As we move further into the 21st century, online shopping is becoming an increasingly popular way to purchase items. The global pandemic that shut down traditional brick-and-mortar stores also forced many consumers to shop online for the first time. And according to recent studies, it seems that once people start shopping online, they rarely go back to exclusively shopping in physical stores.
Now is the time to do it if you’re thinking about starting an online business or expanding your current brick-and-mortar operation to include an e-commerce component. But what can you expect from e-commerce in the future? Here are a few things to pay attention to:
1. E-Commerce Will Continue to Grow in Popularity
There’s no doubt about it; e-commerce is here to stay. And as more and more people shop online, we can expect even more growth in the e-commerce industry. It’s estimated that by 2040, 95% of all purchases will be made online. According to these e-commerce statistics showing the current trends in the booming industry, the total value of global e-commerce sales is expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2025. And as the e-commerce market continues to grow, we can expect to see even more changes and innovations in the years to come.
This growth is fueled by several factors, including the increasing popularity of mobile commerce, the rise of social media, and the growing trend of online shoppers buying from brands they can trust. As e-commerce continues to grow, we expect even more innovation and change in the industry.
2. Improved Customer Service
As e-commerce continues to grow, so will the importance of providing excellent customer service. In the past, many online shoppers were hesitant to purchase items online because they were worried about being unable to speak to a human being if something went wrong with their order.
Nowadays, however, there are many ways to provide excellent customer service without needing a physical storefront. Live chat features, for example, allow you to instantly connect with a customer who might be having an issue. Chatbot tools are also on the rise, as they can provide automated customer support 24/7.
Another way to provide excellent customer service is by offering a loyalty program. This could include giving customers points for every purchase they make, which they can redeem for discounts or free shipping. Loyalty programs are a great way to encourage customer retention and build brand loyalty.
3. Increased Personalization
One of the main benefits of shopping online is that you can easily find what you’re looking for without having to sift through racks of clothing or search store after store. But as e-commerce continues to grow, we can expect even more personalization regarding our shopping experiences.
In the future, e-commerce businesses will use data collected from our online activity to provide a more personalized shopping experience. This could include showing us products we’re likely interested in based on past purchases or providing recommendations for similar items we might like.
4. There Will be an Increase in Mobile Commerce
Mobile commerce, or m-commerce, is the buying and selling of goods and services through mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. In recent years, we’ve seen a surge in e-commerce as more and more consumers use their mobile devices to shop online.
This trend is only going to continue in the future. It’s estimated that by 2025, e-commerce will account for 72.9% of all e-commerce sales worldwide. As a result, brands need to ensure their e-commerce website is optimized for mobile devices. This means having a responsive design that looks good on all screen sizes and ensuring the checkout process is quick and easy to complete on a small screen.
5. Augmented Reality Will Become More Commonplace
Augmented reality, or AR, is a technology that allows users to interact with virtual objects in the real world. AR is used in gaming apps like Pokemon Go and social media apps like Snapchat. In the future, we can expect to see AR used more often in e-commerce. For example, some brands are already using AR to allow shoppers to try makeup or clothes without trying them on physically. This is a great way to reduce returns and increase customer satisfaction.
AR can also be used to provide an immersive shopping experience. For example, Ikea has developed an app that allows users to place virtual furniture in their homes to see how it would look before they buy it. Other brands could use this type of technology in the future to give customers a better idea of what they’re buying before they make a purchase.
6. A growing Strategy in Marketing Automation
The ever-changing landscape of e-Commerce has seen a drastic increase in the use of marketing automation platforms. Automated messaging can help your brand spark relationships with your customers and keep them coming back for more.
With the right marketing automation strategy, your e-commerce business can target current and potential customers with laser precision. You can also automate customer journeys to reflect their specific needs and interests.
Marketing automation is also commonly applied to email marketing, where brands send automated messages based on customer interactions, such as cart abandonment or product purchases. This way, brands can keep their customers engaged without putting in too much work.
7. E-Commerce Will Become More Globalized
In the past, e-commerce was largely limited to businesses selling to customers in their own country. But as the internet has made it easier for people to connect and shop online, we see a rise in cross-border e-commerce.
This trend is being driven by several factors, including the growing popularity of mobile commerce, the increasing number of consumers shopping online, and the rising middle class in developing countries. As a result, we can expect to see more businesses selling internationally.
The future of e-commerce is looking bright. With new technologies emerging and shoppers becoming more comfortable buying things online, we can expect a lot of growth in the industry in the years to come. So if you’re thinking about starting an e-commerce business, now is the time to do it! Just make sure you stay ahead of the trends and keep your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in e-commerce.