eCommerce trends you should look out for

Simply put, eCommerce is the method of selling goods or services online. It has been a factor of the majority of websites for many years, but it has come to prominence in a massive way since the COVID-19 pandemic left many people stuck at home. That left us all ordering things online that we never used to, and businesses put a new value on their eCommerce offerings.

It remains to be seen what the long-term effects of lockdowns are likely to be, but there is a good chance that the shopping habits of many people will have changed for good. This means that there is huge growth available in eCommerce as we sit in a more digital world, and those who have not yet embraced it may find that they are forced to if they want to keep up with their competitors.

To dive deeper into eCommerce trends you should be looking out for, Senior Graphic Designer of SOS Wholesale, Claire Shaw explains further.

First port of call

Not being able to visit shops has meant that the internet is now our first port of call when looking for many brands or items. Previously, we might only have looked online if we had failed to find something on the high street, but this priority now seems to have shifted. Keeping on top of these changing customer behaviours is important in order to win their business. Many businesses are now seeing new demographics using online shopping for the first time and are having to factor them into their plans.

Understanding how and why customers come to your website is the best way to ensure that you keep on top of changing trends and keep your sales high. Online shopping has become much easier in recent years, and that adds a level of comfort to the shopper that makes them go online first. By making your website customer-friendly you can ensure you are chosen in place of some of the more cumbersome sites.

The COVID landscape

COVID changed so much of the world, and the internet felt the impact of this. The convenience it offered will have won shoppers over for good, but this has also led to the growth of mobile commerce as well. Sales made through mobile devices is increasing rapidly, so ensuring that your eCommerce setup is designed to work fluidly with all devices is vital.

Whilst the shift towards online shopping has come from all ages, the younger generations are responsible for the greatest proportion of it and seem to be spending the most money. This has contributed to the rise of shopping through social media, as automatic buying options have now been added to some of the biggest platforms.

Going green

It cannot be denied that the world is now moving towards a greener agenda, and consumers are taking environmental concerns into account when making buying decisions. Sustainable practices, fait-trade products and carbon off-setting are all things that customers will now look for in their brands.

There has also been a focus on purchasing from independent businesses rather than bigger chains. This has been part of an effort to support smaller businesses through the pandemic whilst looking for unique, ethical products. Independent businesses have always boasted a personal service but offering this online can be harder to achieve. Those businesses who are investing in personalisation tactics such as email messages, relevant discounts or engaging video content are more likely to win customers over.

The birth of the internet brought about massive changes to our shopping habits, but no-one could have predicted how this accelerated in 2020. These changes are now here to stay, and businesses need to keep up with the trends and habits of online shoppers in order to be successful.