Trends are always changing and with ecommerce, trends are no different. It is important to keep watch of the emerging trends for you ecommerce environment. Online shopping is on the rise but what else should you be looking for in 2016?
Mobile commerce will continue to grow
It is necessary to have a mobile store – this isn’t exactly old news. As an online retailer, you are bound to notice the importance of having a mobile site – in 2016; not accommodating to this trend will be the downfall of online stores across the globe.
Customers are still using desktops as their final destination to purchase products. Many users browse products on their phones or tablets but will finalize their purchases later on a desktop. Since many users use all different kinds of electronics, be sure that your site is responsive for all resolutions and mediums – phone, tablet, and desktop.
Such features will keep your customers coming back. Google Analytics will give you a good idea of how many customers are browsing your site on their phones. This number may just take you by surprise.
Multi-Channel Shopping
Online shopping is no longer done on just a desktop. Many customers may browse on the desktop at work, then on their smartphone on break and on their laptop or a tablet at home in the evening. These multi-channel shoppers shop more often and will spend over 3 times more than your single-channel shoppers.
So, even if customers aren’t purchasing from their desktop computers, several of them will use their cell phones or tablets to view, research and make their decisions. This is why online stores now and in the future need to be flexible and responsive.
Social Selling
Social media marketing has advanced much farther along than just networking. Social commerce is growing to create a shopping experience without leaving your social media platforms. By using social networks, ecommerce businesses can get more exactly information, like demographics. Having this information will help you promote products or special offers all via social networking.
TagTray is a good example of this. You can create a shoppable feed generated from photos from Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and add it on your website.
Take a better look at social commerce options and see what channels may work best for your business.
Online Loyalty Programs
Online loyalty programs have been becoming more of an impact on ecommerce stores and are trending to hit big in 2016. Limiting loyalty programs plastic membership cards is a thing of the past. By using online loyalty programs, you are more likely to retain customers and encourage repeat purchases.
Incorporating your loyalty program with your email marketing and social media is a great way to give exclusive offers and make your customer feel more included.
Beacon Technology
Beacon technology allows customers using their cell phones to ‘listen’ for signals transmitted with beacons placed in a physical environment. For example, a customer has to download your mobile app and when the customer enters your store, you can send them a notification to their phone about discounts.
This up and coming technology will allow you to accommodate the online and offline shopping experiences and engage your customers that are in-store through their mobile devices.
Target, Best Buy, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor have implemented beacons at their stores to combine the online and offline shopping experience. Keep in mind that the adoption rate for this trend is quite low but that could change in the upcoming year.
Are there any specific ecommerce trends you are looking forward to in 2016? Share you thoughts below!
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