Ecommerce Trends to Watch for This Year (Part 1)
The world of ecommerce has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, with the global pandemic accelerating the shift towards online shopping. As consumers increasingly rely on digital platforms to fulfil their needs, businesses must stay attuned to the latest ecommerce trends to remain competitive and meet evolving customer expectations. In this comprehensive two-part article, we will explore the critical ecommerce trends to watch for this year, providing valuable insights, data-driven examples, and actionable tips to help you navigate the dynamic landscape of online retail.
It’s important to keep a close eye on the latest e-commerce trends in order to stay ahead of the competition and use the best tools available.
Trend 1: The Rise of Mobile Commerce
Mobile commerce, or m-commerce, has been on a meteoric rise in recent years, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. According to a report by eMarketer, mobile commerce sales were projected to reach $3.56 trillion by 2021, accounting for 72.9% of total ecommerce sales worldwide. This surge in mobile shopping can be attributed to several factors, including the widespread adoption of smartphones, improved mobile internet connectivity, and the growing popularity of mobile payment options.
To capitalise on this trend, ecommerce businesses must prioritise mobile optimisation and ensure that their websites and apps provide a seamless, user-friendly experience across all devices. Responsive design, fast loading times, and simplified checkout processes are essential for a successful mobile commerce strategy.
Tip: Implement mobile-specific features such as one-click ordering, mobile wallets, and push notifications to enhance the mobile shopping experience and encourage repeat purchases.
Trend 2: Personalisation and Customisation
In an increasingly competitive ecommerce landscape, personalisation and customisation have become critical differentiators. Consumers expect tailored experiences that cater to their unique preferences, interests, and needs. A study by Epsilon found that 80% of consumers are more likely to purchase when brands offer personalised experiences.
To deliver personalised experiences, ecommerce businesses can leverage data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning techniques. Companies can provide targeted product recommendations, personalised content, and customised offers by analysing customer data such as browsing behaviour, purchase history, and demographic information.
Tip: Implement personalisation at various touchpoints throughout the customer journey, such as personalised email campaigns, dynamic website content, and tailored product suggestions.
Ecommerce will find a way. If we communicate with it, we can trade with it, voice commerce is becoming more and more prevalent as restrictions to communications are slowly falling away with the use of technology.
Trend 3: Voice Commerce
The proliferation of smart speakers and voice assistants has given rise to a new era of voice commerce. According to a report by OC&C Strategy Consultants, voice commerce is expected to grow to $40 billion in the U.S. alone by 2022. Consumers increasingly use voice assistants to search for products, make purchases, and track orders as they become more comfortable with voice-based interactions.
To prepare for the growth of voice commerce, ecommerce businesses should optimise their content for voice search by incorporating long-tail keywords, conversational language, and concise answers to common questions. Additionally, companies can develop voice-enabled skills or actions for popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to provide a seamless voice shopping experience.
Tip: Ensure that your ecommerce website is optimised for voice search by including schema markup, structured data, and clear, concise product descriptions.
Trend 4: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are revolutionising how consumers interact with products online. By providing immersive, interactive experiences, AR and VR can bridge the gap between online and in-store shopping, allowing customers to visualise products in real-life contexts.
For example, furniture retailers like IKEA and Wayfair have implemented AR apps that enable customers to see how furniture items would look in their homes before making a purchase. Similarly, beauty brands like L'Oreal and Sephora have introduced virtual try-on features, allowing customers to experiment with different makeup and hair colours using smartphone cameras.
Tip: Identify opportunities to incorporate AR and VR technologies into your ecommerce strategy, such as product visualisations, virtual showrooms, and interactive user guides.
Trend 5: Sustainability and Ethical Consumerism
Sustainability and ethical consumerism have become increasingly important to consumers, particularly among younger generations. A study by Accenture found that 62% of consumers want companies to take a stand on current and broadly relevant issues like sustainability, transparency, and fair employment practices.
To appeal to environmentally and socially conscious consumers, ecommerce businesses should prioritise sustainability initiatives and communicate their efforts. This can include using eco-friendly packaging, partnering with sustainable brands, and implementing transparent supply chain practices.
Tip: Highlight your sustainability efforts throughout your ecommerce website, including product descriptions, shipping information, and company values.
Ecommerce Platforms and Advice
When choosing an ecommerce platform to power your online store, it's essential to compare the features and capabilities of popular options. Here's a comparison table of three leading ecommerce platforms:
| Feature | Shopify | WooCommerce | Magento |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | High | Medium | Low |
| Customisation | Medium | High | High |
| Scalability | High | High | High |
| Payment Options | 100+ | 100+ | 150+ |
| App Ecosystem | 4,000+ | 50,000+ | 5,000+ |
| Pricing | £29-£299/month | Free (self-hosted) | Free (self-hosted) |
Ecommerce Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between ecommerce and traditional retail? Ecommerce refers to the buying and selling goods or services over the internet, whilst traditional retail involves physical stores and face-to-face transactions.
How can I improve my ecommerce website's search engine rankings? To enhance your ecommerce website's search engine rankings, optimise your content for relevant keywords, build high-quality backlinks, improve website speed and performance, and provide a user-friendly experience.
What payment options should I offer on my ecommerce website? It's essential to provide various payment options to cater to different customer preferences. Popular choices include credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay.
How can I reduce cart abandonment on my ecommerce website? To reduce cart abandonment, optimise your checkout process by minimising form fields, offering guest checkout, providing clear shipping and return policies, and displaying trust badges and security certifications.
What are some practical ways to build customer loyalty in ecommerce? To build customer loyalty, consider implementing loyalty programmes, personalised recommendations, exclusive offers and discounts, excellent customer service, and engaging content marketing strategies.
Staying ahead of the curve is crucial for online retailers looking to succeed in an increasingly competitive market. By embracing the latest trends and technologies, such as mobile commerce, personalisation, voice commerce, augmented reality, and sustainability, businesses can differentiate themselves and provide exceptional customer experiences.
However, it's important to remember that trends are just one piece of the ecommerce puzzle. To thrive in the digital marketplace, businesses must also focus on fundamentals such as website optimisation, customer service, and data-driven decision-making.
By combining a deep understanding of emerging trends with a commitment to delivering value and convenience to customers, ecommerce businesses can position themselves for success in the years to come. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we will explore additional ecommerce trends and strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve.