You may already have these on your mind but these trends will have an impact on your eCommerce strategy in the not to distant....
1. Social commerce
Social commerce is the use of social media platforms to sell products and services. This trend is growing rapidly, as more and more people are using social media to shop. In fact, a study by eMarketer found that social commerce sales are expected to reach $327 billion in 2023.
There are a number of ways to use social commerce to boost your sales. One way is to create social media posts that promote your products or services. You can also use social media to run contests and giveaways, or to connect with influencers who can promote your products to their followers.
2. Live streaming
Live streaming is another trend that is quickly gaining popularity in the eCommerce world. This allows businesses to connect with potential customers in real time and answer their questions about products or services. Live streaming can also be used to showcase new products or to host Q&A sessions with experts.
3. Chatbots
Chatbots are computer programs that can simulate conversation with human users. This technology is being widely adopted by ecommerce businesses to provide customer service, answer questions, and make sales. Chatbots can be used to automate tasks that would otherwise require human intervention, such as answering frequently asked questions or processing orders.
Paul Sanderson, Director
“Whilst we believe that Chatbots are developing at a rate we have never seen before and therefore increasing efficiency and response times for businesses. Do not forget the end user. Chatbots can be extremely beneficial in answering functional queries regarding the search for information, they cannot replace human intervention. If a customer in unhappy and their issue is very specific/unique it is very unlikely a customer will be happy with an automated response. Empathy and human interaction are vital to customer service and if customers are to be retained they will still need ‘that personal touch’ to ensure they are being heard”
4. Artificial intelligence (AI)
AI is another technology that is having a major impact on the ecommerce industry. AI can be used to personalize shopping experiences, recommend products, and even generate content.
Paul Sanderson, Director
“A significant discussion is ongoing at the moment with the role of AI. With various opinions being shared on the impact it will have.
I personally look at this differently and view AI as ‘Transformative’ technology. Use AI to support and help your business as well as driving efficiencies. Business Transformation and Digital Transformation have been around long enough with a mix of success in their adoption and implementation. Defining the role of AI in these programs can only help in my opinion. I don’t think it is developed enough to fully define these projects but support and help in making them be successful”
5. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR)
VR and AR are two technologies that are still in their early stages, but they have the potential to revolutionize the ecommerce industry. VR can be used to create immersive shopping experiences that allow customers to virtually try on clothes or test drive cars. AR can be used to overlay digital information on the real world, which can be helpful for things like product assembly or furniture placement.
6. Sustainability
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers, and ecommerce businesses are taking notice. Many businesses are now offering sustainable products and services, and some are even going so far as to offset their carbon emissions. Sustainability is a trend that is likely to continue to grow in the years to come.
These are just a few of the latest trends in ecommerce. By staying up-to-date on these trends, you can ensure that your business is ahead of the curve and ready to succeed in the ever-changing ecommerce landscape. For more information and to discuss please contact info@thecommerceteam.com
