Design, UI, UX, Insights, Web Development
12 Ecommerce Trends That Will Play Crucial Roles In 2022
We have lost the number of years in which ecommerce has been on the incline! But the only thing that has remained a constant is change. The world of digital trade has been always evolving, reaching its current levels. But not for long. Ecommerce trends that used to work a few years ago, might no longer be relative.
In this article, we will show you the 2022 Ecommerce trends which might be game-changers in this five-billion-dollar industry. We will split the article into two categories: B2B ecommerce trends, and B2C ecommerce trends.
Article overview:
1. B2C Ecommerce Trends
1.1. Artificial Intelligence will contribute even more
1.2. Free returns will become a MUST
1.3. Multichannel sales
1.4. Rental e-commerce
1.5. Augmented Reality will be a massive factor
1.6. Brands will focus on loyal customers
2. B2B Ecommerce Trends
2.1. Logistics will finally get back in order
2.2. B2B pricing personalization
2.3. PWA and UX design
2.4. Re- Commerce will become prevalent
2.5. Standardized products
2.6. Multiple fulfillment centers
1. B2C Ecommerce Trends
B2C (business-to-customer) ecommerce is about the end clients. Usually, the businesses are retailers and wholesalers, and the consumer is the end customer. There is one big difference to D2C (direct-to-customer). In D2C, the brand that produces the goods sells directly to consumers. For example, if you buy a perfume from the brand store, it is considered a D2C purchase. However, if you visit the local shopping mall and select a perfume among other brands, then the sale falls under the category B2C.
1.1. Artificial Intelligence will contribute even more
One of the biggest ecommerce trends over the past few years was AI. If we have a look at Google Trends, we can notice that it is a very searched topic. While machine learning could enhance many industries, it certainly is well utilized among many online stores.
– Upsell and cross-sell
Machine learning and data collection will help provide consumers with a personalized experience. A great example of this is making recommendations about products based on past purchases. If a customer regularly buys the same product, it is likely that he or she will buy that product again in the future. This is just one example of many, but machine learning and data collection are essential in order to make well-informed predictions regarding consumer behavior.
Upselling is a very popular trick used by marketers since it promotes more expensive products. It is very popular among ecommerce retailers since users are typically hunting bargains. For example, a client wants to buy a new mid-range phone from brand X. They can try to promote their flagship model for a 20% bigger price since they generate more money with it. But you can use upselling in one other way – if you’re selling slices of pizza, you can make a discount if someone buys 2 slices.
Cross-selling is another approach used by merchants to promote higher shopping baskets. One of the biggest examples is the burger + fries combination. Let’s say the burger costs $5 and fries alone cost $3. The combo costs $7 which guarantees a higher revenue for the merchant and $1 saved for the client. Both parties win. It is very important to remember that cross-selling is about products that benefit each other. Like a PC and a keyboard.
– Chat Bots
When customers want to solve a problem or want help finding a product, chatbots can provide the answers they seek. Chatbots can be used in e-commerce platforms to guide customers and help them find exactly what they’re looking for when browsing an online store. These bots can also answer questions and point them to the correct products when necessary. And they work 24/7. With no complaints.
1.2. Free returns are a MUST
A couple of years ago, many companies started to offer free shipping, as customers demanded that. As per the statistics, 73% of customers are more likely to buy an item if it comes with free shipping. The same source says 78% of Amazon Prime members are there because of the free shipping.
Although free shipping is still a thing, we must say that it is no longer an ecommerce trend, but rather – a common practice. Free returns, however, offer something much more valuable to customers – trust. Nowadays, 79% of people want free return shipping which comes as a friendly reminder that if you haven’t started giving this as an option to your customers, you better start off now.
1.3. Multichannel sales
Instead of focusing on your website, why don’t you use multichannel sales to scale faster and improve your brand presence? Multichannel sales would allow you to scale your business faster, improve search engine ranking. You can use a platform like Amazon MCF and sell to any point in the world.
If you’re not very keen on keeping all of your stock in Amazon, you can still manage your inventory with multichannel listing software.
Some of the best options are:
- ChannelAdvisor – it offers everything that one should know about multichannel, including software solutions, consulting, and managed services. It is probably the biggest name in the multichannel retail industry.
- Sellbrite – Sellbrite comes with two customizable options. One of the greatest feats is the ability to manage Shopify inventory across multiple stores. It is a good option that doesn’t cost a fortune.
- SureDone – The Texan company comes with many options for multichannel sales which include Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Walmart, Facebook, Google, Instagram, BigCommerce, and Magento. The good thing is that charges are based on sales, so you get most of the tools right from the start.
1.4. Rental ecommerce
The biggest ecommerce trend in 2022 will be rental ecommerce; the movement toward renting products instead of buying them will continue to grow. It’s not just millennials who are participating in this trend — Generation Z is beginning to experiment with it as well. By renting rather than purchasing, they can select specific items that suit their tastes and needs without committing to a long-term financial agreement.
If you manage to ride the wave, you can benefit quite a lot. For example, you can use a subscription model which could be perfectly utilized.
1.5. Augmented Reality will be a massive factor
Among the biggest Ecommerce design trends probably this is among the biggest hits. Augmented reality creates a comprehensive and immersive experience for online shoppers. Users can change their surroundings to help them visualize what a new product would look like in their home or office.
