The eCommerce industry has gained popularity recently, especially after the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has urged customers to shift towards online shopping from brick-and-mortar stores. As more and more people started moving towards online shopping, eCommerce business owners began seeking ways to improve the customer experience and enhance brand awareness.
Thanks to the digital transformation. Today, attracting and engaging with customers has become easier than ever. Those who have invested in digital transformation have been able to capitalize on interesting new opportunities, including endeavors into eCommerce.
Know that eCommerce is an ever-changing industry. Several new trends come up every year, allowing business owners to stand apart – and 2022 is not an exception. Thus, you need to adapt to these new trends to survive in this competitive industry.
Top 7 eCommerce Trends For 2022
What will happen to global eCommerce as we have successfully entered into the third roller coaster year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic? How can eCommerce store owners reap the benefits of the modern trends of 2022? If these questions are spinning in your head, then you’ve arrived at the right place!
This article will discuss some of the upcoming trends that will define eCommerce in 2022. Curious to know what these are? So, let’s get going:
- Voice Search Will Rule The Industry
It’s no secret that most online shoppers are already leveraging voice search to search for a product or service. According to Juniper Research, voice eCommerce sales are set to reach $19.4 billion by 2023.
These numbers indicate that voice search will rule the eCommerce industry in the future. You cannot afford to lose this trend. Voice assistants help online shoppers. No wonder voice assistants like Apple Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google assistant have gained popularity.
Know that if you haven’t optimized your website for voice search yet, then it’s high time. Otherwise, you will miss out on many opportunities to drive sales and maximize revenue.
Some of the benefits of voice search include:
- It offers a personalized shopping experience to online shoppers
- It is time-efficient
- It enables smart online shopping[Text Wrapping Break]
Therefore, initiate your voice search optimization journey by optimizing your keywords for questions. Today, most users who conduct voice searches often use a question to search for a product or service. For example, they might type “Best shoes in LA,” but while conducting a voice search, they may say something like, “where can I find the best shoes in LA?”
By optimizing your website for voice search, you will successfully accelerate your sales and maximize revenue.
2. Personalization Is The Key To Drive Conversions
Personalization plays a crucial role in driving more conversions and enhancing brand awareness. Not only can it drive more sales, but help you establish relationships with your potential customers.
Offering customers the products they are looking for should be your priority. On the other hand, poor recommendations can frustrate the customer, and they might leave your website without taking any action.
So, how to enhance the customer shopping experience? Know that automation is here to stay, and it can do wonders for your eCommerce business. With that in mind, you need to integrate smart features in your website, such as chatbots, and leverage tracking technologies to recommend products based on their historical data.
Additionally, you can send personalized messages and emails to your customers to boost sales opportunities. With the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), you can send bulk emails to your customers regarding new product launches, season discounts, limited-time offers, etc.
3. Stand Out On Social Media Platforms
Indeed, social media is the best place to attract and engage potential buyers. According to eMarketer, more than 30% of online users buy a product directly from social media, and this number will triple in 2022.
The numbers don’t lie: you can’t afford to miss the opportunity of social shopping. More and more online shoppers plan to buy a product directly through the app in 2022. Therefore, leveraging social media can be your wise move to engage with customers and drive sales.
Today, more and more eCommerce companies use TikTok to market their products. It is gaining popularity among eCommerce store owners as they easily run paid ads displayed on the users’ news feeds. Also, they are styled in like the other content they consume on the platform.
Another trend on social media is live shopping. It will gain huge popularity in 2022 as platforms like Instagram and Facebook have their live streaming features.
Many big players, such as Avon, Uniqlo, Tommy Hilfiger, etc., have been using this feature for years and are generating good results. However, the good news is that now this technology is accessible for brands of all sizes.
4. Implement The Best Customer Retention Strategies
Content will remain the king – it will help you stand out from your competitors. No matter what industry you are in, implementing the best customer retention strategies should be your priority. With that in mind, let’s look at some customer retention strategies that will rule the eCommerce industry in 2022 and beyond:
- Customer Onboarding – Creating a great customer onboarding experience can help you understand your brand. Sending a plain text email won’t work – and keeping quiet can make the customer feel ignored. You can send a tutorial video explaining how to use your product to customers. This will help you successfully retain customers and establish relationships.[Text Wrapping Break]
- Keep Them Informed – Keep the customers informed about new product launches, new partnerships, future goals, etc.[Text Wrapping Break]
- Offer Surprise Gifts And Discounts – Customers want to feel more valued by a brand. One of the best ways to appreciate your customers is by sending surprise gifts and offering discounts on the products they usually purchase from you.[Text Wrapping Break]
- Use Gamification – Gamification is a powerful strategy to retain loyal customers. You can offer them a discount on products when they refer your products to a friend or relative. Also, you can reward them with a redeemable point for each purchase.
5. Expanding Your Business With Omnichannel Selling
Limiting your marketing strategy only on one platform won’t help you accelerate your sales. Instead, expanding your eCommerce marketing strategy across multiple marketplaces can do wonders for your business.
8 out of 10 online shoppers are less likely to initiate their purchasing process until they see a product across different marketing platforms. Additionally, most online shoppers visit social media platforms to research the product and read customer reviews.
Therefore, in 2022, omnichannel marketing will play a crucial role in accelerating eCommerce sales. Expanding your marketing strategy on different platforms can also help you attract new customers.
6. VR Technology For Product Visualization
VR refers to Virtual Reality, allowing users to get a 360-degree view of products, videos, and photos online. In 2022, more and more retailers must use this powerful trend to offer a smart in-store experience.
Virtual showrooms allow customers to visit your store virtually from the comfort of their homes. They can browse through clothing racks, similar to being inside a store.
Another advantage of VR technology is that customers can try products virtually before purchasing. For example, most eyewear businesses use VR technology to try multiple eyewear and sunglasses virtually and can choose from a wide range of options. Such modern technologies promise to enhance the customer experience and help business owners to improve brand reputation.
7. Deliver A Tremendous Mobile Shopping Experience
Mobile shopping allows users to purchase products/services via their smartphones. However, most online users say it isn’t safe online purchasing. They are worried that the app or website will store their data or bank details.
During the pandemic, mobile sales surged. Today, mobile shopping offers top-notch security to users. More people are considering mobile purchases. After all, customers are impatient and prefer mobile shopping.
However, most people access a website through their smartphones and tablets. For that reason, having a mobile-friendly website is a must. Some of the benefits of a mobile-friendly website include:
- Enhance user experience
- Exceptional brand visibility
- Improve mobile conversion rate
- Increase user engagement
Conclusion
The eCommerce industry will continue to evolve. However, as new trends come up every year, business owners must adapt to such changes to accelerate sales and outrank the competitors. Leveraging modern tools and technologies improves conversion rate and attracts new buyers.
The eCommerce trends mentioned above aim to enhance the users’ shopping experience. Before deciding which one to follow, ensure a detailed analysis to see whether you can achieve your desired business goals. You can also take customers’ feedback by taking their feedback.
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