24-hour availability, no need to visit the store in person and more attractive prices than those in stationary stores are some of the most important arguments for buying online. Online shopping can be done literally anywhere using a smartphone. Today, e-shops are perfectly refined for mobile users, and technology constantly improves the shopping experience. The mobile trend is one of the most important trends that will lead in 2023. However, it is not the only one. What other trends will lead in the coming months? Let's see what the predictions are for this year.
Multichannel is a very strong trend in online sales. It is impossible to sell optimally on the web based solely on the e-shop itself. An online store , regardless of whether it is based on an open source solution (e.g. Prestashop ) or SaaS (e.g. Shoper), must be treated as a starting point for effective sales. E-consumers use various tools, websites, social media, etc. They willingly look at marketplaces, seek advice from influencers, hunt for discounts by visiting websites offering discounts. Sealed sales on the Internet should use all possible channels, which are supposed to lead to increasing traffic in the online store and, above all, increasing conversion rates.
Smartphones are used for entertainment, watching movies, playing games, browsing social media, but also for work, thanks to advanced applications. Users are equally willing to use their phones to make purchases. Although the mobile trend has been going on for at least a few seasons, it is still very strong. Estimates of global sales predict that by 2024, global retail sales via smartphones will amount to approximately USD 4.5 trillion and will account for almost 70% of total online sales. Ignoring this trend is almost e-commerce suicide. In order to compete effectively on the e-market, an online store must be adapted to mobile devices.
Online buyers use a variety of payment methods, so it seems logical to implement all possible payment methods in the online store. We cannot limit ourselves in this matter, due to the fact that one group of customers will prefer cash on delivery, others BLIK, and others will be happy to take advantage of today's fashionable deferred payments. In the event that the online store does not provide alternative forms of paying for the order, most likely some visitors will resign from the purchase. And not only because they can't pay in their favorite way. The lack of various payment alternatives may also translate into a lack of trust, less credibility or an unfavorable image.
The potential of social media has been noticed by the e-commerce market quite a long time ago. The trails in the world of social media were blazed by Facebook, with time other media, such as Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, began their conquests, and now the triumphs of the saints TikTok. Admittedly, social media was initially used for purposes that were not directly related to sales. They were used to increase brand awareness, build trust or a positive image. In recent years, the trend of selling directly from social channels has also intensified. No wonder, currently over 4.5 billion people around the world use social media and this result will certainly not stop there. Accenture, conducting its research, estimates that by 2025, the revenue generated by social channels will almost triple, from almost USD 500 billion to USD 1.2 trillion.
Keep in mind, however, that not every channel will be appropriate for a given group of products, or this or that industry. Social media should be well analyzed to reach users who are really interested in the offer.
Environmental awareness has clearly improved in recent years. Today we know to what extent we harm the environment and how we can prevent it on a daily basis. We also expect the same from producers and sellers, the ecotrend does not bypass e-commerce either. E-consumers even force brands to adopt an ecological attitude and take actions beneficial for the environment. In the context of e-shops, an important issue is the method of delivery that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and what materials were used to pack the product. Issues such as local sourcing, various types of pro-social movements or the company's culture positively oriented towards ecology are not without significance. In the eyes of users, for example, campaigns thanks to which clothing or household appliances can be recycled are of great importance. Engaging in this type of action clearly translates into a trustworthy, positive image. The eco trend is a movement that will stay in the e-commerce industry (and not only) for good.
Re-commerce is a very rapidly developing branch of the ecological trend. It has also found its application in e-commerce. First of all, re-commerce refers to second-hand or outlet stores. This successful trend was slightly helped by the economic and economic crisis, which translated into an extraordinary inflationary leap, which resulted in an increase in capital and loan installments even by more than 100%. Strained household budgets and more and more responsibly made shopping have caused us to look for cheaper alternatives.
The demand for these alternatives was determined by the e-market, in which new online stores with second-hand clothes or clothes resell, e.g. older collections or exhibition clothing, began to emerge rapidly. The more so that the cost of setting up an online store does not have to generate large expenses. The entry threshold can be extremely low.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly supporting the e-commerce market. There are new, more and more perfect solutions. The potential of AI (artificial intelligence) is already so big today that it helps in everyday processes or increasing the efficiency of an online store.
Interestingly, AI is already so accessible today and present in many areas that we may not even realize that we use it or have contact with it. Visitors to the e-store do not have to be aware that the online store uses innovative AI technologies.
The e-market is constantly evolving. It is at the level of online sales that it is possible to create, test and effectively implement the latest technological solutions. Moreover, it is e-sales that determines the creation of new, innovative solutions. Trends change, some have been in operation for years and there is no indication that they will become a thing of the past. This year will probably be the year of artificial intelligence, which will accompany the trends known for years, such as multi-channel sales or mobile. Keep in mind, however, that not all trends will be appropriate for this or that industry. It is therefore worth analyzing which strategies and marketing activities will meet the needs of the online store.