While eCommerce and online shopping is nothing new, it has experienced a huge boost during the last year. With the unexpected Covid-19 pandemic, brick and mortar retail stores have decreased in popularity and eCommerce businesses noticed an overwhelming demand. But what’s in store for 2021? Check out the top eCommerce trends 2021 will bring and how see eCommerce brands can prepare for them.
The Rise Of Online Shopping During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Since most countries introduced lockdown policies in 2020 and are looking to continue with them in 2021, brick and mortar stores have noticed a decrease in customers. People have turned to social media and eCommerce businesses to do their shopping. According to this UNCTAD survey, most businesses have either invested in developing an online store or invested in improving their existing eCommerce business during the last year. However, with such an increase in online shoppers, the pressure on eCommerce businesses to deliver an excellent shopping experience has never been stronger. So what are some of the most crucial eCommerce trends you need to know about in the year 2021? What action can you take to grow your eCommerce business?
eCommerce Trends To Watch In 2021
The eCommerce industry is growing constantly. But, due to the pandemic outbreak last year, there’s been more online retailers and small businesses entering the online shopping market. Here’s some of the top eCommerce trends to watch to stay ahead of the competition in 2021.
1. Voice Commerce
The number of consumers having voice assistant devices in their homes is expected to reach 75% in the United States by the year 2025. More and more people are using products like the Amazon Echo, Google Home or the Apple HomePod. Voice search is something 2021 eCommerce businesses need, in order to not be left behind. People expect to be able to ask their smart assistant anything and get a response. If you want your eCommerce store to be more accessible to the users and provide a better experience, consider taking advantage of the voice search technology.
2. Omnichannel Shopping
Omnichannel chopping is when customers use various devices and channels for their shopping. As an eCommerce business, you need to be able to provide excellent customer experience across all devices and platforms if you want to increase your sales. Some people use their mobile devices to research products and then make a purchase on their laptop. Use online analytical tools to track the users’ behavior and offer more relevant product recommendations, retain their cart etc. to give them a smooth user experience.
3. AI & AR Technologies
The next one of the newest emerging trends is the use of Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Machine Learning in eCommerce sites. Why? Well, especially since most brands have been forced to close down their stores and move their operations to the online, digital space, it can be hard to still offer the same buying experience. With AI, AR and ML technologies, the eCommerce industry can offer a more personalized customer experience and enable customers to see products in almost the same way as in traditional retail stores.
Implementing those technologies can help you increase conversions and sales as well as better attract and retain customers in your online store. It’s especially helpful for any business with an unusual product that might need help for people to understand it. Using digital tools like AR and AI combined with an excellent marketing strategy, helpful content and social media marketing will enable your business to better explain the product and the vision behind it.
4. New Payment Methods
Most online businesses already offer digital payment methods like Apple and Google Pay. However, we can notice more people using alternative digital payment methods like cryptocurrencies to purchase products and services online. If it’s the first time you’ve heard about using cryptocurrencies in your online eCommerce store, let me tell you about the benefits. Implementing those payment options is great because of the low transaction fees and other benefits like no reverse sales. As an eCommerce owner you need to watch this trend carefully and consider implementing it in your eCommerce site.
5. Dynamic Pricing
This trend is one of the best way for retail businesses to get in front of the competition and provide better user experience. The best price for a product maximizes the chance of a customer buying it while maximizing your business’s profit. Right now, there’s a lot of online software available to make those decisions for you. These apps provide real time insights into the customer behavior, eCommerce competitors and their prices, the demand for products etc. Based on that, the software will help you get your pricing just right.
6. Mobile Shopping
We all have mobile devices. Everything is on its way to becoming more and more mobile-friendly. Most businesses have already caught on and realized how many consumers use their phones to make purchases. However, if this trend seems brand new to you and you haven’t really optimized your shopping experience for mobile devices – it’s time make it happen this year.
7. Strong Focus On Sustainability
This one trend is something that has impacted many industries. Customers and brands are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment. Sustainability is one of the trends that will definitely continue through 2021. Even brands like Amazon have taken a stance and declared to be carbon-neutral by 2040. While you don’t need to make bold declarations, it’s important that you acknowledge your eCommerce store’s impact on the environment and make it a point to improve. Even simple things like not adding paper receipts to orders can bring you closer to the new, green customer. Take initiative and analyze where you can introduce improvements. Make sure. you inform the consumers about your actions through digital marketing and your brand content.
8. Social Media Shopping
Social commerce is a relatively new phenomenon. This one refers to customers shopping through social media platforms. eCommerce platforms like Shopify are already adapting to this trend. For example, Shopify is introducing better integration for TikTok commerce as well as Google and Facebook commerce. There’s been more and more features that make it easier for consumers to shop online. We have Facebook Shops, where customers can browse products directly on Facebook and easily check out with Shopify. There’s also a new Instagram Shopping tab as well as a new live shopping feature where brands can show off their products during lives and consumers can make a purchase directly there.
9. More Creative Marketing
In 2021 we can expect eCommerce brands to really get creative with their digital marketing, content marketing, campaigns etc. We could see how more and more brands used CGI and 3D in their marketing last year, and experts believe this trend will continue on. Especially without the traditional shopping experience the customers are used to, brands have turned to social media and other unconventional mediums for their marketing. Look for a way to engage with your marketing campaigns in a surprising way. This will engage your customers and help your brand stand out among other eCommerce business owners.
10. Help Your Customers
One of the trends continuing this year is helping your customers. Whether it’s through marketing campaigns explaining the product, customer service or helpful content – you need to make customers feel secure with your products. eCommerce brands with outstanding customer service that go out of their way to help the consumers after the purchase are bound to have more sales and see more engagement. Put a strong focus on spending the time to listen to your consumers and ensure your eCommerce brand responds to their needs.
Preparing For eCommerce Trends 2021 Will Bring
eCommerce is always changing and there’s constantly new trends coming and going. Online brands have always been innovators when it coms to customer experience and their marketing. If you want your eCommerce brand to see more sales this year and get more loyal consumers, try to adapt to these eCommerce trends. It doesn’t matter what products your business is selling – whether they’re digital products (in the form of content, like eBooks etc.) or physical products. As long as you listen to the consumers and tailor your business to take their needs into account you can count on your eCommerce business to succeed. If you’d like to learn more about marketplaces and how to launch an online business – check out our eBook “Everything You Need To Start An Online Marketplace Business”.
If you’re looking for a partner to help you grow your eCommerce retail business in 2021 and help you implement those trends – contact us and let’s take your product to the next level!
