The future of eCommerce is always changing and, to keep your online business afloat, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of what’s going on in the industry. If you’re looking to run an online store or want to make your existing store more successful, there are some tips and tricks you’ll want to know.
Once you’ve obtained your seller’s permit in Texas, the next step is to set up your online store. However-, before you put too much time and effort into creating your online presence, you’ll want to ensure that you’re incorporating modern features and functionality so that consumers have a top-notch shopping experience.
Keep reading to learn about the future of online business and eCommerce trends for 2020 so that you can surpass consumer expectations, which increases the risk of surpassing your sales projections.
Social Commerce
Ever since the social media boom, it’s only made sense for eCommerce and social media to develop an intertwined relationship. Sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have become much more than places to check up with friends and to share life events with your social circle.
Social media sites have also become the go-to locations for learning about products and asking for recommendations. There’s been a shift in consumer behavior, especially among younger generations. Studies have found that young consumers use social media to find products and to get feedback.
As the owner of an online store, your future lies in your ability to target younger audiences. This means being active and engaging on social media, while also making a “buy” button available on your social media profiles, allowing consumers to make a one-click purchase.
Social commerce is also a driving factor in the eCommerce industry, as it allows companies to collect a vast amount of consumer data. In turn, eCommerce companies can run more targeted ads, presenting potential buyers with the products that they’re most likely to buy.
Voice Purchases
While mobile phones have greatly changed the retail eCommerce landscape, virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa have also changed how consumers shop. Why swipe and tap when you can talk to a virtual assistant and order the products you need? Over the last few months, voice purchasing has grown in popularity.
In fact, according to Amazon’s post-Christmas announcement in 2018, the number of customers using Alexa for shopping more than tripled when compared to numbers from 2017. Voice purchasing is expected to skyrocket in popularity, especially as an increasing number of digital assistants and voice-activated devices are purchased and used around the globe.
To keep your eCommerce store up to speed with voice purchasing, you’ll want to:
- Have a defined voice engine optimization strategy
- Develop a keyword list for voice searches
- Optimize for long-tail keywords and question-based keywords
- Incorporate the use of featured voice snippets
Voice purchasing is one of the eCommerce future trends that you don’t want to ignore. Get ahead of the curve and optimize your eCommerce site for voice purchasing, giving you an advantage over your competitors.
Shipping Options
Today’s consumers not only expect an effortless online shopping experience, they also want their purchased items as quickly as possible. Amazon set the standard for quick shipping, offering 2-day and even 1-day shipping for its customers. Companies like Walmart have followed suit, allowing customers to receive their items expeditiously.
In 2020, not only can you expect quick shipping to still be a widely sought option, customers will also be on the lookout for other shipping options. The use of drones and pick up locations makes the shipping and delivery process even quicker. Big name companies are already testing drone deliveries. Amazon’s Prime Air promises a 30 minute or less delivery time.
This means that as an eCommerce store, it’s more important than ever to offer speedy shipping options so that consumers can receive their items without a long wait time.
Be Trendy & Legally Covered with FastFilings
While it helps to be in the know about eCommerce trends for 2020, it’s even more important to ensure that your legal bases are covered. As an eCommerce store, you must obtain a seller’s permit before you can sell a product or service.
If you’re in need of fast business filing services, choose FastFilings.com. We offer permit filing, business licenses, and other services for companies in California, Texas, and other states.