The online retail industry is growing at a rapid pace, with no signs of slowing down. 2015 has seen bigger growth than ever before. eCommerce matures daily as innovation and technological improvements evolve. To ensure success in today’s online retail landscape, keeping up with industry trends is no longer a competitive advantage, it’s an absolute necessity. Let us discuss about 5 Trends of eCommerce Websites below
Here are 5 trends of eCommerce websites that are crucial for reaping maximum benefits in 2015.
1. Responsive Design
Gone are the days when Internet browsing occurred only on your desktop computer. With the variety of device shapes and sizes, it’s imperative for a website to adjust accordingly for maximum viewing efficiency. 61% of customers will actually leave a site if it isn’t mobile-friendly. Responsive design maintains the look, feel, and usability of a webpage effortlessly across all devices, which leads to increased site traffic, improved customer experience, and higher conversion rates. As more changes and advancements roll out, those without responsive design will surely be left behind.
2. Video Content
Cisco estimates that video will account for 69% of all consumer internet traffic by 2017. Video is an efficient and engaging way to deliver high-quality content to customers. 64% of consumers are more likely to buy a product after watching a video about it. It leads to higher average orders and drives conversation between customers. Your marketing strategy for 2015 and beyond should include producing informative video content that is attractive and engaging.
3. Social Selling
People look to their friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. for recommendations for products more and more each day. Online retailers are integrating social selling with their eCommerce strategy to maximize their reach and customize product and service offerings. “Buy Now” buttons have recently been introduced on Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr to reduce the number of steps customers must take to complete transactions. It expedites the buying process, which is extremely useful in today’s busy world. Social media is being used more for spontaneous, discovery-based purchases.
4. Personalization
Today’s retail landscape is all about customer experience. Companies are analyzing big data, social profiles, and purchase history in order to provide customers with the most personal experience possible. The presentation and product recommendations are more designed for individual customer preferences, behaviors and purchasing power. More in-depth categorization and search capabilities also allow consumers to find individual products to fit their needs.
5. Faster Checkout and Delivery
Consumers want their products as soon as possible, for as little as possible. Online retailers have listened and are beginning to offer extremely fast delivery. Many offer one- or two-day shipping, sometimes for free, and some have taken it even further as to offer one-hour delivery in certain locations, ie: Amazon offers one-hour delivery in New York City! With the integration of Apple pay, Google Wallet, Paypal, etc. checkout time is streamlined as well. Extremely fast checkout and delivery are soon to be the norm, and will give brick-and-mortar stores a run for their money.
The customer dominates the online retail landscape, and current eCommerce trends are driven by trying to improve their experiences. Streamlining checkout and delivery, integrating social selling and video content, and using responsive web design and personalization keep companies afloat in the constantly changing landscape. As technology continues to advance, it is increasingly vital to keep up with current trends of eCommerce websites in order to remain relevant.
Related Posts
Product Information Management System
