E-commerce Trends For 2017
Prepare for 2017 e-commerce trends — better safe than sorry.
Written by Zuzana from MonkeyData
The e-commerce market has been on the rise, and predictions indicate that 2017 will no exception with even higher growth expected in the New Year. According to Statista, overall revenue will be estimated to be up nearly 400 billion USD (a figure that’s almost double the growth of 2016). To sum it up, e-commerce has become one of the fastest growing industries. So what exactly can we look forward to in the upcoming e-commerce season?
Quick, Easy, and Mobile Friendly — Trends That Are Here To Say
“Smartphones will account for 81% of mobile data traffic worldwide by 2020 ~ Cisco.”
Nowadays people are always in a hurry, so they prefer quick and simple solutions. This has led many e-commerce companies to shift their focus toward increasing support for mobile devices, allowing customers to purchase products online. You can shop on the go, in the bar, on the train, whenever and wherever you want — all with the touch of a button.
Mobile devices are responsible for more than half of web traffic and this number is only increasing. This isn’t a surprise given our reliance on Smartphones, but what is interesting is that a large number of customers still express concerns about spending online — specifically where privacy and security is concerned. This is something to keep in mind when appealing to clients by maintaining a sense of trust, both in terms of offering quality service and providing trustmarks and payment system logos.
The new trend is to look at your desktop and mobile users as a single customer base; avoid dividing them into two categories. For example, someone using a desktop at work could easily become a mobile user the moment they step out for lunch or when they’re taking the train to get home. People often own several devices and expect quick, easy, and user-friendly experiences from all of them.
TIPS: Mobile Users Appreciate:
- when a site loads quickly so they can easily find what they are looking for
- less videos and animation, not only because of faster load times but also because it uses up less mobile data, which is important for those who have limited mobile Internet access
- when a site has an attractive format and big enough fonts — shoppers don’t want to have to zoom in to read text.
- your buttons are clickable and lead to appropriate content — this is quite important, since customers can become frustrated when links don’t work, or they lead them somewhere they don’t want to go.
Rise Of Local Drop-Off Points
“An online retail shopping experience can be severely limiting in that a consumer doesn’t have the ability to interact, see, try and touch the products like in a store.”
The most common reason to prefer a brick and mortar store over an online one is the inability to interact with the product before purchasing it. To solve this problem some stores and businesses have resorted to an ingenious loophole that will likely become popular in 2017 — namely, the development of small shops that serve as showrooms, fitting rooms, and drop-off points, all in one. Customers can order their products, come in to see it, and try it on all in the same day at a local drop-off point of their choosing.
Data Aggregators
“The more information there is available about a product the less reluctant people will be to buy it online.”
The role of data aggregators is to compile data on million of products — pictures, descriptions specifications, comparisons, etc. Retailers can then link their site with such aggregator to provide all necessary information to customers and assure them that products will meet their expectations. This will help customers to check products properly and make a final decision. In general, people are interested in pictures, reviews, and comments because they offer social proof and allow them ot make educated decisions based on feedback from other shoppers — in fact, 84% of people trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation.
Chatbots
“People will talk or write to machines and they will love it!”
Chatbots have become increasingly popular as virtual online shopping assistants, and 2017 should find many e-commerce companies working toward their implementation.These fully automated chat agents are able to answer all your customers questions, simplify their shopping experience, and provide personalised solutions to issues that may arise. Additionally, chatbots can be programmed to do everything from suggesting sizes, making fashion recommendations, and personalizing special offers. In many ways, the technology is similar to automated phone calls, but permits a much more interactive and engaging experience.
This is not a completely new innovation and there are some companies already using chatbots (H&M, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret etc.), and their usage will only become more prominent and widespread.
Quick Free Delivery And Easy Return Policy
“81% of customers want an easier way of returning products they just bought online.”
The days when the standard delivery times could be upwards of a week are gone. When customers buy something these days (regardless of whether it’s online or offline), they want it immediately. The same day or next day delivery will be a must for almost all online retailers in the future, and it’s important for entrepreneurs to do everything in their power to provide shoppers with the fastest delivery option.
Many online shoppers now expect free shipping as a critical element to their e-commerce experience, the idea being that this factor makes it much more compelling for customers to order online. Online stores have also taken to offering extended and more liberal return policies, which helps to build trust with clientele and secure a sense of quality assurance. Ordering online can make people a little bit nervous as we’ve seen, but having a simple and no-hassle return policy will help you convince them to buy.
Design
‘Originality, less text and more images.’
Nowadays lots of websites look the same, using similar layouts and product pictures. To increase your chances of securing purchases, it’s crucial for a landing page to stand out and aim for originality. Give your customers less content to wade through and more visual impulses to increase their desire to buy your goods. Every image on your site matters, and depending on professional photography and high-resolution graphics can help secure the attention of potential customers. As a result, visual storytelling such as cinemagraphs, semi-flat design, and illustrations will likely be huge hits in 2017.
Big Data Usage
“Big Data will help to transform the shopping experience by providing exclusively designed offers for each customer.”
The way you use your data influences your ability to offer tailored services that your customers expect. In today’s competitive market the ability to offer personalised solutions is the key to success. In 2015, retailers who started using big data practices experienced a 60% average increase in their business margins.
With today’s technology you can easily map your best customers, their spendings, favourite products, devices they use, sources and campaigns they came from, and what information they are looking for when deciding on a purchase.
Thanks to reasonably priced app solutions we are able to answer not only these questions but many more. If you’re not an IT geek, don’t worry: apps like MonkeyData, for example, streamline this process with tools that are simple to understand and very user friendly.
Ready For A Short Summary?
- Customers will be identified singularly by their online habits, rather than separately as desktop or mobile users
- Small shops that serve as showrooms, fitting rooms, and drop-off points will be on the rise
- A shift toward a bigger demand for graphics and social proof such as pictures, reviews, and comments
- Chatbots suggesting sizes, fashion recommendations, and personalised offers will become more common
- The same day or next day delivery will become the standard
- Original and visually attractive web design and attractive layout
- Use of big data to be able to offer personalised solutions
These are trends I believe will be of great importance in 2017. What are your opinions? Do you have any tips for 2017 e-commerce trends I didn’t mention?
Good luck with your business in 2017! ❤
