As mobile shopping reaches the pinnacle of popularity, e-commerce has witnessed a dynamic shift from desktops to smartphone devices. Obviously, shopping from a phone is far more convenient for customers as compared to accessing a site via a computer. As a business, having a mobile presence is critical because it ensures that shoppers select you over competitors. Moreover, it brings a wealth of opportunities for your business because you can leverage mobile features to enhance the shopping experience manifold. However, unlocking the potential of m-commerce is possible only if you go in the right direction.
So wouldn’t it be great to know where the mobile revolution is taking e-commerce businesses? Surely, you need to know so that you can gear up to stay ahead of your competition. Additionally, having a mobile-friendly website or an app that replicates your store is mandatory. You can do it easily by choosing a mobile-friendly development platform, such as Magento e-commerce, to create your store. While this is a significant aspect of winning the m-commerce game, staying on top of mobile trends is another vital one. Here are the key mobile trends that are poised to transform e-commerce forever.
Augmented Reality is real now
Augmented Reality is a close sibling of virtual reality technology. AR shopping has become a major mobile trend in the e-commerce landscape because it is capable of driving more conversions for business. The technology enables shoppers to experience products as if they were right there in front of them. Shoppers getting a life-like feel for products resolves a major challenge for sellers who can now sell more with less effort. The most popular examples where AR experiences are used to craft amazing shopping experiences are in the fashion and home decor industries.
Location-based technology is commonplace
Another mobile trend that e-commerce sellers cannot afford to ignore is the use of location-based technology. Location-based technologies such as iBeacons are being widely used to bridge the gap between retail and e-commerce. Retailers use the technology to gather data related to shoppers and then send targeted messages and offers accordingly. For example, iBeacons can detect the location of app users near a store and send them personalized push notifications to come around and shop.
Chatbots take businesses ahead
Chatbots have been around for some time now but the rise of m-commerce has made them mandatory for online sellers. These AI-powered assistants are capable of understanding human language and provide a conversational interface for customers. The popularity of chatbots in mobile apps is attributed to the convenience they bring to the shopping experiences. Customers are keen to interact with them on the go, which makes them very popular.
One-click payments for easy shopping
One of the biggest challenges for e-commerce sellers is a long-drawn checkout process. Many shoppers simply abandon their carts because they become irritated by long forms with multiple fields. However, the one-click payments feature via mobile shopping simplifies online shopping to a considerable extent. When a prospective buyer does not need to enter lots of information, purchase decisions become faster and sales soar. So, this is another mobile trend that you should embrace.
In-app purchases for shopping on the go
Another mobile trend that every e-commerce seller should embrace is that of in-app purchases. As the name suggests, this process enables users to shop directly through the app. The most popular example of in-app purchases is that of social media apps such as Instagram and Pinterest. These apps incorporate a feature that enables online sellers to provide links and buying options directly on their social posts. All that the user needs to do is to access the link and shop from within the app rather than having to reach the store.
Voice and visual searches rule
Shoppers who decide to shop via mobile have access to device features such as a microphone and camera. This makes it easier for them to search via voice and images, which is much more convenient as compared to searching with textual queries. The user just needs to speak a product name/attribute or upload the image of the product to see options appear right on the device screen. Your business can leverage these trends that are making it big in the e-commerce landscape.
Push notifications drive sales
Push notifications are another mobile trend that you can leverage to take your e-commerce business to the next level. These notifications can be personalized on the basis of parameters such as the user’s location, browsing history, and shopping preferences. The best part is that the read rates are high which means that your chances of connecting with the shopper are also high. As a result, the probability of closing a sale is high as well. This makes mobile apps an effective marketing channel for your business.
Towards new opportunities with mobile!
Now that you know all about the mobile trends that are making it big for e-commerce businesses, you can realign your business to keep pace with them. By following the latest trends, it becomes possible to explore new opportunities for sales and growth. Intuitive interfaces, fast and easy payments, marketing additives and better customer support are just a few reasons that you should embrace all that the mobile channel has to offer. The key lies in having a strong presence on this platform, both in the form of a responsive e-commerce store and a feature-rich mobile app. So are you all set to take advantage of this amazing opportunity!
