The 12 Most Important eCommerce Trends for 2022 and Beyond

Numerous businesses were compelled to relocate their activities online during the Covid-19 epidemic. Some of them have discovered the wonderful fruit of eCommerce. They continue to concentrate on it, even as pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and they can now go offline again. eCommerce is no longer a luxury, and eCommerce trends are transforming day by day. It is necessary for every retailer's sales strategy in the post-pandemic years. Global eCommerce retail sales have increased by more than 25% in this pandemic year alone, highlighting the critical nature of a retail eCommerce firm.

eCommerce is no longer a luxury, and eCommerce trends are transforming day by day

eCommerce is a constantly evolving market; a slew of new trends emerge each year that may help your company develop and compete – and 2022 will be no exception. As the pandemic subsides, we may see eCommerce penetration decline compared to 2020. Nonetheless, several eCommerce enterprises have grasped the opportunity and forecast that 2022 would be the year of “eCommerce” growth.

In this article, we will examine many of the major eCommerce trends that will characterize the retail business in 2022.

An overview of the eCommerce industry's situation

• Before 2020, online shopping was booming. The pandemic has only boosted eCommerce growth, which is anticipated to reach $5.02 billion in sales by 2022. The volume of business would increase by a factor of six.
• China is the world's largest eCommerce retailer. By 2022, China is predicted to account for roughly a quarter of global retail sales generated by the 60 largest markets, more than twice the amount generated by the US.
• In 2020, Amazon.com will have an average monthly traffic of over 3.68 billion visitors, followed by eBay.com, which will have average monthly traffic of 1,010 billion visitors.
  According to Shopify, over 150 million consumers will make their first online transaction in 2020.

Challenges from one-time buyers

The shift in client behaviour during the Covid-19 epidemic is significant. The eCommerce business had enormous growth in the last quarter of 2020. While this is great news for many brands, companies must also be mindful of possible risks. New problems emerge. One of them is from customers who only make a single purchase. These are clients that brands drew once but could not keep or attract for further purchases.

75% of a brand's customers do not repurchase from the same online outlet (Forbes, 2021). This might be due to increased competition for customers' attention. Online retailers and brands are getting more aggressive and clever in maintaining and acquiring customers. To create long-term connections with buyers, sellers must provide more relevant communication.

Furthermore, merchants must pay closer attention to client touchpoints due to the growing number of contact points. They must determine locations to reach the most clients and achieve the highest conversion rates. They will be able to establish action plans and spend money on marketing more efficiently this way.

The scale of online sales is getting bigger.

Buying and selling items online is the most common internet activity, and it is rapidly rising. By 2021, online sales are expected to exceed $4.5 trillion. The tremendous growth in online sales is due to a rise in customer trust in this channel. Existing websites with user-friendly interfaces provide clients with the finest online buying experience possible. Online purchasing processes have also been upgraded, allowing customers to simply search for and pick the things they want, as well as choose from a variety of payment methods.

Unlike the prior caution of users when accessing this sales channel, the number of clients purchasing online is expanding today. Furthermore, the pandemic's influence encourages a shift in purchasing behaviour. Even grocery businesses that sell a limited number of staples online via their websites or apps put these basics within reach of eCommerce clients.

The significance of anticipating eCommerce trends

Selling online has impacted businesses in various industries, altering how organizations function. The advantages of eCommerce have generated a drive for firms to enhance their online presence. The most recent eCommerce trends drive organizations to adopt new technology and business approaches that promise to boost online sales.

Previously obscure topics or primary concerns, such as product packaging, have suddenly become the centre of commercial attention. Businesses should grab and seek possibilities in light of the significant changes that eCommerce is projected to endure. If you're already an online seller or want to become one, keeping these trends in mind might help you sell online more effectively or perhaps start a flourishing online business. Let's find out.

eCommerce Trends for 2022 and Beyond

1. Voice assistants

Voice search is becoming more popular

Voice assistants on your phone, smart home hub, and even your TV remote have advanced significantly. Voice search is becoming more popular, and it has a direct impact on search and shopping results. Changes in search must be monitored by eCommerce businesses in order to optimize for future sales. Remember that having a voice assistant necessitates paying extra attention to three areas: content, SEO strategy, and UX, since voice assistants continue to collect Google data to offer consumer suggestions.

At the very least, ensure that your eCommerce site is optimized for mobile voice search by prioritizing the types of information customers want, such as your website, address, contact number, and business hours.

2. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Based on browsing and shopping histories, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning do a decent job of forecasting buying behaviors. While no human brain can customize a website for each and every visitor, AI is its goal. While few retailers have the level of data required for full AI, several ERP and CRM systems contain machine learning elements to assist in cross-selling and upselling.

3. Payment method variety

The importance of small details in ensuring customer pleasure cannot be overstated. One of them is the variety of payment methods. This is the final step in the purchasing process, and a lack of chosen payment options might set fire to the deal. Allow clients to pay the way they like while keeping things easy. Did you know that by 2025, smartphones will account for more than half of all sales, according to research from e-marketers? Apple Pay and Google Pay are both excellent options in this situation.

Aside from paying by credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, and other methods, the trend of purchasing in installments is growing. Businesses even partner with banks to provide Buy Now, Pay Later, which allows customers to pay for things in regular installments over time. Customers frequently prefer this option to pay with a credit card because BNPL offerings are generally interest-free.

