As we approach 2024, it’s essential to stay on top of the upcoming trends that will shape the e-commerce industry. Customer care and shopping experiences have altered drastically over the last decade, with ecommerce being continuously influenced by technology, customer behaviours and digital directions. From clothing sites to wholesome electricals, the ecommerce industry is intensely broad and comes with a wave of techniques, design concepts, marketing solutions and principles. As we approach 2024, there is a selection of different trends for businesses to look out for and apply to their strategies in order to stay on top of competitors, achieve their goals and meet customer expectations.
Mobile shopping
With the majority of Brits owning a mobile phone and using it on a daily basis, why wouldn’t ecommerce businesses opt for mobile shopping? This new stream of shopping enables customers to purchase goods directly from their mobiles with a simple, convenient process that can be done at home, on the go, abroad or at work.
Using a mobile to browse and shop not only offers a streamlined checkout process but also gives access to additional features such as saved card details, apple/Google Pay, account information and tracking services. Many customers are opting for this method rather than a desktop or high street approach as it is simple, quick and secure.
Social commerce
Social media platforms are now more than digital photo albums and direct messaging. As technology has grown, socials have become a whole new space for communication, entertainment, shopping and business. Social-commerce allows customers to shop directly from their favourite platforms with Instagram and TikTok shopping being the top contenders. But as we enter the new year, other platforms may find ways they too can introduce ecommerce.
Social commerce isn’t just super convenient but has also offered an undeniable advantage in terms of customer service and responsiveness. Ecommerce businesses are now using systems such as live streams, direct messaging services or Q&A’s to answer customer questions and complaints promptly, something which websites struggle to compete with.
AI and machine learning
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are taking on new responsibilities every day and are offering new opportunities and techniques in a selection of different industries and services. In terms of ecommerce and the future of digital shopping AI is working by leveraging technologies and taking on tasks such as tailoring product recommendations, customising marketing campaigns and personalisation customer service.
Many ecommerce companies are already using AI-powered features such as chatbots and interactive communications however the possibilities this offers are endless and will be explored in greater detail throughout the next few years.
Voice search
The main thing about technology today is its ability to create simple, straightforward solutions that don’t require masses of human input or effort. Gaining plenty of popularity in the last few years, voice search has become something that many rely on on a daily basis for things such as communication and research.
In terms of ecommerce, voice commerce will become equally as valuable. It will be used by ecommerce businesses to find customers’ products and adapt to things such as long tail keywords, common questions and trending subjects.
Same-day delivery services
One major USP which ecommerce businesses could be investing in in the new year is same-day delivery services. Providing customers with convenience and efficiency, customers can completely rely on their ecommerce favourites for daily shopping and last-minute shopping. During busy periods such as Christmas, this could be the make-or-break between a customer buying from you and someone else.
Subscription services
We are already seeing the likes of Amazon offering subscription services for their products as a way to acquire more sales and retain their customers. This method is especially useful for goods and services that are used on a regular basis or are repeatedly bought. For example, businesses can benefit from this service through office supplies whilst regular customers can benefit from purchases such as cosmetics, stationary or cleaning supplies.
As businesses have access to analytics and data, they will begin to use these systems to learn about their customers and apply subscription alternatives in line with buyers’ habits and behaviours. For example, brands such as Boots could gather information about regular items that a customer buys and offer a monthly subscription so that they don’t have to keep remembering to order them. Many businesses also apply a discounted rate to this method as they are gaining regular sales and retaining customers.
Second-hand marketplaces
Creating sustainable solutions for ecommerce is a huge responsibility that both businesses and customers are homing in on. Many businesses are opting for more eco-friendly approaches, setting certain targets and working on a more sustainable future which has led to a rise of second-hand marketplaces including Depop and Vinted. There has also been an influx of customers using these marketplaces to find and buy products but also sell their own.
2024 will see fast fashion and large-scale brands using this trend to reignite their products whilst also communicating their values and goals in an active way. One of the most recent examples is the fast fashion brand PrettyLittleThing which created its PLT marketplace to re-sell products and improve its sustainable efforts.
Ecommerce solutions by Imaginaire
As e-commerce experts, we have a selection of services that can help your e-commerce business grow. You’ll benefit from an agency that doesn’t just think about design when it comes to your store, we also think about how to build it effectively to maximise its SEO potential. If you have a new brand which you’d like to launch an ecommerce, or if you already have a website, but you’d like to re-design and rebuild it, we’d love to help.
Contact our team on 0115 697 1221 to enquire and get started!
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