The days where you could still shop from a catalogue or by phone are dying out. Admittedly, most seniors still receive the household catalogue but younger generations moved to the digital sphere a long time ago. E-commerce has revolutionized the way people shop and interact with retailers. More importantly, online shopping has continued to evolve and embrace the latest tech innovations, such as adding Paypal as a payment options or dealing with customer complaints and queries directly on social media. As smart technology, payments and interactions are reshaping the household and social behaviors; they also define new trends for the E-commerce sector.
#1. Get your web design up to date
As a rule of the thumb, E-commerce websites are the most popular sites. They receive high amounts of visitors throughout the day, with peak at sale periods. Needless to say, these web users are becoming especially sensitive to the design and the functions of online shopping sites, even more as the appearance of the site can help to increase online conversions. In short, online retails will need to up their web design game and offer an aesthetically pleasing site to their visitors. Videos will multiply on the page, and will be used not only to boost the brand but also to display the products from a variety of angles. The typical catwalk presentation jumps to mind for fashion e-retailers. Subtle scrolling effects that let the text scroll over a fix background will also make a statement in introducing new brands and launching sale events. And finally, how can we ignore it? Absolute mobile friendliness is now expected from all E-commerce sites. Visitors have no patience for non-responsive website anymore.
#2. Complex processes made simple
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Complex programming and coding are not new, and a lot of online functions are already on E-commerce sites such as filter options and products comparison. But it’s now time for all online retailers to embrace extensive shopping features and offer their visitors a website that helps them find the right product. This means that small e-retailers need to embrace E-commerce tools such as Magento, and rely on the Magento managed support and maintenance services from certified professionals if they don’t have the skills in-house. Online shoppers expect to be able to filter using product features, product comparison, prices, and reviews.
#3. Social shopping is a thing
E-commerce sites that are not yet active on social media need to boost their online presence. Online engagement is a major selling strategy, especially as more and more brands are looking at social shopping approaches. Not only do e-retailers have to engage in a two-way exchange with their shoppers – this includes sharing exciting content and tips, and answering queries – but they also need to make the most of the demographics available to let satisfied customers share their experience.
#4. VR shopping for modern customers
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The virtual reality technology is not just a gaming trend. While some online retailers have integrated augmented reality in their catalogues, such as IKEA, others now are considering the addition of VR innovation. Using an open VR standard, you can allow for interactive graphics to be displayed within a VR headset, letting potential customers check whether a new sofa would fit in their living room, for instance. While it might seem like an unnecessary move, mobile VR headsets are affordable enough for modern households to join the movement.
#5. Cryptocurrency payments
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What payment methods should online shopping sites support? Online card payments and Paypal are a minimum. But the new trend is for a Bitcoin payment service. Indeed, as cryptocurrency transactions are becoming more popular, it’s time for online shoppers to use their Bitcoin currency to purchase their products. The safest approach is to rely on third-party payment processors, such as CoinBase or BitPay, which offer plugins supporting E-commerce activities. Ideally, e-retailers might need a crash course in the crypto market to understand the full potential of the new currency.
#6 . One-click checkout
Finally, the go-to online retailer for all online shoppers is Amazon. Not only does the E-commerce giant offer a lot of same-day and next-day delivery options, but the shopping experience is simplified to the maximum. Most shoppers appreciate the suggestions display showing what other users who bought the same items also bought. Additionally, there’s the option to order with only one click, using the app. Naturally, only registered users can use the one-click checkout, but it’s easy to see how such an option can increase conversions.
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Online shopping is not just a form of transaction. It’s an experience that needs to respond to the online behavior of modern web users, from their favorite online payment method to their expectations in terms of web design.