November 14, 2019
If retailers want to survive and thrive over the long run, it’s vital they take the right steps so that they don’t fall behind. The world of e-commerce is not static and hardly ever stands still; those who would like to get the best results possible are thinking ahead. As we all know, the easy availability of smartphones and other portable devices have changed the way consumers research products and shop online. Staying updated on the latest trends and positioning themselves ahead of the competition is companies with a digital presence maintain their success. Those who embrace change will have greater opportunity. With this in mind here are:
Six e-Commerce Trends To Watch
Taking a look at current and past e-commerce trends is a critical step for companies when they want to have an advantage over the competition. Many brands are setting up social media accounts to interact with their prospects. Doing so keeps potential customers engaged and motivated to take action. Also, beside paid digital advertising many companies turn to content marketing to keep their prospects interested in what they have to offer. Rather than just pitching a sale, those companies provide newsworthy and engaging content. Since when people shop online and can’t hold and feel things before they buy, sellers need to build trust at each step of the sales process. Sharing testimonials and including videos and pictures of their products helps do that.
Voice Shopping
With low-cost entry level devices like Amazon’s Echo Dot voice technology is already available for anyone.
The ability to buy products and services from a computer took convenience to a whole new level. Rather than getting in the car and driving to the store, people could purchase the things they needed with a few mouse clicks. The next step was when people achieved the ability to shop from their smartphones and other portable devices. Voice shopping is the next trend that will hit the market. Consumers can store their billing information and addresses in a digital assistant. When they are ready to buy an everyday item, they can tell their digital assistant to place the order. The digital assistant will listen to the command and place the order after the user confirms the command.
Augmented Reality
Best pupil in class = Ikea. With their Ikea Place app you can easily arrange Ikea furniture in your interior.
Augmented reality is another way for people to embrace the future of online shopping. Buying furniture or other items for the home online is easy, but people won’t always know how the thing they buy will look once they set it up. Augmented reality lets people see how their home will look once they complete the purchase.
With a smartphone or another portable device, consumers can see an augmented representation of the object in which they are interested. Doing so lets them decide if they like the way it will look if they add it to their collection. Companies that offer quality products can increase their sales with this method because it gives the shoppers
Virtual Reality
Online giant Alibaba recently took first steps into VR with their Virtual Reality Testing Ground
People have dreamt of virtual reality since the 1980s, if not earlier, and that dream has now come to life. By wearing a virtual reality headset people can enter a virtual world in supremely stunning 360° detail—and use that technology to shop online. Whether entering virtual shops or exploring items for sale, customers can experience virtual reality through hand sensors or controllers, they can even pick up and inspect virtual items before they decide to buy. People can then place the items they want into a virtual cart and complete the shopping process after submitting payment information.
3D Configuration
The Portapivot Door configurator – a B2B and B2C tool for tailor-made doors
Customers in need for tailor-made products like drawers, closets or even windows and doors typically have to visit specialized shops to learn what the possibilities are. Today, and increasingly in the future, 3D configurators are speeding up the process. By using 3D configuration, consumers can create a product that is the perfect match for them. All assets available are catalogued in easy-to-use interfaces empowering anyone to create the product that matches their every taste and need.
3D Customization
Mini Yours Customised – Order and customize personalized parts for your Mini.
Today’s consumers are increasingly drawn to personalized products which fit their needs. Retailers and digital outlets that address this demand can only gain market share. With 3D customization, customers can change the shape and add a personal touch to the product they want to buy with incredible results. Three-dimensional customization can be used for vehicles, tools, toys and much, much more. This ability lets people get products that meet their exact needs and situation,
providing them with stunning results. Customers who experience 3D customization for the first time are typically thrilled by what they can design and make, especially from the comfort of their own digital devices.
3D Printing
This products created by LeFabShop, a 3D Printing startup from Brittany, and Maison&Objet, an international furniture fair can be downloaded and printed on your desktop 3D printer.
Reviewing 3D printing and what it can do is another important step for anyone who wants to see the future of online shopping. When shoppers place a custom order, preferably through a 3D customization interface, the retailer can use 3D printing to create a customized product that is geared toward the needs of the shopper. This technology lets businesses create products on-demand that stand out from the rest.
Final Thoughts
The future of online shopping is closer than most people once thought and the possibilities are exciting. From 3D printers that can produce products at a fraction of the normal cost to virtual shopping experiences, profound changes are taking place. In addition to making the lives of shoppers much easier, these trends also help companies save time, money and energy, creating a win-win situation for everyone’s benefit.