At its core, e-commerce involves selling products online. However, the approach you take and the strategies you use can vary significantly. Certain elements become trendy, leading to a higher conversion rate. Consumers can, though, grow tired of sales tactics that become stale, with conversions suffering. It is vital that you stay on top of changes within the industry, adapting to elements that consumers expect to find. The following tips can help your store stay relevant in 2020.
Be Aware of Environmental Concerns
Consumers are growing more invested in how their shopping habits impact the environment. Some stores aim to cater to these concerns entirely, creating an eco-friendly business. In most cases, though, store owners will want to reduce the amount of waste found in packaging. It may also be worth limiting plastic use in products, choosing more environmentally friendly options.
Try to Include Customization
Consumers won’t always want a general product aimed at a broad audience. In industries like fitness and beauty, for example, there are tailor-made solutions based on body or skin type. Including the option to customize an order helps customers get the perfect product based on their particular needs. You can make the process easier by developing tests or guides that help people make the appropriate selection.
Integrate Social Media Shopping
Social media shopping is only likely to grow over the coming years. Sites now offer far more than basic social interactions, with the ability to purchase a product directly within the platform. Facebook and Pinterest, for example, are great examples of platforms where users are often in a buying frame of mind as they browse content. A simple sales process makes purchasing an item easier than moving over to your store.
Add a Subscription Element
Subscription models are excellent ways of creating recurring income and encouraging customers to return to your store. You can offer substantial benefits and price reductions to subscribers but make more over the long term with recurring sales. While smaller stores may not require a subscription, larger businesses with a significant customer base can offer a product that interests enough people.
Personalize the Experience
Consumers are getting more used to having stores cater to their interests. Social sites have shown personalized content for a long time, ensuring users see the type of posts they have expressed an interest in previously. Stores also benefit from this approach and can provide a better experience by showcasing items based on previous buying history and searches.
Address Privacy Concerns
While personalization is growing, there are also concerns about privacy. Many consumers have issues with the way data is used, while GDPR and other policies will take a more stringent approach to data collection and management. Going forward, stores need to be more diligent with data and address any concerns with their customers.
Chatbots Can Increase Sales
Chatbots are likely to be used by more stores as visitors become increasingly comfortable with using them. Chatbots can provide accurate information to consumers without the need for additional human input. A chatbot can also increase sales or email subscriptions with a call to action. The result for businesses is the ability to make significant savings while still providing stellar service to visitors.
Improve the Visual Experience
It is still not unusual to encounter stores offering only low-quality images of their products. However, consumers will expect more as the visual experience continues to improve. High-quality photos and video are essential, but interactivity will grow through virtual reality and augmented reality. For example, a furniture store could allow users to move items around a model of a room to simulate how it would work in their own homes.
Most stores won’t need to change substantially, with most e-commerce factors staying the same. The internet will experience adaptations, though, with certain elements filtering down into marketing strategies. Customers will expect to see a modern approach to a sales page, leading to a more pleasurable buying experience. A store can quickly become dated if you aren’t prepared to change, so it is crucial that you observe trends as they take root. As long as you give your customers what they want, you can anticipate a successful year in 2020.
If you have any questions, our team would be more than happy to help. Call us today at (215)-393-9787.
