Hello everyone,
Where’s eCommerce going? Let’s find out. We will have a look at seven key emerging trends that are predicting the near future of e-commerce. We will provide you with steps you can take to avoid missing the curb.
1. VOICE SHOPPING
Voice shopping is already very popular and consists of using your voice to make purchases using voice assistant technology. Which is usually included in smartphones or voice-activated devices such as amazon echo or google home. According to a Navarre study, 24% of consumers were already using this voice-activated virtual assistant technology to make online purchases in 2018. This number will continue to increase over time with wider user adoption. Voice-activated devices can remember purchases, remind shoppers to reorder items, track orders, apply coupons and discounts, recommend brands and products based on reviews posted by amazon customers. They are only getting smarter and improving notably with regards to semantic search.
2. VISUAL SEARCH
Visual search can be carried out via a number of means such as reverse image searches, augmented reality, or virtual reality using a variety of devices like smartphones glasses, or specially made goggles. Augmented reality is an interactive experience via a device like a phone or AR glasses to identify objects places and language. AR can visually annotate our everyday lives with information, accessibility, and heightened experience. According to oxford languages, virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional image or environment that can be interacted with in a seemingly real or physical way by a person using special electronic equipment, such as a helmet with a screen inside or gloves fitted with sensors. Google is already testing these technologies with youtube AR try-on and Google Lens. Ikea is already providing this technology via their Ikea Place app, allowing in-market customers to see what their furniture would look like in their home before ordering it.
3. IoT: INTERNET OF THINGS
The internet of things is also expanding and it’s currently playing an important role in the transformation of brick and mortar retail.
For example, you may have already used contactless payments when paying with a device in a physical store. From a consumer’s perspective with regards to e-commerce, we can take a smart fridge as an example.
A smart fridge can allow customers to automatically place one-time or recurring orders when certain food items are low by using amazon’s Alexa virtual assistant technology.
4. M-COMMERCE
Sorry, I have to mention this one, but I do. 50% of searches are made on mobile and that number is increasing, but way too many merchants still don’t have mobile responsive websites. Over 50% of online sales are expected to be mobile in 2021. So, if your site isn’t mobile-friendly yet, make your online store mobile responsive.
5. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE [ AI ]
Ai consists of human-like intelligence in machines that are capable of learning, adapting, improving, and solving real-life problems. Artificial intelligence applies machine learning, deep learning, and other techniques to solve complex problems. In e-commerce, AI can be used for marketing and conversion optimization, inventory management and replenishment optimization, personalized shopping, and advanced automation.
6. CHATBOTS
Chatbots are becoming an essential part of improving customer experience and they include a number of benefits to consumers and merchants. They offer merchants a way to provide 24 7 customer support and automate replies to recurring questions, therefore reducing overhead. Customers can benefit from quick answers personalized service and frustration-free shopping. Chatbots can also be used to provide clients with product details, cross-sales, promotions information on their order status, shipping, and more. Consumers are embracing chatbots as they become better at understanding commands and answering queries. Only 14% of consumers who consider they do not like them at all compared to 35% six months prior in an avar study.
7 CRYPTO PAYMENTS
The use of cryptocurrency payments is on the rise and adoption is growing especially in emerging economies. Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, keep an open mind to these new payment methods that will be more and more in demand for e-commerce in the future.
If you want to know more about eCommerce or want to make a mobile-friendly eCommerce website, feel free to contact us.
