Ecommerce is ever-changing. Not long ago, mobile technology disrupted the industry. Today, AI and other technologies shape how merchants present products and connect with customers.
As we look ahead, the future of ecommerce seems poised for even more innovation. From personalized shopping experiences to the seamless integration of virtual and physical retail, the next wave of change is just around the corner.
So, what does the future of ecommerce hold? In this article, you’ll learn about the factors set to redefine the online buying and selling of goods in the coming years.
Future ecommerce trends to watch out for
1. Rise of dark social
Ever stumbled upon a product recommendation in a WhatsApp chat or seen a brand being discussed in an email thread? That’s dark social, an emerging trend where content is shared through private, hard-to-measure channels. As it rises, it’s set to revolutionize both ecommerce and social commerce, amplifying the power of personal referrals and unearthing a wealth of untapped customer data.
Mastering the art of dark social is not just a competitive advantage, but a must-have strategy. Here are some tips to help you capitalize on this future trend:
- Discover the invisible: Adopt tools capable of tracking these hidden content shares.
- Boost shareability: Make your products irresistible for sharing on private channels.
- Foster communities: Form private groups or communities to keep the conversation going and gather valuable feedback.
2. Q-commerce growth
Another ecommerce trend on the horizon is Q-commerce, also known as quick commerce. Fueled by the likes of Amazon Prime Now and other innovative players, Q-commerce is revolutionizing the way products are delivered to consumers.
The concept is simple: fast and convenient delivery, sometimes within minutes. This trend has gained traction due to increasing consumer demand for immediate access to goods.
Businesses are pivoting to meet this demand. For example, the shopping app Need for It Tonight recently partnered with courier service Gophr to offer a 90-minute delivery service for fashion items.
As this trend gains traction, more businesses are expected to take steps like partnering with local delivery services and investing in last-mile logistics to provide quick and efficient deliveries.
3. Voice-enabled online shopping
In 2022, voice-activated devices were predicted to facilitate $40 billion worth of transactions. Compared to the 2017 figure of $2 billion for transactions made via voice search, this is a big increase.
How are shoppers most likely to use voice search? Narvar says 51% of shoppers use voice search to research items, while 36% use voice search to add relevant products to their shopping lists.
To adapt to the rising trend of voice commerce, consider optimizing your product information pages for common voice search commands. Below are some tips:
- Understand your customers’ phrasing: Voice searches are often conversational. Make sure your product descriptions mirror this style.
- Implement schema markup: Schema markup feeds detailed product information to search engines, improving your visibility for voice searches.
- Focus on local SEO: Many voice searches are local-oriented, such as “near me” queries. Optimizing your content for your location can boost your visibility in these searches.
4. Integrating shoppable videos
Ever spotted an item in a video and wished you could purchase it on the spot? Shoppable videos make that possible. They’re the trend that’s revamping ecommerce in 2023.
These videos put products a click away for social media users. It’s not just convenient and fast—it’s interactive. They’re transforming the online shopping experience into something truly immersive.
Brands like The Fresh Market, StolenStore, Angela Caglia, and Natori are ahead of the curve. They’ve seamlessly integrated shoppable videos into their platforms.
And the result? Enhanced user engagement. Effective product demos. Personalized ads. Shoppable videos aren’t just a trend—they’re the future of interactive ecommerce.
5. Embracing automation
Automation is poised to be a key element in the ecommerce market. Already, 61% of companies worldwide use some kind of automation software and tools. As its benefits become clear, more businesses are expected to invest in automation in the upcoming year.
For ecommerce businesses, automation stretches from marketing automation to warehousing and beyond. It’s a great choice because it frees employees’ time and resources for more important work.
For example, an ecommerce business that possesses large warehouses to carry out its operations can invest in robotics to become more efficient and free up staff to do more important tasks in the fulfillment process.
Supply chain management can benefit from automation software that can schedule inventory alerts for reordering when stock gets low.
The sky’s the limit for ecommerce businesses. With a little research, you can find software that streamlines and automates various processes.
6. Prioritizing sustainability
As consumers become vocal about climate change, more and more companies will have to develop initiatives around sustainability. Doing so can be good for business: Studies show that climate-first stores achieved 5.8 times faster growth and saw their conversion rates increase by 20%.
Although there are several ways to showcase sustainability, an easy route is to use sustainable packaging. Online store ASOS leverages this tactic to ensure customers are satisfied with the way it does business.
Whether it’s eco-friendly packaging or using suppliers that put climate first, finding ways to be more sustainable will be a crucial trend moving forward.
7. Device-first thinking
When it comes to mobile commerce, one thing is clear: There will be much more importance placed on the devices that buyers use when they’re shopping online.
But why exactly? It’s because brands want to provide native experiences in order to foster customer loyalty.
And it’s going to be fairly simple to please your audience if you’re running your store on Shopify.
You’ll have access to a wealth of themes built to ensure a seamless shopping experience, no matter which device your customers use.
Plus, you can easily check the adaptive version of your store’s design by simply resizing your browser—make it smaller when you’re on a desktop and you’ll see exactly what your tablet/mobile audience sees. This is one of the many perks of running your business through Shopify.
Need help picking a theme for your ecommerce store? Check out our guide on picking the best Shopify theme for your business.
8. Personalization
Personalization is no longer a luxury in ecommerce, it’s a demand.
Consider this: 76% of buyers prioritize brands that offer tailored communications. But it’s not about overcomplicating things—often simple gestures like a tailored email, a custom-made discount code, or other personal touches that make the difference.
So, the next step for online merchants? Prioritize personalization on your website, social media platforms, and other channels of communication.
9. Enhancing customer experience
Both the pre-purchase and post-purchase customer experiences are pivotal in determining the success rate of an online business.
