E-commerce Trends 2023 And Beyond To Watch Out For

A prompt growth has been detected in the race of e-commerce space, which results in a better customer experience, increased competition, and fostering growth. Therefore, it is critical for brands to pay closer attention to e-commerce trends that will play a vital role in stimulating the development of business. On the basis of recent market research and experience, Kyanon Digital compiled a list of e-commerce trends 2023 that are capable of determining the future of custom development in the industry.

1. Voice search commands

In recent years, voice search has gone from a gimmick to a contributing factor in many businesses. This feature allows users to ask questions and have them answered from their own devices in a casual manner, which creates a more enjoyable experience than simply typing. Furthermore, there are implications for both SEO and UX design. Voice search naturally lends itself to conversational phrases, which makes an outstanding contribution to fast and efficient searching.

According to IEEE Xplore, artificial-intelligence-enabled voice assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri, are increasingly chosen over search engines as consumers actively employ the former to have efficient ways to do searches.

As part of e-commerce trends in 2023, voice-activated smart home appliances make it possible to check the latest news or basic knowledge, and even a variety of day-to-day tasks. Through the extensive usage of voice search and voice-activated products, retailers have gained the power to utilize smart home assistants for e-commerce potential.

2. Omnichannel Sales

Omnichannel selling is the capability to have your products and services sold across multiple channels, both online and offline. And it is a strategy that is increasing in usage. In the coming years, omnichannel is expected to be prioritized by many companies. Indeed, with growing customer acquisition costs (CAC), this appears undeniable advantageous. Employing this smart strategy can be understood as providing customers multiple channels to complete the same tasks or have different functions access, like checking out and browsing products.

At the end, the purpose is to give as seamless an experience as possible, from browsing to receiving their order. This type of shopping experience has been provided by many companies, so businesses that are unable to adapt may fall behind.

A few years ago, a partnership between Target and Pinterest was established in order to exert a great impact on online presence and sales. Though the retail giant is primarily known for its brick-and-mortar retail outlets, this allowed people to have their pictures taken by the Pinterest Lens, while the Target app showed them similar items that are available for purchase.

3. Post-purchase experience

One of the most critical trends in e-commerce at the present is the post-purchase or after-sales experience. Excellent customer service is essential even after the purchase has been finished to persuade customers’ return. For online shops, sales transactions are the most lauded part of the deal, but what happens after the purchase is what customers most pay attention to.

To ensure a positive post-purchase experience, it is necessary to implement the following measures:

• A good return policy should be provided, and possibly offer free shipping on returns.
• Actively keep track with customers who have made purchases to see if they need anything else, or if they have any queries about your product.
• Ensure customers are satisfied with their purchases.
• Offer a discount or another incentive if they introduce friends to your site.

Not only do these initiatives make customers feel appreciated, they also help to build a brand. If customers have a positive experience with offered products, there is a possible higher chance for their return in the future.

4. Artificial intelligence (AI)

Smart chatbots, personalized product recommendation engines, and voice searches, as well as most cutting-edge technologies, use artificial intelligence (AI), and in the coming years, they will become crucial for the e-commerce sector. This technology superimposes computer-generated images on top of real-world surroundings, and it is already being used by retailers to give customers a more immersive shopping experience.

Here are several possible ways to make use of AI in e-commerce in the coming years.

• Smart recommendation engine for online shops that works based on user behavior can offer users the products they are looking for. For example, virtual dressing rooms are a type of software that helps consumers digitally try on clothing.
• Supply chain planning. AI algorithms are capable of collecting and analyzing massive amounts of data, assisting e-commerce organizations in detecting logistical issues. According to IBM research, 40% of organizations who participated in the study solved supply chain difficulties with AI.
• Shopper mood tracking. AI-powered e-commerce technology can track and recognize specific customer moods and patterns, assisting online retailers in maintaining more accurate product selection. The Very Group, for example, effectively used AI mood-tracking technology in its machine-learning chatbot. It identifies the tone of consumers’ communications and adapts responses accordingly.
• Production process control. By combining artificial intelligence and production process management, cost overheads and downtime can be reduced. According to Capgemini’s market analysis, utilize AI solutions.

5. Augmented Reality

In the modern world, augmented reality (AR) is a real game-changer in e-commerce, as this technology uses 3D mapping to allow customers to try on things or preview experiences before purchasing. In addition, it allows to deliver a more intuitive and engaging visual shopping experience that lets customers interact with products in an immersive way. As a result, AR technology improves customers’ ability to visualize products before buying them and make more successful purchases. Here are some ways AR is expected to impact ecommerce in this year:

• AR ads could replace traditional ones.
• Retailers could use it to personalize their offerings.
• It can enhance marketing with interactive features like 3D product demonstrations or virtual dressing rooms.
• The retail store as we know it may go extinct in favor of digital equivalents.
• It could solve supply chain problems by matching products with inventory levels.
• Brands could use AR features such as catalogs or social media feeds to help shoppers choose products.
• Virtual try-ons or try before you buy products could help you visualize your purchase.
• Augmented reality payments could improve payment security.

