More than half of the world’s population now loves to shop online sitting in their comfortable bed or easy chair. The rise of e-commerce has clearly brought some notable changes in the retail segment and in consumer buying behaviors. For you, as well as for all other retail businesses, having an online store is no longer an option. Rather, it is imperative to stay in the game. However, for those who already have a vibrating tent, it is not easy at all. There are many similar retailers that enter the scene every day. So what is important for the existing players in the market is to keep them updated with the latest trends that the evolution of e-commerce triggers every year.
If you have a commanding position in the online retail market, don’t miss out on the following trends that the e-commerce industry is currently driving.
Increased use of mobile devices
“The future of eCommerce will be governed by mobiles” studies have revealed. With a large proportion of consumers now tapping their phone screens to place orders instead of logging into the site via their desktops. Also, with Google’s announcement of a ranking algorithm that would make a site mobile responsive, there was an even bigger boost in mobile purchases through an app that is the exact replica of the site.
Voice purchases on the rise
While smartphones are only recently being integrated with voice assistants, e-commerce has great scope to take advantage of that and offer more personalized shopping experiences. Voice assistants help users to perform different tasks on the phone by speaking it. Therefore, an e-commerce application can also implement it so that buyers can search for products by simply expressing their wishes.
More improved payment and fulfillment options
In addition to flexible shipping options like free shipping within a specified distance or above a certain order amount, eCommerce owners offer more lucrative fulfillment to beat the competition. Premium shipping options such as same-day delivery, express delivery, store order pickup, etc. are emerging. On the payment side, new options such as Buy now, pay later, e-wallet, mobile payment, etc. were developed. Therefore, on an obvious note, you should also consider them to secure your position in the market.
Chatbots along with the Messenger feature
Chatbots that help in personalized interaction via messenger will be on the rise in the e-commerce segment. They are used by retailers to send personalized marketing content, recommend product purchases, and notify you of deals or coupon offers. Furthermore, with Chatbots, retailers can pay attention to customer service requests or queries at any time and resolve them instantly. With the growing relevance of personalization in e-commerce, the Chatbot trend is sure to become more prominent.
Omnipresence
It is 2018 where mobile presence has eclipsed everything else in the world. People use hundreds of mobile devices with different operating system platforms to search for things online. Therefore, it will not be more fruitful for e-commerce companies to target only particular devices. They should target everyone from smartphones to iPhones, from tablets to laptops and desktops.
Video integrations along with AR
Popular e-commerce giants have already fueled this trend. They are using videos to showcase products or demonstrate their uses. Additionally, some are also toying with the concept of Augmented Reality where users can test a product virtually on screens.
Storytelling that captivates viewers more
Well, in eCommerce marketing, storytelling nowadays works well to entice visitors to buy because that directly links their lifestyle to the brand. Pinch buyers’ emotions. Different statistics, consumer advice or habits will help make a difference in people’s perception.
That’s everything for now! Retailers that consider themselves a stronger player in the market need to quickly catch one or a few of these trends as quickly as possible before time runs out.