Offering customers the experience and products they're looking for is vital to success in any industry. When eCommerce trends shift, it's important to be aware of where they're going and what they’re moving away from. But what are the most recent trends, and how can you apply them?
4 eCommerce trends to consider
Mobile compatibility
Out of all eCommerce trends, mobile compatibility is currently at the top. You simply can't ignore the sheer volume of purchases being made on mobile devices, and if you do, you’re asking to fall behind. Constantly being on the go forces people to utilize technology other than their personal computers. If your site isn't optimized for mobile browsing, you’re telling customers you don’t care.
Responsive web design is taking over. Customers need to be able to quickly access and navigate your site from whatever device they’re on. If they're unable to easily navigate, they’ll almost instantly move on to the next option.
Personalization
When looking at eCommerce trends, it's important to think about how you can apply them to your products. You might not realize something like personalization can be adapted to your business, but think outside the box. Giving customers the option to personalize their purchase adds to the consumer/company relationship, even though it might be something as simple as adding a name or message.
Additionally, allowing customers some creative freedom can help them feel like they’re getting more for their money and is an option eCommerce stores can provide that traditional stores cannot.
Shipping speed
eCommerce trends tend to reflect societal trends. For example, how can a customer enjoy their purchase if they have to wait a long period of time for it? Maybe they purchased something Monday morning they need for the upcoming weekend. It does them no good if the only shipping option takes anywhere from 7-10 business days. We’re an instant gratification society and eCommerce sites should cater to this.
Offering faster shipping is enticing to customers and encourages them to order from you rather than seek out a store offering the same products. Additionally, free shipping is becoming more popular and has been proven to encourage sales.
Social interaction
If eCommerce trends reflect societal trends, there's a good chance they're really going to correspond with online trends. Consider the ever-growing popularity of social media and content marketing. It's important for businesses to be keenly aware of how to interact with people on these sites and how to educate them with content. Bland tweets and Facebook posts with no personality can actually be detrimental to business.
eCommerce is about building relationships; portraying a behind the times attitude can give the impression your company isn't open to fostering new connections. Engaging with people on social media sites is a great way to not only get your name out there, but also let the world know you’re not a robot. Plus, you can reduce the amount of time people spend searching by linking them directly to what they’re looking for.
eCommerce trends are always changing, but that doesn't mean they can't be tracked. Your customers will let you know what they want, you shouldn't ignore what they're saying. Whether it's repeated requests for certain features or people talking about what your competitors are doing, they’re an important resource to consider. Staying current is key to succeeding in the ever-changing eCommerce world.