For instance, consumers may see how a piece of art could hang on their wall, or they may virtually lay out different flooring options. With the popularity of augmented reality continuing to grow, ecommerce businesses should be working to add AR experiences to their platforms and encourage customers to use them.
1.6. Brands will focus on loyal customers
On average, customers are worth up to ten times as much as their first order. But it is not the only one. Clients retention costs 5 times less than bringing new clients. All these statistics lead to one thing – brands will work towards pleasing their loyal fans, rather than spending money and effort elsewhere.
There are several ways in which you can build a community:
- Loyalty points – it’s a very simple, yet effective tactic to generate more revenue. A mere example might be $1 worth of credit upon each $20 spent on the site. These credits can be used to purchase goods from your online store.
- Subscriptions with exclusive access to services – Amazon Prime is a great example of an exclusive service. You can easily achieve that, if you add a subscription, let’s say $10 but give a 15% discount on all orders.
- Redeemable vouchers or different rewards – you can create a remarketing campaign in which you can thank your customers and give them an additional discount, just to say “Thank you”.
2. B2B Ecommerce Trends
B2B ecommerce (or business-to-business commerce) is a sale between different businesses. Usually, it’s between a distributor and retailer. Over the last few years, B2B has become very popular in the industry, since it provides great value. It also allowed companies to focus on their core activities, rather than doing everything by themselves. For example, a phone manufacturer can buy all the components from different brands, assemble them, and sell the end product to customers.
2.1. Logistics will finally get back in order
The pandemic has hit logistics hard in 2020 and 2021. It certainly reflected B2B more than B2C. In 2022, we suppose things will slowly get back to normal which will ease supply. The good news is that slowly but surely the world is getting back to its normal pace, and supply chain issues that were experienced over the last over 18 months might not happen again soon. Yet, this might happen at the second half of 2022.
2.2. B2B pricing personalization
According to B2B online, 22% of ecommerce stores admit B2B commerce is their highest-ranked sales channel, while 41% of respondents rate it among their top-performing channels. Corporate clients have a lot of purchasing power. This is why B2B sellers should be sure to offer competitive prices that meet the standards of their clients, lowering their chances of losing out on deals because of this.
But it doesn’t end with prices. There are several other things that are just as important:
- Bulk orders – Bulk orders refer to buying in large quantities. For example, if you buy 1000 pairs of shoes, you can get a discounted price, since you’re purchasing large quantity.
- Wholesales – A manufacturer has an interest to work with many middlemen. This way, they can sell the stocks in large amounts, then intermediaries sell to clients with an added profit margin.
- Credit card/Cheque options – Apart from boomers, there aren’t many people who love bringing much cash with them. Alternative options are much preferred.
- Mobile wallet availability – Today, smartphones are everything. They can replace almost every single technology. Mobile wallets are a great option to pay without having to wear a physical wallet that takes much space.
2.3. PWA and UX design
Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) have become a popular piece of architecture for B2B ecommerce sites. There are many benefits to these including the ability for the site to operate effectively across desktop and mobile devices.
The power of product and price will likely lessen as a differentiating factor, so new products and features that improve the customer experience are key to standing out from similar products. An outstanding UX design helps people shop faster, purchase more often, and significantly boosts conversion rates.
2.4. Recommerce will become prevalent
Recommerce or reverse commerce is selling second-hand goods – mainly clothes and electronic devices. Recommerce is one of the best ecommerce technology trends. And for a reason. There are plenty of benefits this model offers.
– Benefits for corporate clients
In most cases, companies buy software products and technical equipment for staff members. Companies have a strong incentive to recycle their old equipment. Buying new technology can put a significant dent in the bottom line. The Recommerce platforms help them earn extra money by reselling that equipment.
– Benefits for B2C customers
There are many customers who cannot afford to pay for high-end electronics or a brand new leather chair. Recommerce gives them a chance to buy a product at a discounted price which is not only a good bargain – it even comes with a warranty in some cases.
– Benefits for resellers
Resellers are working as middlemen, thus they will receive a fraction of the price, which will be their profit. Everyone in the chain wins.
2.5. Standardized products
One of the ecommerce trends for B2B will be standardization. Rather than adding manufacturing complications, manufacturers can meet this demand by standardizing the sales experience. Rather than selling one item with 10 options, they can choose to offer five items with two options. In this way, manufacturers give customers more choices and still offer a simple shopping process. The B2B industry has to provide a catalog that is customized to multiple needs and specifications.
2.6. Multiple fulfillment centers
More demanding. More impatient. Many B2B clients, especially those who value their time more than anything, will pay a premium to get what they want fast. Delivery times can be slashed across multiple locations only through the use of fulfillment centers. Fortunately, Amazon, Rakuten, and FedEx have years of experience in building them.
These big companies could offer multiple product locations all around the globe, meaning your B2C and B2C clients could receive their goods in a matter of days.
Conclusion
Ecommerce trends are changing. What doesn’t change is the way you should approach every single. You should fight to gain their trust and do even more to retain them, once they’ve shopped from your online store. While going the extra mile might be good in terms of sales, you should not forget that many other factors contribute to the overall user experience.
Continue reading: