When it comes to ecommerce, it’s either you keep up or get left behind. And let’s be honest, customers may not care about the future of retail, but they set the tone and therefore, create the future. Retail is fueled by their unchanging needs and expectations. But just being online isn’t enough anymore, consumers want to do business and interact with brands in their own time and own way.
The trends in retail and specifically ecommerce retail trends are ever-changing. Let’s take a look at the forecast for 2019.
Get smarter, go mobile
What’s easier than shopping with your laptop online? Hitting the “buy now” button on your smartphone, of course! According to SearchEngineLand, nearly 60% of the total Google searches are done with a mobile phone and 286% more products are browsed on apps than the web. What’s more is that it’s forecasted that in 2019, mobile ecommerce will reach $218 billion. In conclusion, you should go mobile, or go home.
Get real
Although the perks of online shopping outweigh those of traditional shopping, customers still want a personal touch. For 2019, it’s forecasted that approximately 45% of customers would prefer to buy from an ecommerce platform that is personalised. This could mean providing personal recommendations or offering exclusive deals based on a customer’s preferences. Including a “Your Wishlist” or “Your Collection” option makes for a personal touch.
Tap into your community
According to a Nielsen study, 83% of people are more likely to buy something because of a recommendation. An ecommerce trend for 2019 sees consumers turning to others for advice before making an online purchase. Adding a “product review” option and creating a social community draws customers in as it makes them feel like they are valued and that they have more of an input in their purchases. Besides this, it gets people talking about your business, which means more feet at your virtual door.