8 Ecommerce trends to follow this 2019

According to Statista, global ecommerce sales revenues reached $2.8 trillion last year, and they are expected to keep rising this year. However, e-commerce only occupies almost 12% of the total retail sales. This only means there is a great opportunity for growth in the industry. This are some things to watch for in ecommerce this 2019

1. Dropshipping. Even though this is nothing new, this segment keeps on growing. Why? Because it is a great way to start a low-cost business with no products as you act as the intermediary between the supplier and the final customer. According to the page crazyegg.com “The 2018 State of the Merchant eCommerce Report found that out of 450 online stores, 16.4% were using dropshipping. Businesses using this model experienced an average revenue growth of 32.7% and had an average conversion rate of 1.74%. Due to these obvious benefits, we are likely to see a lot more of dropshipping in the future.” (Barker, 2018). If you want to have your own Shopify Store with Dropshipping, but don’t know where to start, let us know and our team at NinjaNutz will help you.
2. Improved customer service. Customers need to trust you in order to buy from you. And how are they going to do that if they just discovered what you have to offer? It’s all about engaging with them and having real conversations. Solve them their questions so that you can guide them through a smooth buying process. Talk to your followers in social media, Whatsapp, messenger, or any online channel, make sure they are sharing your content and help them out. In the end it’s all about how you serve people. Remember, if people are happy with your service they will recommend you to an average of 3 people, but if they are not happy they will complain about you with at least 10 other people, and with social media, those numbers are exponential, so be careful.
3. AI and AR Integrations. AI can help you increase your sales. One way to do this is through chatbots. Yes, chatbots are powered through AI. Nowadays, people expect you to be there for them almost 24/7, and if they are visiting you store at 3am and they have doubts they want you to solve with almost immediately and in the most accurate way you can. This is where chatbots come in. A chatbot will help you be there for your customers and answer all their questions. Also, through machine learning chatbots are getting better at understanding the needs of customers and solving their doubts.  We can also help you integrate a chatbot to your online store. Ask us how! On the other hand, AR, which is short for Augmented Reality, is starting to gain relevance in e-commerce, especially in the home-decor segment. Why? Imagine having to buy furniture or decoration for your house, but not being sure a specific product will be the right choice. AR solves that problem. It gives you the opportunity to “try” certain products without actually having to go to a physical store. Therefore, it will become more relevant for business.
4. Eco-friendly packaging. Nowadays, environmental impact has a direct effect on the buyers’ behaviour. A survey made by Global Data in September 2018, found that  71.4% of consumers consider the environmental impact when choosing a product. Plus, environmental laws are going to get more strict every time. Make sure to consider an eco-friendly packaging for your products, otherwise your sales might decrease.
5. Better personalization.  This personalization includes every step  of the shopping cycle of the buyers, from research to packaging. Amazon is great at doing this. When you research a product, it gives you recommendations based on your buying history and habits. This increases their sales. Product recommendation engines are an effective way of giving your customers a personalized buying experience. Other brands start with asking you some questions about your lifestyle in order to help you find the perfect clothes for you. Make sure you include some type of personalization in the shopping experience for your buyers.
6. Multi-language and multi-currency. Ecommerce allows you to have a customer base anywhere around the world. Shopify allows you to offer better options for your global consumers with multi-currency and language integrations. Do you need help offering these features in your Shopify store? Let us know!
7. Subscriptions. More stores are offering subscription packages as part of their experience. Imagine your printer is  running out of ink and you have to print some important documents later on the week. Some brands are offering subscription packages where, through a subscription, they know when your printer is low on ink and they will send you a package to your home before you run out of it. As a shopper you are not only guaranteeing sales and keeping loyal customers, but also, you are helping your buyers. Keep in mind “the subscription ecommerce market has grown 500 percent in the past five years.” (Shopify, 2019)
8. Ethical considerations. Not only is there an interest in being less wasteful, helping the environment and “becoming green”; but also information on business practices is becoming more accessible and consumers are showing more interest in buying from companies that ensure a positive impact through their business operations.

What other trends are you starting to notice this 2019? Share your comments with us!