The internet has transformed the way we shop. In fact, you may already shop online for most of your needs. But as an eCommerce entrepreneur, knowing the latest trends coming down the pipeline is essential to staying competitive and offering excellent customer experiences. Here are 10 eCommerce trends that will have a significant impact on your business by 2023: 

1. Omnichannel Retailing

Omnichannel is the integration of online and offline channels. It’s about creating a seamless experience for customers, who are increasingly expecting to pick up where they left off across devices and platforms. As omnichannel becomes more critical in eCommerce strategy, the customer experience has become more relevant than ever—and it’s here that you can make your mark on the industry. 

The future of eCommerce will be shaped by how well companies deliver on a streamlined shopping journey that provides convenience, speed, and personalization at every turn—not only when you’re making a purchase but also before it occurs. The key factor in this future? The customer experience. 

2. Social Commerce

Social commerce is the new customer experience. With 153 million people engaging in social media daily, it’s no surprise that social media has become a lucrative marketing channel for brands. When you consider how many people share their shopping experiences on social media, it’s easy to see why social commerce is quickly becoming an essential part of any eCommerce strategy.

This trend will only grow as more consumers use social platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok to discover products they want to buy – sometimes before they ever walk through your doors or visit your website! Social commerce is also becoming increasingly important because consumers are influenced by what other shoppers say about products or services before making purchases themselves. 

3. Customer Service

Customer service is one of the most important aspects of online retail. It’s not just about providing a good experience; it’s about being able to do so in multiple languages and ensuring you can handle customer inquiries, returns, and other issues quickly and efficiently. 

The more automated your customer service is, the better. You don’t want to spend time manually responding to every single customer inquiry. This type of automation can be implemented through chatbots on your website or social media channels. 

4. Mobile Shopping

Mobile shopping is on the rise, and it’s here to stay. According to a recent study from Google, more than 55% of people say they frequently browse products on their phones when in-store. If you’re not using mobile technology to sell your product, you’re likely missing out on a major opportunity. 

Mobile shopping can be convenient for customers, including those who are searching for Glock mags and scope optics, because it allows them to shop anywhere at any time without waiting in line. It also provides an opportunity for greater personalization: your customers are more likely to spend more money with companies that cater specifically to their needs as individuals. 

5. Subscription-Based Shopping

Subscription-based shopping is another trend that you should familiarize yourself with, as it’s a growing part of eCommerce. Subscription services are predicted to account for $904.28 billion in sales by 2026. 

With this model, customers pay a monthly fee for ongoing service and get access to products or services without having to pay extra each time they want something new.  

6. Visual Search

Visual search is a hot topic in eCommerce, with an increasing number of retailers using it to improve their search engine results. It’s easy to see why: visual search allows consumers to find products based on the image they provide, rather than having them type keywords or use other traditional search features. 

In the past year or so, we’ve seen this technology from brands like Amazon and Pinterest, where you can use pictures of items to find similar ones that might fit into your life seamlessly.  

7. Live Shopping in Augmented Reality

In the past, augmented reality (AR) was primarily used for gaming. But now, live shopping in AR is becoming a reality. 

AR allows consumers to experience products and services in their environment using digital graphics overlaid on top of real-world images captured by a camera. With AR technology, customers can see how your product or service will look in their home before they purchase it. 

8. Contactless Payment

Contactless payment is the future of payment processing. In fact, contactless payments are growing faster than any other type of financial technology in the market today. 

If you’re not familiar with contactless payments, they allow you to pay using your phone or other NFC-enabled device without having to use cash or credit cards. Contactless payments are easy to use and convenient, making them ideal for today’s mobile-first world where time is money. 

9. Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS)

BOPIS allows customers to choose between having their products shipped directly to them or picking them up in person from a nearby retail location. This option gives shoppers greater convenience and control over their purchases. They can decide whether they want the product immediately or later. In some cases, BOPIS also allows retailers to offer additional discounts for products picked up at physical locations instead of purchasing online only; this encourages a higher rate of foot traffic into stores while still providing easy access for those who prefer online shopping. 

10. Curbside Pickup

Curbside pickup involves face-to-face interactions between customers and sales staff but doesn’t require shoppers’ physical presence inside an actual store. It simply requires that they notify the store via app or online that they’ve arrived, and staff members will bring items out to the customer and place it in their vehicle. This option stuck around after COVID-19, and we see it becoming even more popular in the future! 

Agency Partner Interactive  

The COVID-19 pandemic spearheaded the global eCommerce surge out of necessity, and since then, it has continued to evolve to meet the needs of modern consumers. While these eCommerce trends are critical to know for any online business, they’re just the beginning. If you need help developing a compelling, conversion-driven eCommerce marketing strategy, Agency Partner is here to help. Our internet marketing team has worked with brands of all sizes and industries to drive engagement, web traffic, customer loyalty, and revenue. Ready to optimize and future-proof your eCommerce business? Schedule your consultation today!