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Ecommerce trends to grow your business in 2022
Ecommerce has become indispensable in the global retail framework. The year 2021 inspired major reforms in the industry, causing paradigm shifts. These substantial technological transformations and several other trends are reshaping the landscape and could be detrimental to businesses that do not know how to exploit them.
For example, as a result of Apple allowing users to opt-out of data tracking starting from iOS 14.5, many ecommerce brands saw a decrease in the effectiveness of their Ads. Facebook and Instagram gained less revenue, and companies like Plum Deluxe — a loose-leaf tea retailer — now pay $270 for each new customer acquired through Ads in comparison to previously spent $27. Quite a change, isn’t it?
We are sure you don't want to stay in the dark, so we picked up some of the top trends of ecommerce shaping online retail strategies in 2022.
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Ecommerce trend #1:
Ensuring Better Security
Mid-Year Data Breach QuickView Report illustrates the rise in data breaches in 2021. There were 1,769 publicly reported incidents, exposing a total of 18.8 billion records in the first six months of the year. In response to those issues, we’ve seen some new approaches to data security.
Web3 — a third generation of World Wide Web, where data is interconnected in a decentralized way — would eliminate third parties' access to it. One could purchase products with just a click and not worry about revealing too much personal information (like personal details or browsing habits). It protects users' identities and lets everyone conduct transactions safely.
This year, zero-party data approach became even more popular. Getting data freely and intentionally provided by your customers raises a level of trust and acts in the best interest of both parties at the same time. From a customer's perspective, zero-party data is more accurate and allows them to have more control over it.
From a business perspective, zero-party data is better for personalized marketing, allowing customers to discover what they want faster. As a result, brands can gain stronger customer-business relationships and higher loyalty levels.
Ecommerce trend #2: Advancing Mobile Commerce
From 2017 to 2021, the number of global smartphone users increased by 49.89%, and mobile commerce hit an all-time high in 2021. The last two years accelerated existing trends towards daily shopping for food delivery, consumer packaged products, and groceries. Going further, Augmented Reality (AR), 5G, and services that provide seamless buying through one-touch systems like Google Pay and Apple Pay will continue to drive the growth of mobile commerce.
To stay ahead and boost sales in 2022, it is critical for ecommerce brands to optimize apps for easier mobile navigation by clearly categorizing products, create constant mobile content and push notifications, and make their security measures transparent to the shoppers.
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Ecommerce trend #3: Using Augmented Reality
In a brick-and-mortar environment, one can try clothes on, touch, and feel what they want to buy before doing so. Online retail is more convenient, although finally received products may not be as per buyers’ expectations. Statistics show that 34% of consumers who buy on Amazon return goods because these are not exactly what they want.
Today, software with AR functions offers customers deeper and complete information about products, while allowing buyers to stay at their homes. AR is expected to reduce the rate at which customers return goods, automatically increase conversion rate, and improve customer relationships.
According to Statista, the total number of mobile AR users in the world will be up to 1.7 billion by 2024, signaling an increase in the adoption of the technology.
Ecommerce trend #4: Maintaining a Strong Brand
As many businesses go online, getting new customers becomes harder. With fierce competition, achieving growth is now challenging for many ecommerce brands. With the changes in data privacy, it becomes harder for marketers to reach the target audience, making online retailers spend more while getting fewer results.
To thrive in 2022, organizations are to be more concerned about customers' trust. Apart from being technically-savvy, stronger-positioned brands will be able to draw organic acquisition as the foundation for sustainable growth, increase their customer base and loyalty on the basis of their brand personality.
How to build a strong ecommerce brand in 2022?
- Be guided by a clear, impactful, and not monetary vision.
- Consider customers’ feedback beyond the sealed deals.
- Don't rely solely on short-term goals and performance but be courageous to invest more time and effort in building their brands.
- Closely follow-up the competition, study the ways competitors ‘connect’ to their customers.
- Be consistent in communicating the values to the customers. Let them see the ethical stance on issues demonstrated in the way the brand is run.
How to React to these Changes?
The year 2022 will bring a lot of new challenges for ecommerce businesses. Customers expect a well-optimized, innovative, secure, and delightful experience.
However, the core driver for growth hasn’t changed — to gain an advantage this year and beyond, online businesses are still forced to meet the fast-changing ecommerce technology trends, as well as focus on building long-term and trustful relationships with their audience.
