Web Design

E-Commerce in 2026: What Michigan Retailers Need to Know

Tony Paris
January 9, 2026
6 min read

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E-commerce continues to grow, and Michigan retailers cannot afford to ignore online sales. Whether you are starting fresh or improving an existing store, here is what you need to know for 2026 success.

Modern retail warehouse with automated fulfillment system
E-commerce operations require modern infrastructure and strategy

The Michigan E-Commerce Opportunity

Michigan consumers increasingly shop online, even from local businesses. They expect the convenience of e-commerce combined with the trust of dealing with a local company. This creates opportunity for Michigan retailers.

Modern retail warehouse with automated fulfillment system
E-commerce operations require modern infrastructure and strategy

Essential E-Commerce Features for 2026

1. Mobile-Optimized Checkout

Over 60% of e-commerce purchases happen on mobile devices. Your checkout must be seamless on phones with large buttons, easy forms, and multiple payment options.

2. Multiple Payment Options

Accept credit cards, digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and Buy Now Pay Later options like Klarna and Afterpay.

3. Fast, Reliable Shipping

Customers expect quick delivery. Consider local delivery options and clear shipping timeframes. Free shipping thresholds still drive larger orders.

4. Product Reviews and Social Proof

93% of consumers read reviews before purchasing. Implement a robust review system and display social proof prominently.

5. High-Quality Product Images

Online shoppers cannot touch products. Provide multiple high-quality images, zoom functionality, and video where possible.

Platform Recommendations

  • WooCommerce: Best for WordPress users seeking flexibility
  • Shopify: Best for beginners wanting quick setup
  • Custom development: Best for unique requirements

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Complicated checkout processes
  • Hidden shipping costs
  • Poor product descriptions
  • Slow website performance
  • Lack of security trust signals

Get Your Store Online

AppWT has built e-commerce sites for Michigan retailers for nearly three decades. From simple product catalogs to complex custom configurations, we can help you sell online. Contact us to discuss your e-commerce needs.

Explore our Ecommerce services.

Explore our Woocommerce services.

Ready to get started? Contact AppWT today for a free consultation.

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e-commerce Michigan retail online store
TP

Tony Paris

Founder and Tech Wizard at AppWT Web & AI Solutions. With over 29 years of experience in web development, Tony helps businesses succeed online through custom websites, SEO, and AI integration.

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Accessibility

by AppWT Web & AI Solutions
🛡️ Accessibility Profiles
📝 Content Adjustments
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🎨 Color Adjustments
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Accessibility Statement

Our commitment to digital accessibility and inclusive design

Our Commitment to Accessibility

AppWT Web & AI Solutions is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for people with disabilities. We continually improve the user experience for everyone and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals.

Conformance Status

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines requirements for designers and developers to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. It defines three levels of conformance: Level A, Level AA, and Level AAA.

AppWT Web & AI Solutions is partially conformant with WCAG 2.1 level AA. Partially conformant means that some parts of the content do not fully conform to the accessibility standard.

Accessibility Features

  • Built-in accessibility toolbar with multiple customization options
  • Keyboard navigation support throughout the website
  • Screen reader compatibility and proper ARIA labels
  • High contrast mode and color customization options
  • Text size adjustment and font modification capabilities
  • Reading guide and focus indicators for improved navigation
  • Alternative text for all images and media
  • Semantic HTML structure for better screen reader interpretation

Technical Specifications

Accessibility of AppWT Web & AI Solutions relies on the following technologies to work with the particular combination of web browser and any assistive technologies or plugins installed on your computer:

  • HTML
  • WAI-ARIA
  • CSS
  • JavaScript

These technologies are relied upon for conformance with the accessibility standards used.

Feedback

We welcome your feedback on the accessibility of AppWT Web & AI Solutions. Please let us know if you encounter accessibility barriers:

Phone: (888) 565-0171

Email: sales@appwt.com

Address: 33300 Five Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48154 (by Appointment Only)

Assessment Approach

AppWT Web & AI Solutions assessed the accessibility of our website by the following approaches:

  • Self-evaluation
  • External evaluation
  • Automated testing tools
  • Manual testing with assistive technologies

Date

This statement was created on January 15, 2025 using the W3C Accessibility Statement Generator Tool.

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