Onboarding top-tier sales assistants who are adept at navigating customers through the sales journey can mitigate any potential apprehensions they might encounter.
Diligently reviewing your online sales process to match customer expectations is essential. This involves in-depth user testing of your sales channels and checkout procedures with real customers to detect and rectify any challenges they face.
Areas to focus on during user testing include:
- Your call to action
- The length of your checkout process
- The information asked for on the checkout page
- Your messaging
- Your product page flow
Actively refining these elements should help uplift your business’s customer experience.
10. Leveraging AI assistants
Ever thought about how chatbots evolved? They started as simple, fun site extras. Fast forward to today, and they’re the backbone of customer interaction, bridging the gap between businesses and clients, wherever they are in the world.
But here’s the part most people miss: The power of AI isn’t confined to conversation. It’s revolutionizing inventory management, streamlining reordering processes, and basically becoming the behind-the-scenes ninja every ecommerce owner wishes they had earlier.
Using Shopify? Take note of these AI apps—they could be the secret sauce your store needs.
11. Augmented reality to visualize purchases
One of the biggest disadvantages of ecommerce is that customers cannot try out the product before they buy it, like in a brick-and-mortar store. Typical consumer behavior shows that people are more satisfied when they can touch, feel, and try an item before investing in it.
On ecommerce websites, this experience is nearly lost, but technology is always one step ahead. With augmented reality technology, you can create an immersive shopping experience, where shoppers can engage with products before they buy them.
For example, Shopify AR allows brands to show customers their products in natural environments before buying them to ensure that the product fits the intended purpose. This helps customers make great decisions quickly when it comes to choosing a brand to buy from.
Interactive products through AR or VR is a new trend, but it is quickly being adapted within ecommerce brands to help customers choose the right product. If you are considering which ecommerce trend to be a part of, this is a good place to start.
Closing thoughts on the future of ecommerce
The future of ecommerce will undoubtedly be full of exciting changes and innovations for both businesses and buyers.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur or working at an ecommerce company, it’s important to keep your finger on the pulse when it comes to changes in the ecommerce landscape.
Our best advice is to keep on learning.
Read articles. Watch videos. Listen to podcasts.
Try to consume as much information as possible about the field of ecommerce—that’s how you’ll get an edge on your competition.
So, what do you think? Do you have any predictions for the future of ecommerce in 2024 and beyond?
Was there anything we missed that you’d like to learn more about? Let us know in the comments section below—we read them all!
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As an expert in the field of e-commerce, with a deep understanding of its evolution and current trends, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the concepts discussed in the article.
Firstly, the article rightly emphasizes the dynamic nature of e-commerce, showcasing how it has been shaped by technological advancements over the years. Mobile technology, AI, and other innovations have played crucial roles in transforming how merchants engage with customers.
Now, let's delve into the specific trends outlined in the article:
-
Rise of Dark Social:
- Dark social refers to the sharing of content through private and hard-to-measure channels like WhatsApp or email.
- The trend emphasizes the power of personal referrals and the potential for uncovering valuable customer data.
- Strategies for capitalizing on dark social include using tools to track hidden content shares, making products shareable on private channels, and fostering online communities.
-
Q-commerce Growth:
- Q-commerce, or quick commerce, focuses on fast and convenient product delivery, often within minutes.
- Examples like Amazon Prime Now highlight the increasing consumer demand for immediate access to goods.
- Businesses are adapting by partnering with local delivery services and investing in last-mile logistics for efficient deliveries.
-
Voice-Enabled Online Shopping:
- Voice-activated devices are facilitating a growing number of transactions, indicating the rise of voice commerce.
- Optimizing product information pages for voice search commands is crucial, considering the conversational nature of voice searches.
- Tips include understanding customer phrasing, implementing schema markup, and focusing on local SEO for voice searches.
-
Integrating Shoppable Videos:
- Shoppable videos enable users to purchase products directly from the video, creating an immersive and interactive shopping experience.
- Brands like The Fresh Market and Natori have successfully integrated shoppable videos into their platforms, leading to enhanced user engagement and personalized ads.
-
Embracing Automation:
- Automation is becoming a key element in e-commerce, with 61% of companies worldwide using some form of automation software.
- The benefits of automation range from marketing to warehousing, freeing up resources for more important tasks and increasing efficiency.
-
Prioritizing Sustainability:
- As consumers express concerns about climate change, companies are expected to develop sustainability initiatives.
- Sustainability can be showcased through various means, with sustainable packaging being a notable example.
-
Device-First Thinking:
- The importance of providing native experiences on the devices buyers use is emphasized.
- Platforms like Shopify offer themes that ensure a seamless shopping experience across different devices.
-
Personalization:
- Personalization is no longer a luxury but a demand, with buyers prioritizing brands that offer tailored communications.
- Simple gestures like tailored emails and custom discount codes contribute to effective personalization.
-
Enhancing Customer Experience:
- Both pre-purchase and post-purchase customer experiences are crucial for the success of an online business.
- Onboarding skilled sales assistants and continuously refining sales processes based on user testing contribute to a positive customer experience.
-
Leveraging AI Assistants:
- AI, particularly in the form of chatbots, has evolved into a crucial component of customer interaction.
- AI is not limited to conversation and is now revolutionizing inventory management and reordering processes.
-
Augmented Reality to Visualize Purchases:
- Augmented reality technology addresses the challenge of customers not being able to try products before purchase in e-commerce.
- Brands, such as those using Shopify AR, can create immersive shopping experiences where customers can engage with products before making a purchase.
In conclusion, the future of e-commerce is poised for continuous innovation, driven by these emerging trends. Staying informed and adapting to these changes will be essential for businesses and entrepreneurs in the dynamic e-commerce landscape of 2024 and beyond.
