Be an E-Commerce Trendsetter – 2019 E-Commerce Trends

The digital world is constantly evolving and changing. As new trends emerge, it can be overwhelming to stay abreast of all the new developments and make sure your e-commerce site is up to date. We’ve put together 8 trends that are set to change the way we shop online in 2019.

Posted 4 years ago by Tatiana Dudin

There are plenty of fads that don’t stick around. Take virtual reality for example. It’s an amazing technological advance, but the equipment is not accessible to the regular person. So as useful as it would have been for online shopping, it’s not a trend that had longevity and was sustainable in the long run. While online technological advances can be unpredictable, we’re pretty sure these trends will last in 2019 and beyond.

Learn about how mobile, video and even the environment are all part of the evolution of online shopping. Stay ahead by implementing and considering some of these trends.

1. Mobile Conversions

Mobile shopping is not a trend exactly, because it has been an integral part of online shopping for years. But it’s set to grow. A study by statista.com predicts that by 2021, 73% of all-e-commerce sales will be made via cell phones.

As mobile technology evolves, more and more shoppers feel comfortable buying online rather than waiting to see the product on a desktop. Therefore, it’s imperative to have a responsive and well-designed mobile site.

2. Conversations + Chatbots

This aspect of customer service is also not new but is on the rise. Finding the right moment to start talking to customers gives businesses the opportunity to tailor the shopping experience. The conversation is the way to personalization and when shoppers want to reach out, they often turn to Facebook messaging or a site’s online chat.

Chatbots are one of the newest ways shoppers can talk to a company. Most can have sophisticated conversations, like welcome conversations and point customers to products they are looking for, but they are limited logically. AI chatbots, on the other hand, can understand a customers’ intents, desires and requests by learning from each customer’s conversation.

Whether you use Chatbot AI or live operators, make sure they function and connect with your customers.

3. Video content

Time and time again, video content has been proven to be an effective way to turn browsing visitors to loyal customers. It builds trust by allowing consumers to see the product in action. When creating videos, make sure they are well-produced and professional. If you don’t believe us, maybe you’ll change your mind after learning that most of the top online retailers use video to boost revenue.

4. Global Personalization

Multi-language and multi-currency options are something to consider in today’s global world. Shopify allows merchants to offer shoppers familiar payment options in the currencies they are used to, instead of being restricted to the retailers’ local currency and paying high conversion fees. Language localization is also an option, and for those thinking of expanding their business globally, a necessity.

5. Physical Connection

Alternative options like pop-up shops, guide-stores and one-time events are exciting new ways online stores can connect with their customers. It’s an excellent way to showcase products in a physical sense without paying the overhead costs associated with permanent stores.

Brazilian fashion start-up Amaro, for example, has physical locations called guide-shops. Nothing is for sale there – instead, shoppers try on clothes and then get them delivered to their home.

6. Environmental Impact

Packaging, carbon footprints associated with delivery and other environmental costs are on consumers’ minds. Unnecessary packaging and too much plastic can lead to bad reviews, even if your product is great. Consumers may ask themselves questions like “How and where is this product made?” and “Is this giant box really needed?”.

Use as little packaging materials as necessary and clearly label your efforts to let consumers know your business is doing its part for the environment. Appeal to the consumer’s environmental consciousness to stand out from competitors.

7. UX and the Complete Experience

User Experience, or UX, is not a new term. Its importance, however, has grown exponentially this year. The journey a customer takes through your site, from the landing page to the checkout process must be seamless.

Frustrated visitors will leave a website if they can’t find something, if the checkout process is too complicated or if the website is hard to navigate. Avoid these pitfalls and educate yourself on the issue here.

8. Voice Search

Talking is easier than typing and ComScore predicts that by the year 2020, 50% of all online searches will be performed with voice search. This could be very important for keywords on your site. Since voice search tends to be longer than typed ones, consider optimizing your product descriptions. They should be descriptive, but brief. Find out how here.

So, is your business on-trend for some of the above? If not, remember, the year is not over yet! There is still time to implement some of the amazing technology that’s available for e-commerce businesses. Always improving your site for your customers is key for staying current and standing out from competitors. Take a look at some of our services.

You need something we do not offer? Please check out Best E-Commerce Software Development Companies here.