Keeping up with the latest trends ensures that you do not fall behind the competition. In fact, it may help you get ahead of the curve by being one of the first to implement innovations and improve customer experience.
Some trends come and go while others stay for the foreseeable future. The list below reviews what trends have been making their way into the eCommerce industry, and it should give you a better idea of what to look out for in the next few years.
Trend #1 – Custom-Made Merchandise
Having a slogan or a logo on merchandise gives you more opportunities to promote the brand. You do not have to dropship custom products to turn them into profits.
Take complimentary gifts, for example. A pen or a cap can be included with a purchase as a reward for someone who has been a loyal customer. Such products could also work as a prize on social media giveaways or as handouts during live events.
Finally, your company could be participating in a charity event, such as a marathon, that supports local causes. Wearing t-shirts with a company logo will let others know who you are, and the word about your participation will travel.
Trend #2 – Voice Ecommerce
Voice assistants like Alexa show that people prefer to carry out certain tasks using their voice. Shopping is an example of such a task.
Not all online stores have optimized for voice ecommerce yet, but it is only a matter of time before that changes.
In addition to simplifying the lives of regular customers, voice shopping would also accommodate people with disabilities who can only shop with their voice.
Trend #3 – Advanced Customization
When possible, do not limit customization options for your customers. Let them have free reign and pick colors, fonts, and captions that they would like to put on products.
The more options shoppers have, the better it is for your business. After all, you may be one of the few businesses in your niche that offers such perks, and that is a good incentive to attract even more clients.
Trend #4 – Customer Experience
A happy customer could share their experience on social media and praise your store. An unhappy customer could do the opposite and damage your reputation.
Managing shopper expectations is not easy, but it starts from the basics. Ensure that you have a reliable customer support department, including an FAQ page for those who prefer to look for answers themselves rather than deal with customer support.
You can then focus on other elements, such as a VIP loyalty program that earns clients points. These points can be redeemed for various perks, like free shipping or a discount.
Trend #5 – Social Media Ecommerce
It should not be a surprise to see more and more social media platforms add shops directly on the platforms. Given how many people use sites like Facebook and Instagram, it was natural for the developers to recognize an opportunity and take advantage of it.
You can leverage your social media presence even more by building a store on a selected platform and advertise your brand. Keep in mind that the gimmick is still relatively new, and not many businesses are using it.
Trend #6 – Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has been around for a while now, but it seems that the popularity of influencers is at an all-time high at the moment.
Even a simple shoutout from a relevant personality can bring businesses a big boost. Thus, brands are looking to build relationships with as many influencers as they can. You should not fall behind this trend and try to reach wider audiences as well.
If hiring an A-tier celebrity is too expensive, you can seek micro-influencers who are not as expensive because of how many followers they have. However, working with five influencers who have 50k followers each may be easier than working with a single influencer who has 250k followers. And if the audiences of micro-influencers do not overlap, you are not missing out.
Trend #7 – Mobile Optimization
It is difficult to find a website with poor mobile optimization. Since about half of the total web traffic comes from smartphones and tablets, most web owners have a proper UI that is ready for mobiles.
However, accommodating mobile users with a website is not always enough. You could consider hiring someone who can develop an app for you. After all, smartphone apps are more convenient than using a browser as far as shopping goes.
Trend #8 – Multiple Payment Options
Lack of available payment options leads to abandoned shopping carts. It may be difficult to implement every available eWallet method in your store, but try to add as many as you can.
Services like PayPal and Payoneer should be a given. But the rise of cryptocurrency is also worth considering. And who knows, by being one of the first to introduce the crypto option, you could attract new customers.
