
- For instance, a customer who wants to purchase a typical pair of jeans, will be tempted with a premium fabric or a designer look in the upsell section.
- Upselling can also imply ensuring services that add value to an item such as personalization or different warranty options.
6. Cross-Sell Items (on the Cart Page)
Why it matters:
Cross-selling is about making product recommendations to the customer that match well with the items already added to the cart. This strategy allows you to sell more products and encourages customers to buy items they might not have originally considered.
How it works:
- As customers add products to their cart, they are presented with cross-sell recommendations for products like accessories, shoes, or other matching items.
- These suggestions typically appear on the cart page, right before checkout, to ensure they are visible when the customer is already committed to making a purchase.
7. Functional Combos (Product Bundles)
Why it’s important:
Offering functional combos or product bundles is a great way to boost revenue because it encourages customers to order a selection of related items at a discounted price. Bundles not only boost sales but also enhance the shopping experience by helping customers save time.
How it works:
- A bundle offers groups of related items together—such as a matching top, pants, and jacket—and offers them at a discount when bought together.
- Bundles can be presented on the product page, within the cart, or as a special deal on the homepage.
8. Gift Wrapping Options
Why it matters:
By including gift-wrapping options in your offer, you deliver a superior shopping experience, especially during the holiday season or when special occasions arise. It’s a luxury feature that can make your products seem more valuable.
How it works:
- Usually, customers can decide to add gift wrapping during checkout. The store’s goal should be to offer elegant options that match the brand’s aesthetic.
- For an extra touch of personalization, you can give customers the option to add custom messages or gift tags.
9. Pre-Order & Back-in-Stock Notifications
Why it matters:
Pre-order and back-in-stock notifications are important tools to use if you want to preserve sales momentum and keep your customers excited even when their chosen products are not available. By utilizing these features, you can improve inventory management and also make sure customers don’t discount your store in their search for a certain item.
How it works:
- The pre-order functionality gives customers the chance to order items before they are in stock.
- This feature is essential for apparel brands, especially when promoting their limited-edition collections or seasonal items.
10. Wishlist Setup
Why it matters:
The wishlist functionality is a must if you want customers to be able to save the products that attract their attention while browsing even if they don’t want to make the purchase right then and there. It’s a useful feature for an apparel store because it allows customers to compare styles with ease, decide on what item they’d like to buy at a later time or wait for a sale.
How it works:
- Customers can add products to their wishlist with the click of a button, and the items are saved within their account for future reference.
- The wishlist can be shared with friends or family for gift-giving purposes.
Conclusion: Why These Features Are Essential for Your Shopify Apparel Store
If your goal is to build a Shopify apparel or intimates store that’s user-friendly and benefits from a high conversion rate, all these features are best practices that can’t be neglected. Whether you decide to help your customers find the perfect fit by supplying a detailed size chart or aim to boost average order values by recommending items and upselling, by implementing such tools you ensure a superior shopping experience for all your customers.
Can’t wait to start building a store that employs all these must-have features for your brand of apparel or intimates? Start your collaboration with us today and develop that Shopify store that does more than just highlight your products: it also ensures a seamless, engaging, and efficient shopping experience.