As we move into the 21st century, online shopping is becoming an increasingly popular way to purchase goods. It is estimated that by 2022 global eCommerce sales will reach $5.5 trillion. That's a lot of money up for grabs.
So, what are some trends that businesses should watch out for to stay ahead of the curve? In this article, we will discuss some of the most important ones.
Social Media is Still a Critical Revenue Stream
It is no secret that social media platforms have become a significant player in the eCommerce world. What does this mean for businesses? If you're not already utilizing social media to sell your products, you need to start now.
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are perfect for promoting your goods and driving traffic to your website or store.
The Rise of Mobile Shopping
Another trend that businesses need to be aware of is the rise of mobile shopping. More people are using their smartphones to purchase goods and services online.
This trend is driven by the increasing availability of high-speed mobile data and the proliferation of affordable smartphones. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, your website or online store must be optimized for mobile devices.
Remember, if you’re going to go all out in increasing your website traffic, invest in insurance for online stores to protect against cyber crimes. Cybercriminals are known for planning and executing DDoS attacks, which are directed at overloading your website with fake traffic. This causes a website crash, leading the hacker to ask for a ransom to stop the attack. Insurance for online stores should help minimize the damage of these attacks if they were to happen.
The Growth of Visual Search
Visual search is another trend that is on the rise. With platforms like Pinterest and Google Images, people are becoming more accustomed to searching for products using images rather than words.
Businesses need to be aware of this trend and ensure that their product images are Optimized for search engines. This will ensure that your products appear in search results when people are looking for them.
If the way you're choosing to monetize your website is with custom merchandise, not only make sure to have high-quality images that stand out in the search results but also have product descriptions that sell
Influencer Marketing Will Become the Name of the Game
As social media platforms continue to grow, so will the influence of influencers. This trend is driven by the fact that people are increasingly looking to social media personalities for product recommendations.
To stay ahead of the curve, you must start working with influencers to promote your products.
Video Marketing Will Thrive
Video marketing is another trend that is here to stay. With platforms like YouTube and Instagram TV, businesses can reach a broad audience with marketing messages.
To stay ahead of the competition, you must start creating high-quality videos to promote your products.
Email Marketing Will Become a Competitive Advantage
Email marketing is another trend that businesses need to be aware of. Email marketing can be a powerful tool for driving traffic to your website or online store with the right strategy.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it is essential that you start using email marketing to promote your products. With that said, here are some helpful email marketing tips:
Use a powerful subject line to grab attention
Write compelling copy that drives action
Include a call-to-action in every email
Segment your list so you can send targeted emails
Use automation to make your life easier
AR and VR Will Rule the Day
Businesses need to be aware of the trend toward AR and VR. With platforms like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, people are becoming more accustomed to using these technologies.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it is essential that you start investing in AR and VR. This will ensure that your products are at the forefront of this new technology.
Voice Search Will Need to Be Prioritized
Another trend businesses need to be aware of is the rise of voice search. With devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, people are becoming more accustomed to using voice commands to search for products.
To stay ahead of the competition, you must start optimizing your website or online store for voice search. This will ensure that your products appear in search results when people are looking for them.
Onsite Personalization Will Be Critical
Another trend businesses need to be aware of is the importance of onsite personalization. With the help of data and technology, businesses can customize the experience they offer to each customer.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it is essential that you start investing in onsite personalization. This will ensure that your customers have a positive experience with your brand.
Chatbots Will Continue to Improve Customer Experiences
Businesses need to be aware of the trend toward chatbots. Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation. They are becoming increasingly popular as a way to improve customer service.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it is essential that you start investing in chatbots. This will ensure that your customers have a positive experience with your brand and can get the information they need quickly and easily.
Multiple Payment Methods Can Help Shorten a Gap in Competition
As the world of eCommerce continues to grow, so will the competition. To stay ahead of the curve, businesses must start offering multiple payment methods. This will ensure that customers can pay for your products most conveniently.
You can offer several different payment methods, such as credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Offering multiple payment options can shorten the gap between you and your competition.
Subscriptions Will Keep Customers Coming Back for More
Another trend businesses need to be aware of is the rise of subscriptions. With the help of subscription services, companies can keep customers returning for more.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it is essential that you start offering subscriptions for your products. This will ensure that your customers can always get the latest and greatest from your brand.
Learn More Upcoming eCommerce Trends
These are just a few of the many trends businesses need to be aware of in eCommerce. If you want to stay ahead of the competition, you must stay up-to-date on all the latest trends.
Check out our blog to learn more about upcoming eCommerce trends. We’ll keep you updated on the latest news so that you can stay ahead of the competition.