What is m-commerce?
With the widespread usage of cell phones and mobile devices, it’s no wonder that the world has entered into digital shopping where mobile commerce, or m-commerce, has emerged as the forefront of consumer shopping.
EMARKETER reports that by the end of 2023, 43.2% of ecommerce sales were made on mobile devices., It’s predicted that by 2027, that number will grow to 49.8%, making mobile commerce almost half of all online purchases.
The leap from traditional brick-and-mortar stores, to desktop e-commerce shopping, to the now m-commerce indicates more than a technological shift.
Mobile commerce has initiated a growing demand for convenience. As it’s gained steady traction, consumer behavior has transitioned. Retail strategies need to adjust too if they want to thrive in a digital-dominating world. You’ll find out how in this article, complete with actionable strategies for overcoming mobile platform popularity as a retail store.
What’s the difference between m-commerce and e-commerce?
Mobile commerce describes the buying and selling of goods or services between a mobile user and a mobile website through mobile phones or tablets. M-commerce caters to the on-the-go lifestyle where customers can shop anywhere from online browsers, social media platforms, and mobile applications.
E-commerce, on the other hand, is an umbrella term for online shopping over the internet, but can be done through various devices like a desktop computer or laptop, as well as mobile devices. M-commerce just encompasses online shopping through mobile devices. E-commerce revolutionized retail allowing customers to shop anytime, anywhere.
Three reasons why shoppers prefer m-commerce
It’s important as a retail store owner to understand what customers love about the mobile user experience among mobile electronic commerce.
Let’s talk about the key benefits mobile phone users enjoy that encourage them to shop mostly through mobile transactions.
1. Convenience and speed
Mobile commerce wins big with consumers for its great convenience and speed, as it allows the flexibility of shopping wherever and whenever you are. The emergence of mobile wallets and credit cards mesmerized online browsers, giving them the power to shop in an instant with their handheld devices, often in a one-click checkout process of buying.
This type of mobile experience promotes more mobile traffic in online transactions. As a retail owner, remember the principle of convenience and speed. Customers value accessibility features and swiftness in their shopping experience. Be sure to leverage your ability as a brick and mortar location to serve your customers in a quick and easy way.
2. Integrated experiences
The final reason consumers prefer m-commerce is its ability to seamlessly blend with other mobile usage. The online shopping integration between social media platforms, mobile banking, mobile chatbots, and more brings online shoppers an elevated and streamlined customer experience.
With the ability to share, browse, purchase, and save items without leaving their mobile devices, customers love a shopping journey with intuitive navigation. Overall, shopping integration enhances user engagement and satisfaction.
3. Easy boredom fix
Consumers turn to their phones when they’re bored. Whether through online stores or social media, they shop to fill the time. Mobile shoppers can simply entertain themselves while in line or waiting for the bus by browsing for shoes or a new necklace. Retailers can take advantage of people’s down time and get consumers to make a purchase which they might not have otherwise.
Five ways retailers can get in on the m-commerce game
Now that we’ve gone over why consumers prefer a mobile shopping experience, we can dive into how retailers can get ahead in the m-commerce game with online stores. By catering to their target audience who loves to shop via their mobile devices, retailers can find success by following the next five steps:
1. Mobile optimization
Ensure, first, that your store has an online presence with a mobile-friendly website to optimize the integrated shopping experience for customers. They’re used to browsing on their smartphones, so help them get to know who you are through your website and what you offer.
Make sure you’re up to par on your technology, you want to make sure the website looks good on a desktop and a small mobile screen. As well as the technological side, provide unique online value that has customers returning to visit your website and turning this over into visiting your physical store.
2. Analytics and adaptation
Data analytics plays a pivotal role in discerning consumer behavior. Whether in m-commerce or the physical retail realm, businesses need to adapt to analytics. Analytics can be especially useful for retailers to tailor their business strategies and have a one-up on m-commerce. In analyzing shopping patterns, preferences, retail businesses can refine meeting the needs of customers.
3. Leveraging social media
Integrating social media with your retail store can do wonders as you tap into where consumers spend much of their time. Through targeted ads and mobile marketing, you can make innovative, shoppable posts that draw your target customers into your store.
Social media can allow you to make your products and services more visible and marketable, overall increasing trust and engagement with social media users as you have a strong social network presence. Using this social commerce can even increase the knowledge of your store and customer satisfaction as you follow mobile commerce trends even as a retail store.
4. Mobile payment options
With the growing popularity of consumers getting used to carrying digital wallets, retail stores can provide a variety of payment options for mobile shoppers who don’t want to carry their credit or debit card with them. This is a prime example of catering to the preferences of the consumer with a selection of payment methods. Shoppers will see this smooth flexibility as more user-friendly, making it easy for them to say yes to purchases.
5. Personalization strategies
As a retail store, create more personalized recommendations and experiences for your current and target customers. This could give you a one up to other retail stores as well as help you keep up with mobile commerce
Start by creating a strong community within your store and the surrounding businesses and local initiatives and events. Create valuable relationships with your customers and offer personalized experiences. Hire helpful associates to assist your clients, offer gift wrapping and personal shoppers, and even use mobile devices to your advantage.
Use mobile communication to connect with your customer base for reminders or product recommendations, this will cater to the shoppers tendency to be on their mobile devices and social platforms.
Clientbook
To stay on top of your game in the m-commerce dominated landscape, you’re going to need a cutting-edge solution to navigate and excel in engaging customers in your retail store. Clientbook is your answer for enhancing your mobile presence, engaging customers more deeply, and driving retail sales through personalized offers and optimized shopping.
With features designed for seamless experiences through communication with customers, tailored recommendations, and more, Clientbook bridges the gap between traditional retail and mobile sites for mobile shopping. Clientbook ensures stores can create special offers with key features today’s m-commerce and internet users expect in a brand.
This platform positions retailers to leverage this trend for increased customer retention, satisfaction, and loyalty, ultimately leading to overcoming the challenges presented by m-commerce. Instead, book a demo with Clientbook today to discover opportunities for growth and differentiation in the competitive retail market.
Conclusion
M-commerce represents the evolution of the shopping experience, blending convenience with mobility and for customers, it fills their need for instant gratification and personalized shopping experiences, anytime and anywhere.
By optimizing for mobile purchases, as well as offering flexible payment options to include mobile paying, you’ll be well on your way to embracing this shift in shopping.
For retailers, staying ahead in the m-commerce trend is crucial to thrive and adapt to the digital marketplace.
