E-commerce has never been more important than now. Understanding the latest retailing, consumer expectations, e-commerce trends, and technology trends is critical to realizing the full potential of your ability to build brand loyalty and attract new customers.
E-commerce Trends 2021
Along with the 13 eCommerce trends mentioned below (in numbers), here are some more trends that you must watch out for.
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Augmented reality.
For eCommerce, augmented reality (AR) has been a game-changer. This type of technology allows shoppers to see the thing they’re looking for up close, which aids in their purchasing decision. In certain areas, such as fashion and home decor, AR has a significant impact on the purchasing experience since it allows customers to get a better feel for an item without having to see it in person.
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Invest in AI.
Customers can have automated, individualized purchasing experiences thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. AI collects data on how customers shop when they make purchases, and what they’re seeking for in a product or service regularly. It’s a piece of technology that can’t be recreated in a physical location.
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Chatbots improve shopping experiences.
Chatbots communicate with internet shoppers in the same way that a human salesperson would. Today’s shopper expects to be able to identify and purchase a product in only a few clicks, and they become frustrated if they are unable to do so. A chatbot can help save the deal in this situation.
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Mobile shopping.
Customers may shop on their phones from anywhere, which is essential in today’s society. You’ll be missing out on major opportunities if your eCommerce site isn’t responsive on mobile or through web apps. Mobile shoppers want the added convenience of being able to pay with their phones.
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Customers respond to video.
In 2019, video proved to be a powerful tool for engaging customers, and it’s not going away anytime soon. Creating videos for your website is an excellent approach to immediately engage and inform customers about your product or service.
E-commerce Trends Post Covid-19
Much of the boost in eCommerce that occurred as a result of COVID-19 is expected to last after the pandemic has passed, as people learn how simple it is to shop online. Some customers are more inclined to return to in-person shopping, especially if they appreciate the social aspect of it.
- Snap and Shop is a trend that combines offline and internet interactions. Users will be able to take a photo of a product they like with their Smartphone camera and then use an app to find those goods in an online store. Pinterest has released its dynamic photo camera, which analyses photographs and delivers product details.
- Subscription-based models are becoming more popular – Digital payments have grown in popularity and convenience. This is due in part to companies providing a greater variety of payment options, multiple payment plans, and auto-pay.
- Increased Use of Social Payments – Social payments is money transfers done through social media. Many social media platforms have made social wallets available to their users. Twitter Buy and Facebook Payments are two examples.
- Increased Fulfillment Options – During the pandemic, people began purchasing more necessities online. Retailers who were not already online scrambled to set up their eCommerce stores or improve their existing eCommerce stores to provide a better customer experience.
Ecommerce Trends for 2022
Trend 1: Consolidating your technology stack
If your eCommerce platform is difficult to maintain and keep stable, it’s most likely due to the number of third-party integrations and a lack of customization capability, which makes your platform’s foundations unstable. To ensure stability, select a hybrid-SaaS platform that is infinitely customizable and highly scalable.
Trend 2: Adding Social Media channels as a sales channel
Social media platforms have billions of users worldwide. TikTok, the most downloaded app in Apple’s App Store, generates £37 million in revenue each year. Most platforms are evolving to support social commerce, allowing users to purchase goods from third-party retailers without leaving the app.
Trend 3: The Desire To Shop With Independent Businesses
When customers see their local companies struggling, they want to lend a hand. Switching from a monthly Amazon Prime subscription to a small business subscription is not only popular but also on-trend. “Shop Local” is more than a slogan in the COVID-19 consumer sector; it is a sign of unity.
Trend 4: Visual Commerce Is on the Rise
The next generation of static images is visual commerce. Visual commerce takes marketing to a new level by adding various sorts of content such as user-generated material, interactive content, engaging and interactive videos, and, as previously said, augmented reality.
Lets explore a few more eCommerce trends: