As gas prices continue to climb, we should expect to see an increase in online shopping. Especially for retail stores situated in less-than-ideal locations to which consumers would be less likely to drive, revenue from online sales could help ease the stress of a recession.

Also, shops that appeal to a specific niche can benefit from a much larger group of consumers by reaching the entire country with a good website.

However, even if someone who wants what you’re selling manages to find your website, they will quickly navigate away if you make one of these mistakes:

1. Your website is badly organized, and the consumer can’t find what he’s looking for quickly.
Take cues from the big guys on this one Walmart.com and other huge retailers have categories with drop-down menus, a search bar, and special offers or best sellers to click on on their home pages. It is best to have multiple ways that the consumer can locate what he wants to find.

2. Your website is unattractive or unappealing. If your website looks cluttered, outdated, or just plain ugly, most consumers won’t even give it a chance. A website like this makes consumers question the reliability and quality of the company. Make sure your website looks professional, clean, and modern.

If you want your retail website to take off, you not only need a good position on search engines, but also a good-looking website that will hold the consumer’s attention once they click on your link.