We spoke with leaders in the industry about the changes this year and they had a lot to share. So, let's explore the biggest E-commerce trends and see where things are headed.
1. AR enhances the reality of online shopping.
Augmented reality (AR) has been a complete game-changer for e-commerce. With this type of technology, shoppers can truly see the item they're shopping for, which helps them make a buying decision. AR really changes the shopping experience in specific industries, such as fashion and home decor because the customer can get a better feel for the item without seeing it in person.
2. There will be a growing volume of voice search.
Not only do more people own smart speakers, but they also rely on voice assistants to complete daily tasks. Loop Ventures forecasts that 75% of U.S. households will own a smart speaker by 2025.
3. AI helps shops learn about shoppers.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning make it possible for the customer to have automated, personalized shopping experiences. AI is continuously collecting data on how a customer shops, when they buy purchases and what they're looking for in a product or a service. It's a piece of technology that really can't be replicated in-store.
4. On-site personalization uses those insights to create individualized experiences.
Buyers of all sorts — including B2C and B2B — are looking for personalized, custom shopping experiences online. The data collected from AI is what makes it possible for a buyer to get personalized product recommendations and detailed customer service.
5. Big data plays a big part in creating personalized experiences.
Today, many consumers are more aware that eCommerce sites are collecting personal data, which puts them at risk. Because of this, experts have mixed feelings about the benefits of big data and how it affects the personalized shopping experience.
6. Chatbots improve the shopping experience.
Chatbots interact with online shoppers much like an in-store sales associate would do. Today's shopper wants to be able to find and buy a product in just a few clicks, and if they can't, they get frustrated. This is where a chatbot can step in and save the sale.
7. Mobile shopping is still on the move.
Mobile shopping allows customers to make purchases from anywhere, which is vital in today's world. However, if your e-commerce site isn't responsive on mobile or through web apps, you'll be missing out on big opportunities. Shoppers who are mobile users want the added convenience, plus the ability to pay digitally.
8. More ways to pay.
Customers have individual needs when it comes to payment methods, but they might cancel a potential sale if they can't pay how they want on an eCommerce website. Offering a wide variety of ways to pay is a good way to increase conversion rates on mobile devices. Plus, if customers can save their payment information on your site, they'll be able to checkout even faster the next time they make a purchase.
9 Customers respond to the video.
Video proved to be a great way to engage customers in 2021, and it's not going away anytime soon. Creating videos for your website is a great way to instantly grab and engage a customer and inform them about your product or service.
10.B2B is growing...and changing.
If you were ever worried that B2B would go out of style, fear not. Global retail e-commerce
sales for B2B are expected to reach $1.1 trillion in 2021, according to data from Statista.