Is my Amatuer Shopify Stores User Experience better than ZARA’S?

How Zara's mobile layout compares to my mock Urban Outfitters Shopify store.

Home Page:

Zara’s mobile app opening page

• Upon opening the Zara app, you are presented with a rotating array of images, showcasing each departments newness.
• The menu bar is featured on the bottom of the page, with the options to go to your shopping cart, view your account, see product menu, access search bar, or go back to the homepage.

Zara mobile web browser vs. my mock Urban Outfitters Shopify mobile web browser

• Zara- The mobile layout tries to be similar to the app layout, but feels a bit more confusing as the menu, search, and shopping cart are now hidden at the top of the screen.
• The photo taking up the entirety of the screen makes it feel like a magazine or photo-book, and not like an m-commerce page.
• My Shopify- The home page of my mock up Urban Outfitters Shopify store, although amatuer, feels easier to navigate. You are presented with an option to shop newness and are shown featured products right away. The menu, search, and shopping cart are also easily visible.

Menu Page:

• Zara- As an established, successful, international retailer, Zara of course has a huge arrangement of products to choose from. Within the womens department alone, you see several categories ranging from special categories like “dress time” and “summer outfits” to the usual categories such as “pants” and “skirts”.
• My Shopify- With only one product category my little storefront pales in comparison. That being said, the layout itself is quite similar to Zara's and easy to navigate.

Product Category Page:

• Zara- Once you click on to view women's clothing, you’re taken to the product selection page. One thing that Zara does that not a lot of others do is showcase the products as large, scenic photographs that take up the whole screen, sometimes making it confusing as to which product is being showcased.
• Similar to the home screen, Zara tends to make its m-commerce site feel more like a photobook and less like a shoppable storefront.
• My Shopify- You can see two products next to each other creating a seamless shopping experience. The photos make it easy to tell which product is listed, with the white backdrop drawing attention to the product.

Product Landing Page:

• Zara- The product landing page is pretty solid. To view the product images you must scroll vertically as opposed to the usual horizontal scroll. Below that, you see the product description, with expandable views on the things such as contents & care. In order to select your size you must first select “add to cart”.

• My Shopify- On my product landing page you are able to view images horizontally and can select your size before adding to cart. Scrolling down allows you to view other product info, but this could be optimized by creating expandable views like Zara.

Shopping Cart:

• Zara- Shopping cart allows you to view your product, add more quantities, or delete from cart. You are given suggestions of products to add to “complete your look” and are also asked if the order is a gift and requires a gift receipt. You are prompted to then continue to checkout.
• My Shopify- My shopping cart page also allows you to edit quantity or delete product. You can also continue shopping if you're not finished yet or proceed to the checkout. You are also shown that a special discount is available for your product.

So, what can we take away from this?

In conclusion, I cannot say that my little Shopify store competes with Zara, but comparing your Shopify store to one of an industry leader is a great way to improve on your own business and make it competitive.

For more insight on Shopify and if it’s right for your needs, check out my other article here.