Packaging / Advertising & Office

Since the first online store opened in the 1990s, e-commerce has undergone tremendous changes. So far, the most notable of all e-commerce trends is the industry’s growth rate. Today, the value of e-commerce is approximately US$2 trillion. Retail has never been so profitable as it is now, so top e-commerce software is becoming more and more popular among online retailers.

So what is the trend of e-commerce?

Among other things, a survey revealed that people have refocused on omni-channel sales, personalization and digital marketing, and the development of the e-commerce world has indeed excited both buyers and sellers.

In order to give you a better understanding of the actual situation, we have collected some of the most significant e-commerce trends that best illustrate the future of online sales. After reading, you should be able to use the provided insights to better manage or build your own small store.

The proportion of e-commerce continues to increase

E-commerce is now the most popular global online activity and is growing exponentially. By 2021, online sales are expected to reach US$4.5 trillion. This popularity stems from the ease and comfort provided by online shopping, prompting more and more people to reduce the number of shopping and switch to online shopping. In addition, consumers' trust in online purchases has increased, which has further promoted online sales. Just check the current e-commerce statistics to confirm this growth.

Today's websites are more user-friendly and only provide customers with the best online shopping experience. The process involved in online shopping has also been improved, allowing customers to easily find and select the desired products, and use multiple payment methods to pay. Nowadays, online shoppers flock to it, which is different from the situation where people avoided online shopping in the past.

Packaging customization

The packaging is equated with the brand itself. The better the appearance of the packaging, the more likely it is for customers to make a purchase. The fact is that most consumers are more excited about products in unique packaging. Therefore, it makes no sense for online sellers to customize their product packaging. Doing so can help their products stand out.

For those planning to customize product packaging, you can focus on different aspects of packaging. You can emphasize the durability and aesthetics of the packaging, and even point out to customers that your packaging is environmentally friendly. Doing so will further help you build your brand.

The rise of mobile shopping

The growth of mobile shopping is another e-commerce trend worth noting. By the end of 2021, sales from mobile commerce are expected to increase by 15%. In addition, mobile sales will account for 73% of all e-commerce sales. Just by looking at these statistics, it is easy to see the importance of mobile shopping for e-commerce companies in the next few years.

In order to better understand the growth of mobile shopping sales, it is necessary to study the performance of mobile devices in the past year. In recent years, mobile devices have been flooding the market, leading to an increase in the number of people using them. Mobile users are not only shopping on their mobile devices, but they are also investigating products before deciding to buy them. Because of the comfort provided when shopping, consumers have also developed the ability to use mobile devices.

Personalized channels

Personalized customer interaction has become part of sales. Since this trend can improve the customer experience, it has become the main trend for e-commerce companies. However, there are many ways to take advantage of personalization. Imagine combining this concept with multi-channel sales. Now, we know that multi-channel sales create all kinds of opportunities to connect with customers. But what if you can improve it by providing personalized interactions? The result can only increase customer loyalty, so you can repeat the business.

Such a setting can work by ensuring that each customer (no matter what channel they use) gets the same personalized brand experience. This also ensures that you only provide a relevant experience for your customers, without bothering them with irrelevant messages. However, many marketers have not yet subscribed to the model, which limits their ability to provide a seamless and personalized experience.

Better payment processing

Like it or not, payment processing is part of every customer journey and plays a vital role in the conversion process. This is because the customer can even decide to cancel the purchase at the last minute. Simply put, a transaction is not considered a transaction until the cash register rings. So if you have convinced potential customers to make a purchase, it’s okay. If customers find that they need your checkout process, they can still cancel the potential conversion. This is true for startups, and most startups have started to get the benefits of top e-commerce software from small e-commerce, allowing them to process payments in various ways.

It is very realistic that shopping carts are forgotten by customers, and one of the most noticeable reasons is the complicated checkout process. If you want your online store to become more competitive, you should set up a simple checkout process that involves simple payment methods. For those who do business on a global scale, it is recommended to use local payment methods and integrate all payments into one platform. The payment process is essential for conversion. Now, if you encounter regulatory obstacles along the way, it would be helpful to seek help from a third-party service provider.

Omni-channel sales

Consumers have been buying goods from different online sellers, including Amazon, branded stores, eBay, and even Facebook. Multi-channel sales are expected to attract more people among e-commerce companies. So far, e-commerce companies are still avoiding business models. This reluctance stems from the fact that it is very difficult to manage multi-channel sales.

This trend is inevitable because e-commerce companies are destined to grow, and with it comes the need to consolidate inventory. The push of online sellers to enter new markets will also promote their development, as they are looking for new channels to attract new audiences. With the huge market exposure, it brings opportunities to increase revenue.

46.7% of all online searches start in markets such as Etsy, Amazon, and eBay, 51% of the goods sold on Amazon come from third-party sellers, and 37% of users use social media to research products and brands.

Voice shopping will become the focus

Voice shopping is developing rapidly in the United States and will continue to do so in the next few years. It turns out that people who own smart speakers have already admitted to buying voice products as early as 2017. By 2022, the number of voice shoppers is expected to further increase by 55%. The growth of voice shopping stems from the launch of Amazon's Echo, its smart speaker.

Now, unlike shopping through a website, voice shopping can be tricky for some people. There is no visual effect in this channel, and the customer describes the product they want to buy. Popular products purchased by voice shoppers include household goods, food, and low-cost electronics. Encourage online sellers to consider this trend and provide the desired comfort for voice shopping.

Focus on green consumerism

Brands are expected to follow the trend of green consumerism, and many consumers admit to being affected by environmental issues when deciding to buy. The renewed focus on environmental sustainability clearly shows that online sellers must step up their efforts by complying with environmentally friendly practices. Companies can do this by purchasing products only from fair trade organizations to ensure a greener online sales environment.

Another thing that promotes green consumerism is that millennials have become a powerful group of buyers. Members of this generation are keen on demanding environmentally friendly products. The demand for green products is leading e-commerce companies to adopt environmentally sound practices.

Social media enters online shopping platforms

Social media is no longer a channel for people to connect with others. Social media has developed into a marketing tool that allows brands to expand their target audience. Platforms such as Instagram and Facebook have been equipped with "buy buttons" through which retailers can sell. Online stores have also been connecting with social media platforms so that customers can make purchases through the latter.

Most social media platforms have been focused on catering to online shoppers. But more importantly, social media has become a channel for brands to gain the best exposure. Social media exposure has led to more people becoming aware of the product or service. Moreover, the influence of social media on users is increasing every day. This is why e-commerce companies can put forward social marketing strategies well.

E-commerce will continue to increase the use of AI

More and more organizations have turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their work processes and processes. E-commerce companies are no exception. The retailer was one of the first to recognize the benefits of incorporating AI into its technology library. There is no doubt that by 2022, online sellers will spend $7.3 billion on AI. The driving force for this growth is the motivation for retailers to provide a personalized customer experience.

These developments in AI spending only show that retailers are willing to invest to improve the services they provide. To date, outstanding AI applications include customer service, sales, and marketing. However, it is also possible to benefit from areas such as forecasting and pricing from the use of artificial intelligence. The benefits of artificial intelligence in the sales process are indeed very promising. Therefore, it is recommended that companies with surpluses consider spending on AI technology.

Maybe some people may feel that their plate is too small to pay attention to these global trends, but as a member of the global cross-border e-commerce, we can glimpse some business opportunities and even help you create a stable business. It is also the Middle East cross-border e-commerce remittance to help you understand the meaning of global information.