It’s a brand-new year and a new decade. From the way people shop to the way online businesses and e-commerce trends are managed, it’s already clear that e-commerce is gearing up for big changes.
In 2019, the global e-commerce market had approximately $3.5 billion sales, and this is nearly 15% of the total share of global retail sales.
So, what can you expect in 2020?
The numbers are only expected to increase as we continue into the 20’s. For online entrepreneurs, it is not as easy as sitting back and watching the cash flow in. Competition is becoming steeper. Digital marketing rates are higher.
Keeping up with e-commerce trends 2020 is paramount to succeeding in the online retail industry.
Here are your 5 best bets for e-commerce trends in 2020.
1. Augmented Reality Enhances Online Shopping
Shopping online has several advantages. It saves you time, allows you to research and compare prices from the comfort of your own home, and you can look into products and services from stores across the globe.
While fast shipping options could give online shoppers the same instant satisfaction of retail shopping, there has been one downside: You cannot try the product. AR makes visualization of the product in your life possible.
For example, some furniture brands now use AR to help clients visualize how their products will fit into their homes. Their app uses ARKit to place true-to-scale 3D models of the furniture in pictures taken on customers’ Apple devices.
Experts predicted that 100 million consumers will prefer shopping using AR this year. For this reason, more businesses are looking into utilizing AR to bring the same level of service to their online customers as their in-person ones.
While it may appear that only larger companies can afford this trend, experts think it will soon become mainstream for businesses of all sizes.
2. Demand for Voice Search Is Continuously Growing
Nearly 75% of US households are expected to own a smart speaker by 2025. People are increasingly relying on voice assistants to do everything from checking the weather to buying products online.
As more households use this technology and become more comfortable using it to make purchases, there is a wealth of untapped potential for online businesses looking to get in on the ground floor.
Greater use of voice-enabled tools online is high on the list of 2020 trends in e-commerce industry, and this is something you need to keep an eye on.
3. Chatbots Improve Shopping Experiences
Chatbots allow brands to connect with thousands of customers while giving them personal attention and kind recommendations.
Most shoppers now actually prefer to chat with bots and other online self-service tools. Evidence showed that 60% of clients report preferring having apps or chatbots answer their simple queries because of the faster response time.
Experts predict that 80% of online businesses will be using chatbots this year and beyond, and they are on track to becoming one of the most important marketing tools online. They are growing more intuitive, and they use previously collected data to help anticipate new products that you will like. This will improve customers’ shopping experiences.
4. Mobile Shopping Is Still on the Move
The greatest advantage of online shopping is the ability to shop from anywhere. In the US, more than half of customers shop using mobile devices. The same trend is taking place in Europe, where more than 50% are also shopping on mobile.
Online businesses are doing their best to provide a smooth user experience on their websites with several payment options. The number of mobile payment integrations stores offer will be a herald of change this year and beyond.
Another response to the ever-increasing mobile users is the use of progressive web apps (PWAs). These allow push notifications and give shoppers the ability to work offline. They make online shopping using mobile devices more enjoyable and a lot easier.
There’s a lot of 2020 remaining, and these top e-commerce trends will definitely impact the industry. If you need help enhancing your website features to keep up with these advancements, check our SEO services. Fill out the form below to chat with one of our representatives.
