Mobile is on Move
Mobile is not the future of e-commerce world, it’s the present now. With each passing day, the number of smartphone users is rising, and the role of smartphone in e-commerce traffic is getting crucial, as customers in a large number are using smartphones for online shopping. The number of smartphone users for online shopping has crossed more than half of the world population. In a nutshell, smartphone users will be the centre of your business operations. Mobile optimization has a direct influence on the rank of your online store on any search engine, and mobile friendliness is now a prominent factor in the ranking algorithm.
Customized User Experience
The importance of allowing customization of the product is increasing. By customizing services, businesses reach the audience on any device that creates a smooth customer experience for them. A great way to personalize your user experience is to use contextual marketing to target your clients based on intent. Product customization makes customers’ purchase convenient, it has the potential to remove the hassles of online purchase and caters to the needs of today’s buyers. By focusing on greater immediacy and relevance, businesses can easily improve response rates, conversions, and revenue.
Voice Searches
Various voice-activated devices like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Assistant generate massive buzz in the e-commerce industry. These virtual assistants have been training customers to use their voice for their search on search engines. With time, voice search will be one of the significant innovation drivers for e-commerce. Voice searches make online shopping simpler by curating recommendations and search results specifically for the user. For example, advanced voice assistants can match foods according to dietary preferences. Voice searches also make it easier for customers to perform their repetitive tasks efficiently.
Growth of Mobile Apps and E-wallet Technology
Another important e-commerce future technology is the use of e-wallet apps to ease payments. You need to integrate the functionality of a mobile wallet to your business website. Besides, you should think about the launch of a mobile application for your online business. It is more convenient for shoppers to purchase online using a mobile app, as it gives a more mesmeric atmosphere for them. Building an app interface allows an easier shopping experience where your users can browse and shortlist their items effectively. Your mobile app is like a departmental store while the website is like a pop-up shop.
Greater Use of Big Data and Analytics
Choosing big data analytics helps companies track the user buying experience to improve engagement and convert more clients. Furthermore, this technology makes precise e-commerce predictions for the future based on reliable data that it collects from your users intuitively. Analytics also aids optimal price formulation and targeted service improvements to boost sales.
Adoption of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Searches
Artificial intelligence is profoundly impacting almost all the industries, and e-commerce is no exception. E-commerce business owners can now get smart predictions of market trends through multiple channels, such as consumer data, social media data, surveys, and from financial institutions. Optimizing the search results inside the website helps customers locate your products through texts, voice, and images effectively. E-commerce firms can also use AI’s face recognition techniques to capture physical store customer’s data as potential buyers. The inclusion of AI in customer service by using virtual assistants helps businesses simplify their processes and provide enhanced client experience.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality has already stirred the gaming sector in a big way. This revolutionary technology superimposes digital information onto the physical environment, thereby opening great opportunities for better consumer experiences. AR provides an interactive virtual window shopping in a more engaging way so that shoppers can browse through various products as though they are present there. Today, shoppers are not fully confident in evaluating and envisioning the sense of using a product while shopping online. Augmented reality bridges this gap significantly by way of helping users visualize the products they’re considering to buy.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Internet of Things (IoT) is an obvious catalyst of this trend. IoT is a network of distinct internet-enabled devices (physical), software and sensors that share data and exchange information between apps or users.IoT represents a paradigm shift that will help retail and e-commerce businesses to carry on their operations efficiently.
Use of Social Media as a Marketing Tool
87% of online shoppers believe social media helps them decide their purchases. With higher social media consumption, brands are switching to popular social media tools to reach out to their target audience. Many platforms provide link embedding features to boost sales through social media. Brands can sponsor social media influencers to create a great impression and grow business organically.
