E-commerce trends that impact on business in 2022

The main tasks of the e-commerce market

The Year 2022 is here, and recent challenging periods have turned into afterthoughts. We cannot change the past events that have affected our sales, but we can prepare for the future ones. That is why the e-commerce world is already beginning to discuss current trends for 2022.

The main trends of e-commerce for 2022

Success will get to those businesses that don't just observe the situation but quickly integrate current trends into the business processes.

Mobile commerce (shopping in mobile apps)

Mobile devices are at the top of popularity because you can make purchases anytime and anywhere with less effort.

The e-Commerce market shows lots of mobile shopping apps, and this number is increasing daily. As they are improving, they are becoming more user-friendly and available to use. Now, once customers give access to the camera or location to the app, they can take advantage of augmented reality (AR) features or get special offers based on their location.

Video content / Visual commerce, live shopping

According to statistics, video content is more credible than photos. Visitors of an online store cannot smell or touch the product, and it may dramatically impact the decision to buy or not a particular unknown item. But, when an online store has a short video with the product, visitors may see the product from different angles, with other lights, or in detail, see how to use it, or even check reviews, allowing them to buy the most desirable option.

Technology does not stand still, so static pictures and videos gradually lose popularity, and visual effects are now in charge. Impossible becomes possible. Have you tried virtual fitting rooms yet, a selection of clothes and shoes that can be tried on via a regular camera on your smartphone? A couple of years ago, all this could be seen only in sci-fi movies, but now it is possible for everyday use.

Omnichannel and personalized customer experience (social networks, media)

Has it ever happened to you that you started purchasing from one device and switched to another one in the process? Sometimes buyers browse the product online and later buy it offline, or vice versa. Companies act smart and open all possible sales channels to "catch" the maximum number of customers. For several years, we have seen multichannel among e-Commerce trends.

For example: recently, you viewed a backpack from your personal computer, now you see it on your Instagram feed and receive an e-mail about a discount on this product from your favorite online store. The omnichannel strategy provides a flawless personalized user experience, as the work is based on customer behavior.

Eco-friendliness

Environmental protection has become so popular that it has influenced business trends as people become more interested in environmentally friendly products. Therefore, a clear position of brands on the green move is monitored.

As one of the sides of eco-movement, recycling is becoming highly noticeable. E-commerce has already picked up this trend, and natural packaging, e-receipts instead of printed ones, etc., are becoming a new standard for every business.

AI (Voice Search / Chatbots)

From the point of view of global processes, the pandemic has become an excellent driver of technology development. AI is useful for business automation and approaches to predict customer demands. Voice search and chatbots provide practical support as they perform fast and reachable with a lesser effort from the customers' side.

According to Entrepreneur research, there will be a 55% increase in voice buyers by 2022. People want to make their lives easier, and technologies like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are good examples of solving people's problems. Artificial intelligence is getting smarter. Now voice control can understand and process complex requests. Of course, voice assistants need to be improved more; for example, it is necessary to work with various languages.

The more advanced these technologies are, the more e-commerce businesses will implement them into their environment. Alexa and Siri voice technologies empower businesses, provide recommendations, and enable contactless shopping. The volume of companies' sales in 2023 through voice is projected at $19.4 billion.

Marketplace development

The trend of online shopping through marketplaces continues to grow. Commonly, marketplaces have a vast assortment. Many consumers prefer to buy everything they need in one place, combining products of different categories and brands into one shopping basket. Also, they have other advantages like the convenience of ordering, delivery benefits, and the easy process of returning it in bundles. Marketplaces give extensive audience coverage and a low entry threshold for entrepreneurs.

D2C (Direct-to-Consumer)

Earlier, we talked to you about the B2B market trend. In this way of work, there is an intermediary between the client and the product's manufacturer. But now, manufacturing companies are increasingly leaving intermediary services. People are looking for specific brand products only in their branded stores.

E-commerce giants, like Nike, are decreasing contracts with various distributors and marketplaces in favor of direct integration with their customers. This move brought them even more popular among their loyal audience. Nike earned $16.4 billion in direct sales in 2021.

Secure payments

A secure and trustworthy payment gateway is an essential factor for the profitability of online businesses of all sizes. Getting money for goods is the main task of the entrepreneur. It requires creating trusting relationships with customers providing comfortable purchase conditions.

Therefore, an online store should work with reliable gateways for this most critical step and have multiple payment options so that the buyer can choose the most suitable payment method.

Be in trend

E-commerce is growing alongside the global technology market. The Knowledge of technological trends and their skillful usage could become the incredible progress driver in every business.