E-commerce has become a big deal ever since the pandemic hit. More people are flocking to this form of shopping, and statistics have shown it. It’s estimated that e-commerce sales took up almost a trillion dollars. It was up by 14% from 2020, and 2020’s sales were up by a staggering 50% compared to 2019.
As more and more people shop online, your online shop needs to follow specific trends. It will ensure that you attract more customers and keep them coming back for more. Plus, it’ll help you stay ahead of the competition. Here are five e-commerce trends your online shop should follow:
Transparent Websites
Websites play a huge role in online businesses. They act as a shopfront for businesses and are the first point of contact for many customers. As such, they must be well-designed and easy to use. They should also be transparent, showcasing what you sell and how you sell it. It will help build customer trust and encourage them to buy from you.
You can design your website more transparently by including clear product descriptions, pricing information, and shipping details. It would be best if you also had a website section outlining your company’s policies, such as returns and refunds.
If you don’t know how to do these things or want to save time and money, it’s good to hire a professional to help you out. Certain brands like Hatchit Design can help you create a website that complies with the internet code of ethics. They can also help you create a website that can increase overall consumer sales. Lastly, they can implement unique design options you have in mind, which can drastically improve the way your website looks.
Contactless Delivery
The COVID pandemic has changed how people do things, including how they shop. One of the most significant changes is that people are now more interested in contactless delivery. This means they want their orders to be delivered without human interaction.
One way to do this is to offer curbside pickup. Customers can order online and pick up their orders from a designated area outside your store. You can also provide home delivery, where customers can have their orders delivered right to their doorstep.
Another option is to use lockers or other storage units. Customers can order online and then pick up their orders from a locker. It’s a great option if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of shipping.
Contactless delivery is a great way to keep your customers safe and satisfied. It’s also a great way to attract new customers who might be hesitant to shop in person.
User-Generated Content
Another trend that’s growing in popularity is user-generated content (UGC). It’s content that customers, not businesses create. It can take the form of reviews, ratings, social media posts, and even videos.
UGC is valuable because it helps build trust with potential customers. When they see that other people have had positive experiences with your products or services, they’re more likely to give you a try. UGC can also help improve your search engine rankings.
To get started with UGC, you can create a hashtag for your business and encourage customers to use it when they post about your products or services. You can also offer incentives, such as discounts or free shipping, for customers who post UGC.
Another option is to create a UGC section on your website. This is a great way to showcase all the positive things people say about your business.
Lastly, always post your UGC on social media. It’s home to billions of users, and because UGC works as modern word-of-mouth marketing, you can convince many people to buy your products that way.
24/7 Customer Service
Customers expect to be able to reach you at any time, day or night. This means that you need to have customer service available 24/7. The best way to do this is to use a chatbot.
Chatbots are computer programs that can mimic human conversation. They’re designed to answer customer questions and help them solve problems. In addition, Chatbots can operate 24/7, which means they can provide customer service even when you’re not available.
Another benefit of chatbots is that they’re scalable. This means that they can handle a large number of customers at the same time without any issues. You can also customize chatbots to fit your specific needs.
If you don’t want to use a chatbot, you can always hire customer service representatives to work around the clock. However, this can be expensive, and it might not be necessary if you don’t get a lot of customer inquiries.
As you can see, there are several e-commerce trends that your online shop should follow. These trends can help you drive sales, build trust with customers, and improve your overall customer service. In addition, by following these trends, you can ensure that your online shop is thriving and competitive for years to come.