4. Augmented Reality (AR)

Customers don't want to speculate about how a new couch will appear in their living room. They won't have to with AR. With the installation of this technology, people will be able to see live footage of the room with the new addition on their phone or laptop. The same may be said about artwork, flooring, and numerous articles of apparel. ECommerce companies should actively include augmented reality (AR) in relevant locations to entice buyers to digitally “test” the goods.

5. Mobile commerce

Being mobile-friendly is not a new concept

Another noteworthy eCommerce development is the increase of mobile shopping. Being mobile-friendly is not a new concept. Google now takes a mobile-first strategy, which means that the URL of your site's mobile-friendly version gets indexed. As a result, your website should be user-friendly. Keep in mind that text should be sized to match the user's screen, and graphics should load quickly and be properly optimized for mobile devices.

Your mobile site should be easy to use with a thumb. This implies that necessities like navigation buttons, menus, and calls to action should be placed in areas where your thumb can reach them. Today, astute businesses provide their own GPS-enabled mobile shopping experiences to assist customers in purchasing in-store or elsewhere. A mobile-optimized website and shop are essential for all businesses to provide an excellent eCommerce experience.

6. Sustainability

“Renewable” and “sustainable” are more than simply catchphrases. Consumers and governments are making significant improvements in renewable energy, environmentally friendly activities, and long-term sustainability thinking. Investors have advocated for new ESG (environmental, social, and governance) stock market agendas. Consumers vote with their dollars as well, and many favor firms that implement solid environmental standards. It is hard to predict whether sustainability will become mainstream by 2022, but it is important in eCommerce and a fascinating issue for a huge percentage of customers.

7. Social Commerce

The next rising trend is a subset of eCommerce that is often utilized by D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) enterprises, whose purpose is to maintain the whole shopping-search experience, including items, making judgments, and paying in one spot. Everything takes place on social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tik Tok), where customers may read other people's feedback or contact a vendor directly before purchasing goods.

‘Instagram shopping' has surged by 78 per cent in the last five years. Or that the global social commerce market is expected to reach $604 billion by 2027, growing at a 31% annual rate. According to study data reviewed and released by Stock Apps, 15% of global eCommerce enterprises have sold on social media, with the remaining 25% aiming to do so. So, in order to keep up with the competition, you must carefully consider your social strategy. Businesses that engage in social commerce may participate in their customers' daily lives, create tales, elicit emotions, and gather vital feedback.

8. More individualized marketing and products

Personalizing your consumers' online buying experiences is critical to retaining them. Consumers want assistance in locating the things they want, and they value a more personalized experience. Online customers would most likely avoid some websites outright due to bad product recommendations. 80% of consumers are more inclined to buy from a firm that provides tailored and promotional material; this often results in a 20% boost in conversion rates for website visitors who see the personalized content.

Your eCommerce platform should have basic personalization features to let you customize the consumer experience. If not, it's time to start exploring a platform once more.

9. Expansion of forward-deploy fulfillment centers (FDFC)

Retail lockers are now available at several grocery shops, shopping malls, and other public venues where consumers may pick up things. The forward deploy fulfillment center (FDFC) is a tiny fulfillment center that can be as simple as a collection of automated lockers loaded with popular orders. If someone wishes to buy a new toothbrush or socks, they may receive a message that the item is available to pick up as soon as they hit the buy button.

10. Use real-time data and machine learning to improve sales

Analytical tools are used to acquire and combine data, which necessitates delays. Many eCommerce and analytics solutions now provide real-time data. With real-time data, you can watch how clients engage with your website or online marketing. When combined with machine learning, this data may be used to determine where potential purchases are missed, allowing you to reduce cart abandonment and bounce rates.

11. Automated B2B transactions

B2B is a significant business category. More automation will be possible as a result of the eCommerce development in this country, including automation of accounts payable, receivable, reordering, and fulfillment. If you work with other organizations, be sure you're employing cutting-edge technology to address their most difficult challenges.

12. 24/7 omnichannel customer support

Adding chatbot technologies can help you minimize your customer support effort

Customers in the past and future may wish to contact your organization for customer service. But how exactly? Some people prefer live chat or a phone conversation, while others prefer email, social media, or texting. Adding chatbot technologies can help you minimize your customer support effort, improve the customer experience, and be part of a more comprehensive customer experience.

Chatbots are used by businesses to improve customer service, give faster and more accurate replies, and collect more data to enable greater client interaction in the future. You will undoubtedly benefit from creating chatbots and integrating them into your company's architecture. They also help eCommerce websites with marketing tasks such as search engine rankings.

Final Word

In our in-depth guide to impending eCommerce trends, we've listed the most crucial methods to help online shops grow sales. Without looking too hard, you'll notice that all of these rising trends have one thing in common: they all aim to make the customer's purchasing experience enjoyable and straightforward.

Do you need a technology partner to help you incorporate any of these updates?

Over the years, Groove Technology has designed and improved numerous eCommerce websites for small and medium-sized enterprises in local and international markets. We've upgraded their eCommerce system to help them remain competitive as they expand abroad and react to the latest advances in this dynamic market.

Contact us now to learn more about how Groove Technology can assist you in adapting to the newest eCommerce trends in 2022.