The evolution of eCommerce has witnessed several significant changes since the birth of the internet. Not just in terms of technological functioning but also as a fundamental necessity that has impacted our culture in various ways, giving consumers more freedom. The internet permanently transformed retail, as it did to many other sectors.
The Covid-19 pandemic brought many changes and altered the ways we live or even shop. It caused chaos in a variety of businesses, including restaurants and entertainment, but not eCommerce. Online sales have been increasing progressively for some time, but the eCommerce sector boomed since Covid-19.
With that, perhaps you have noticed some attractive trends that have popped up since 2020. Let’s take a look at some of these trends for 2021 to boost sales:
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Buy Now, Pay Later
As the eCommerce industry gets more competitive each year, retailers attempt to differentiate themselves in the marketplace with the ‘buy now, pay later’ approach. Buy Now, Pay Later is a short-term micro-credit concept in which consumers pay little or no interest on transactions made on e-commerce platforms.
BNPL offers a seamless installment experience without the unpredictability of credit card debt, despite this installment-based payment option not being a new idea.
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Mobile shopping experiences
Mobile shopping is another rising trend in eCommerce. By the end of the year, mobile shopping is expected to increase by 15%, resulting in 73 percent of all eCommerce purchases coming from mobile phones. As a result, the firm must make sure that its applications and websites are mobile-friendly.
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VR Experience Trends
Have you seen Ikea’s newly embraced technology? IKEA, the Swedish furniture behemoth, is one firm that has already adopted this technology. Ikea’s app has built-in virtual reality (VR) that allows customers to test IKEA goods in real-time. Customers may choose from a variety of items available in the store. The software scans the space and produces a 3D representation of the object once the consumer picks it.
To improve the user experience for testing their goods, eCommerce businesses are forming more collaborations with VR and AR startups. This feature now connects the client to the product directly without leaving the comfort of their home. An innovative interaction that indeed adds enormous value to the customer’s purchase experience.
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Flexible Payment Options
Customers have different payment preferences, and they may cancel a prospective sale if they can’t pay as they want on an eCommerce site. Providing a choice of payment options is an excellent approach to boost mobile conversion rates. Customers will be able to checkout even faster the next time they make a purchase if they can save their payment information on your site.
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Sustainable Options, Responsible Shoppers
Climate change has also impacted the customers’ decisions in terms of their purchases. With that, consumers are now more conscious and on the lookout for more sustainable options. Hence, good brands are now under the immense process to look environment-friendly to make the customers look like responsible shoppers. With that, eCommerce firms should make an effort to create and offer environmentally friendly products and inform customers about them so that they will be more likely to purchase from their brands.
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Social Media Hype
Now more than ever, eCommerce sites need to leverage multi-channel platforms to reach more clients and create revenue. Facebook, Instagram, and the likes have grown significantly to the point that they now include purchase buttons that allow direct transactions.
Ensure that your eCommerce shop is suitable for mobile devices, tablets, laptops, and other devices. It’s also beneficial to use various social media channels, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can also consider collaborating with a large online store such as Amazon or Etsy. Indeed, social media platforms are currently playing an increasingly important role in marketing to reach specific consumers.
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Chatbots Interactions
By combining the best of automation and personalization, chatbots are the most cost-effective way to manage and improve the consumer experience. Through chatbots, shoppers may easily ask inquiries and get recommendations while still feeling like they’re getting one-on-one service. Many chatbots are designed to seem like real people and engage consumers. And as a result, chatbots are becoming a more popular eCommerce trend for 2021.
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Amplified Use of AI
Customers may enjoy automated, tailored purchasing experiences thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. AI collects data on how customers shop when they make purchases and what they’re regularly searching for in a product or service. It’s a piece of technology that can’t be duplicated in a physical location.
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Personalized Customer Interaction
Last but another important trend to monitor in 2021 and beyond is personalization. Not only does it improve the shopping experience, but it also has a significant impact on sales. Why? Online retailers may use customers’ data to offer personalized experiences. Some examples of these are customized email notifications, shopping discounts, or even one-on-one product suggestions.
Final words
So, there you have it: a look at some of the many ways you may increase your eCommerce sales in 2021.
Whatever concepts you adopt, it’s important that you keep track of your progress and make adjustments as needed. After all, being stationary is the worst thing an eCommerce business owner can do.