6. On-site search personalization

Personalized experiences are the future of e-commerce, because it is a key way for retailers to differentiate themselves from competitors and build loyalty with customers. A stronger connection between brands and customers can lead to increased sales, higher customer satisfaction ratings, and more repeat purchases.

On-site search personalization refers to tailoring search results for each particular customer according to their past behavior on your site, profile data, and many other aspects. Using search engines such as Elasticsearch or Algolia, for example, you can make suggestions on what search results your customers expect to see while they are typing their search queries.

Some of the most effective personalization strategies include.

• Offering customers product recommendations based on their past purchases
• Sending emails with an offer for a new product similar to one they recently bought
• Customizing checkout pages to provide more relevant information
• Creating an email experience that is more personal than traditional generic, mass-market emails. This may include creating a custom image for the email, or including information about the customer’s purchase history.

7. Mobile Commerce

Allowing clients to shop via mobile devices is no longer an exception but a new norm. In fact, over the past few years, it appears that there has been a steady increase in the number of people using their smartphones to make purchases. And it is convinced that mobile commerce will be one of the primary e-commerce development trends shaping the future.

The reason is simple and clear: mobile shopping is convenient. It enables customers to make purchases from any location, which is essential in today’s world. Customers can simply research, compare products, and make payments on the go.

Here are the main aspects to consider in mobile e-commerce development.

• Visual appearance and UX/UI elements. When people are browsing or looking for inspiration on their phones, they will often want to view the product in more detail or grab a screenshot of an item that catches their eye. By giving your mobile app a great look and high-quality images of your products, you can take it to the next level and win the appreciation of your customers.
• Search functionality. Optimize your customers’ search experience for mobile. Showing their recent searches is a good practice. For example, when a user searches for a product, they see previous searches for comparison or as a reminder.
• Checkout process. Provide a seamless checkout option for mobile shoppers with services like one-click checkout. Make it simple to enter and exit the cart. Obviously, your cart should be highlighted in the main screen. Include a mini cart for mobile devices that shows the contents of the shopping cart as an overlay when users click on the shopping cart icon instead of taking them to an entirely new screen.
• Push notifications. Leverage features like in-app push notifications to alert customers of special offers and other reminders. Push alerts are rarely helpful on their own. Combine them with a full understanding of the customer journey, smart personalization, and clever in-app messaging to make a winning strategy for engaging, converting, and keeping mobile customers.

8. Live Streaming

As e-commerce continues to grow, so does the need for retailers to find new and innovative ways to reach their customers. One trend that is sure to take off in the next few years is live streaming. Live streaming allows customers to see products in real time, and gives viewers the chance to ask questions and interact with presenters in real time, which makes them feel more involved in the process. This type of interaction can create a more personal shopping experience that can lead to higher sales and customer loyalty.

Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming allow people to watch others play video games in real time, and platforms like Instagram and Facebook Live have given rise to a new generation of internet celebrities. At the present, it is now becoming one of the vital e-commerce solutions, businesses are starting to use live streaming to connect with their customers and promote their products.

9. Chatbots

In a world where customers expect 24/7 service, chatbots have become increasingly popular as a way to provide customer support. More and more e-commerce companies are using bots to improve customer service, integrate with other apps and tools, and provide a new way for customers to interact with products.

Chatbots are also providing new ways to sell online. Some of the biggest global brands are using chatbots to reach out directly to consumers and engage them in conversations about their product catalogs. By 2027, chatbots will become the primary customer service channel for roughly a quarter of organizations, according to Gartner, Inc.

Chatbots can easily help customers find what they are looking for, answer questions about shipping times or return policies, and even provide information about new products that might interest the consumer.

Chatbots are also being used to improve the customer experience. A chatbot can send out automated messages in response to specific scenarios, such as reaching out to a new customer or sending an order confirmation. This reduces the amount of time it takes for someone to respond, which can help reduce costs and increase efficiency.

10. Multiple paying methods

With the continuous development in today’s world, it should be predicted that there will be even more ways to pay for goods and services online. In addition to the traditional methods like credit and debit cards, there would be an increase in the use of digital wallets, cryptocurrency, and even biometrics. This trend is being driven by a need for faster, more secure transactions.

Offering a range of payment options is an excellent approach to boosting conversion rates. Furthermore, if clients can save their payment information on your website (and this process is secured), they will be able to check out faster the next time they make a purchase. As a result, customers want more ways to pay, and businesses need to be prepared to offer them. As e-commerce continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly important for brands to provide their customers with new payment options.

Kyanon Digital hopes this article will provide useful information on e-commerce trends in 2023, so then you can gain knowledge and adapt in order to compete, grow and apply in your business. If you have any questions related to this matter, do not hesitate to contact us for specific consultation.