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The latest e-commerce statistics show that the number of people across generations who use online stores to shop is continuously increasing.
What’s more, the number of online stores is growing, as business owners see opportunities to sell online.
Still, e-commerce trends change each year. Nowadays, merchants have to be more creative than ever to provide the ultimate customer experience. To do this, they follow the latest trends in the industry.
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Mobile Shopping Is on the Rise
Mobile phones play a key role in everyone’s lives. Naturally, people are more likely to shop via mobile devices than desktop computers.
They can take their favorite store anywhere and always check what’s new. That’s why each online store should be optimized for mobile.
Product images should be responsive, and the website should load immediately. Chatbots should be available as well. Unfortunately, if the store isn’t mobile-friendly, business owners miss out on many opportunities to generate revenue.
Additional Payment Methods Boost UX
Being optimized for mobile also means including several other payment methods that fit the device. Additionally, offering more ways to pay increases conversion rates on all devices. Some of the payment methods include:
- Credit/debit cards
- Prepaid card payment
- Bank transfer
- E-wallets
- Mobile payments
Additionally, the latest trend among e-commerce is accepting cryptocurrencies.
AR Improves the Shopping Experience
One of the coolest trends that are here to stay involves augmented reality. With it, customers can try clothes and accessories online, directly on the brand’s website, without visiting the store.
In essence, AR has become a true game-changer for online shopping.
Even though some industries aren’t suitable for AR shopping, many will embrace it, especially businesses in the fashion and home decor industries.
Chatbots and Messengers Provide Instant Info
When customers land on an e-commerce website, they want instant information. Luckily, chatbots in messenger apps are ready to help. Chatbots are a cost-effective method of providing basic information without the need for customer support.
With chatbots, customer support can focus on solving essential business issues while customers get basic information delivered within seconds. Still, the era of chatbots has just begun.
They’re likely to develop even more, so much so that customers won’t be able to distinguish a chatbot from a human.
AI and Big Data Help With Personalization
As more people use the internet, more information will be collected across the online realm. For online businesses, this information can be crucial in providing the ultimate personalized experience.
AI can help analyze big data and provide insight into how customers behave and what they want to see on the website.
Thanks to personalization options, businesses can display what a customer wants to see. For example, websites can show specific products that match the customer’s needs or show a page that’s personalized only for one specific shopper.
Social Media Marketing Is a Must
A new social media platform emerges almost every year. With it come the new challenges of content creation, distribution, and brand exposure. Today, TikTok is among the most popular platforms, and video creation is crucial for engagement.
While customers react well to videos today, chances are videos will pair with AR in the future and provide the ultimate immersive experience. Ecommerce businesses can be the first to start with this trend as soon as technology develops a bit more.
Ecommerce Security Is Essential
The latest data shows that the e-commerce industry is 30% more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Additionally, 60% of small and medium businesses hardly survive a cyberattack. Still, cyberattacks happen because e-commerce websites usually store a lot of private information about customers.
Therefore, businesses will have to take extra steps in securing their websites. For example, they must focus on SSL certificates, secure all information, regularly manage updates and backups, and secure the payment gateway.
Hackers will become more dangerous, but businesses can still fight them in the future.
Sustainability Is Important for the Future
Both consumers and brands are becoming increasingly aware of the effect they have on the environment. Consumers are more conscious of what they shop for and how their favorite brands impact the environment.
On the other hand, businesses are looking to meet customer needs and become more eco-friendly with degradable packaging or paperless manufacturing. The use of recyclable materials is also a must.
Summary
Both technology and people are evolving, and every year brings something new to the table. However, today, businesses are more than aware of the latest trends that are here to stay.
As a result, business owners are ready and willing to take the necessary steps and provide the ultimate customer experience by optimizing their stores for mobile devices and focusing on sustainability.
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