Introduction
Hey there e-commerce sellers! My name is Tu and I work for Ecomax, an awesome e-commerce agency that helps sellers like you thrive online.
I wanted to write this blog post to share my thoughts on where e-commerce is headed in the next 5 years. I'll be making some bold (maybe even crazy!) predictions about the future of online shopping and selling.
My goal is to get you thinking about how you can prepare your business for the e-commerce trends of tomorrow. I'll explain things in simple terms, like I'm talking to a friend just getting started with online selling. Sound good? Then let's get to it!
Mobile shopping will dominate
Right now, about half of online shopping happens on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. In just 5 years, I predict that number will be more like 80%!
Why? Because mobile technology keeps getting better and better. Screens are bigger and higher quality. 5G data speeds are lightning fast. Augmented reality lets you "try on" clothes and makeup. And paying is easy with Apple Pay and other mobile wallets.
For you as a seller, this means your store needs to be extremely user-friendly on mobile. Make sure checkout is simple with just a few taps. Optimize images for smaller screens. And use video to showcase products, since that's perfect for phones.
The future is mobile. Embrace it now and you'll be ahead of the curve!
Social shopping will be huge
Right now, most social media apps don't make it easy to buy stuff. But in the next few years, I think social shopping will take off.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest are already adding more shoppable features. I wouldn't be surprised if you can scroll, click and checkout completely within these apps!
For your business, focus on building an audience on social media. Use hashtags to get discovered. Collaborate with influencers who align with your brand. And make shops on as many platforms as possible.
The more convenient you make the path from discovery to purchase, the better. Meet audiences where they already hang out online - on social media.
Voice assistants will play a bigger role
“Alexa, order more cat food.” That's the kind of simple, hands-free shopping experience I see becoming common in the next few years. Voice assistants like Alexa are getting smarter every day.
Soon, using nothing but your voice, you’ll be able to:
- Get product recommendations
- Re-order frequent purchases
- Track order status
- Compare prices across sellers
- And more!
As a seller, make sure your product names, descriptions and other details are highly optimized for voice search. Tools like Alexa allow for super convenient shopping, so you want your listings to be discoverable.
Subscriptions will be everywhere
Subscription services have boomed in recent years. Think Netflix, Dollar Shave Club, Birchbox and more. The subscription e-commerce market is now over $13 billion!
I believe this is just the beginning. Over the next 5 years, more and more products and services will move to subscriptions.
For you as a seller, think about how you can offer subscriptions for the products you sell. Can you ship a monthly package of goodies to customers? Offer replenishment of staple products? Provide access to a membership community?
Subscriptions help lock in repeat business. If you can switch from one-time purchases to ongoing subscriptions, it will really pay off.
Live video shopping will take off
Imagine combining QVC's live product showcases with the interactivity of Instagram Live. I believe we'll see a rise of live video shopping apps and features that make buying incredibly seamless.
Chinese apps like Alibaba's Taobao Live already give a glimpse of how this could work. The host shows products, answers questions, and viewers can click to purchase without ever leaving the video.
As a seller, live online events are a great way to engage customers and drive sales. Promote limited offers or flash sales during your live streams. Make them fun and interactive with giveaways and contests.
The more you can make your store feel like a lively experience, the better!
Augmented reality will enhance shopping
Imagine being able to visualize exactly how a piece of furniture would look in your living room. Or try on an outfit without changing clothes. Augmented reality (AR) makes it possible!
AR overlays digital objects onto the real world via your smartphone screen or AR glasses. Retailers are starting to use AR tools to help customers preview products in 3D.
I think AR will become a standard part of online shopping in the next few years. IKEA and Amazon are already rolling out AR features. As a seller, look for ways to adopt AR technology like 3D models and virtual try-ons.
The more customers can interact with your products digitally, the more confident they'll feel purchasing. AR boosts engagement and conversion rates.
Same-day delivery will be the norm
Waiting days or weeks for an order to arrive will seem painfully slow in just a few years. E-commerce shipping is getting faster and faster.
I believe free same-day or next-day delivery will become the standard expectation for online purchases in many areas. Amazon is already rapidly expanding its same-day capabilities.
As a seller, quick shipping can give you a big competitive advantage. Partner with a delivery service like GoGoVan to enable fast shipping. Or explore options like in-store pickup or crowdsourced delivery.
The key is delighting customers by getting purchases into their hands as swiftly as possible. That earns loyalty and trust.
The future of shopping is exciting!
As you can see, the next five years will likely bring enormous changes to the world of e-commerce. New technologies and shopping formats will create fresh opportunities for online sellers.
I hope thinking about these 7 predictions gets your mind racing with possibilities. How can you upgrade your own business to embrace the trends of the future?
Here at Ecomax, we live and breathe e-commerce. We help sellers succeed on marketplaces like Lazada, Shopee and TikTok Shop. Our customized e-commerce solutions enable sellers to:
- Optimize listings for mobile
- Grow social media shops
- Enhance voice search capabilities
- Develop subscription programs
- Produce live shopping events
- Implement AR tools
- And more!
We stay on top of the latest tech and tactics so our clients are always ahead of the curve.
Want to chat about how Ecomax can help prepare your business for the next generation of online retail? Click here to schedule a free strategy session!
The future of e-commerce is unknown, but it's sure to be an exciting ride. Let's tackle it together and take your sales to the next level.