It is no secret that the internet has changed the way consumers are consumed, and the trend is that from now on, online sales will increase even more. After all, every year, more people have access to the web and devices like tablets and smartphones. In this text, we will present the e-commerce trends for 2019.
First, we will talk about the growth of e-commerce in Portugal in recent years. Next, we will highlight the issues that will most influence the sector in 2019. Trends will include augmented reality, artificial intelligence, automation (including chatbots), digital affecting physical stores, among others. Check out!
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The growth of e-commerce in recent years
E-commerce in the United States already represents 10% of the entire retail, and that number should jump in the next few years. Also, the digital already influences 56% of the decisions of purchases in the physical stores.
To stay relevant, which is at the same time more and more crowded, it is necessary to differentiate and provide the best experiences for the users.
More than consuming a product or service, people want such issues as convenience and flexibility. Also, online businesses also need to be up-to-date with trends to boost sales and reinvent the way brands, and consumers relate.
Here are 5 trends for e-commerce 2019. Follow us!
1. Augmented Reality
We all know that smartphones are getting more sophisticated. In this way, it is possible to use the screens to carry out simulations, to understand how a particular product, for example, will be in our bedroom, living room or WC. It is possible to know if a bed will fit in a space if the color of the sofa matches the color of the wall and other furniture and so on.
Some stores have come out ahead and already offer this kind of experience to their consumers. To give other examples, it is possible for people to customize a shoe or clothing, or even experience a virtual trip, knowing what the details will be from the time of embarkation to the return to the airport, through the hotel room and the tours that will be held.
2. Digital world influencing the physical
As we pointed out, it is estimated that in the United States, currently, 56% of purchases made in physical stores are directly influenced by digital media, since they started in E-commerce consultations.
Technologies like the ROPO “Research online Purchase Offline ratio”, for example, are increasingly accessible to people and retail.
From this scenario, because people are multichannel, they combine searches performed on mobile devices, social networks, geolocation, among other tools.
Retailers will be able to more accurately measure how web ads, SMS campaigns, email marketing, and virtual store visits will influence a purchase decision in physical stores.
3. Artificial intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is yet another trend that will become increasingly strong in the e-commerce universe. In this context, its purpose, among other issues, aims to offer more efficiency and agility in the service to consumers. So, doubts and problem solving will be more solved by machines, which reduces weight and provides a better experience for people.
In other words, there will be a significant impact on all channels of interaction. The technologies, therefore, will impact processes related to areas such as customer service, customer acquisition, and logistics.
There is already access to these tools, but AI will help to set a new benchmark for business solutions. All this will happen to bring more assertiveness to the stores and their customers. So, whenever you can, adopt solutions to optimize relationships.
4. Chatbots
As we have seen, Artificial Intelligence will grow more and more. Among its peculiarities, we need to highlight the chatbots, which are machines that simulate the care of a human.
Among its advantages for e-commerce, we can talk about 24/7 service, where stores can serve their customers on any day of the week and at all times. Another advantage is the service on all channels.
Since consumers are on multiple channels at the same time, a robust chatbot can work on platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, Telegram, Skype, store site, SMS and many other places. Regardless of where the customer is, it is possible for the company to mark an active presence as well.
5. Voice Command
Voice searches are an increasingly common reality in people’s daily lives. Therefore, for e-commerce, the challenge will be to provide detailed product data and information, based on voice searches, to optimize and make the inventory available in real time.
The popularization of virtual assistants, such as Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa, will also have several implications for SEO professionals because voice systems result in only one response rather than multiple results.
In the United States, a company such as Lyft (a competitor of Uber) and the Dominos pizzeria already allow users to place voice orders in their applications or through Alexa.
These were 5 trends of e-commerce 2019. They bring several challenges to the market and perhaps the main one is the importance of being always informed about the new technologies.
To stay competitive in the market, it is fundamental that the virtual stores adapt their processes and open themselves to this universe, which has no turning back and will increasingly dictate the rules and behaviors of consumption online and offline.
How is your store moving concerning all these changes? To make the quest quieter, understand right now how to create an infallible e-commerce Marketing strategy!