The pandemic has caused people to rethink what work means to them and what they want over the last two years. Workplace perceptions shift from flexibility to happiness to autonomy, and some employees are even leaving to pursue fulfillment elsewhere.
There has never been a better time for entrepreneurship. Fortunately, for those looking to get their feet wet in the world of eCommerce, digital platforms and tools online have been designed to streamline the process and democratize entrepreneurship, making it more accessible to everyone, anywhere.
Today, my goal is to take some of the guesswork out of your brainstorming and show you some tips for skyrocketing your eCommerce sales in 2022.
How was the growth of Ecommerce During the Pandemic?
Although 2021 appeared to be a disaster for many industries, eCommerce stores experienced the opposite outcome. Because the population was required to remain at home during the lockdown, they could only buy necessities from online stores.
This is the main reason for Shopify’s recent increase in overall sales. One-third of Shopify owners saw a 40% increase in revenue during the pandemic. The data appears to be encouraging for online merchants, who can expect increased sales as a result of the outbreak situation.
However, it should be noted that this expansion was fueled by people’s choice but to stay at home. This situation, however, will not last forever. People are returning to work, and more businesses will open soon. You’ll lose if you can’t keep up with the new situation while also failing to improve your Shopify stores. To attract potential customers, you must constantly update your strategy, especially after the pandemic has ended.
The below tips will help you expand your eCommerce business even further in 2022.
Prepare your store for these 9 e-Commerce strategies
I know that you have already started building strategies for next year’s sale. After some research for the coming year, I found out some marketing strategies that might also help your store. I understand how stressful this time of year can be, especially if your brand is experiencing increased sales and customer inquiries due to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Anyway, let’s get this party started.
1. Automation can bring aa assured Productivity and growth
You should already be aware that personalization is critical in eCommerce, and as machine learning becomes more capable, this sector will expand. Recommending better products based on past purchases and other data. AI will alleviate your most vexing problems. If you’re having trouble with customer service, consider implementing a chatbot. Here’s a graph that shows what percentage of consumers use chatbots.
Automated sorting solutions centralize, separate, and route individual items and orders to their respective locations at maximum throughput rates — and there are plenty of options on the market.
2. Using voice commerce and headless technology will pave the way for automated commerce
This astounded me. 45 % of millennials have used voice technology such as Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to conduct shopping. This will eventually lead to automated commerce. For example, your smart fridge can detect when you’re running low on milk and automatically add it to your shopping cart.
Voice experiences can be more engaging and time-efficient. As a result, more consumers are experimenting with voice-enabled technology for commerce. The most active voice searchers are between the ages of 25 and 49. At least once a day, 65 percent of this age group uses a voice-enabled device.
3. Personalized payments will introduce new customers to the market
Buyers are more likely to spend money at your store if you recognise their preferred payment method, such as ApplePay, Afterpay, ZIP Money, etc. As a bonus, this allows you to provide a more personalized experience.
Aside from increased revenue, payment personalization can provide a variety of advantages, including:
- Tends to increase engagement and conversion rates
- increased customer loyalty and retention
- improved customer experience
- Consistent messaging across channels
- Improved marketing ROI
4. Markets outside of the United States are increasingly adopting online shopping
You are now able to enter previously unexplored international markets. However, you should conduct proper research to determine whether international expansion is a good fit for your brand.
The number of digital buyers grows year after year as internet access and adoption grow rapidly around the world. In 2020, over two billion people bought goods or services online, and global e-commerce sales surpassed 4.2 trillion US dollars.
5. Progressive web apps will significantly improve mobile commerce
You most likely do not have the resources to develop an app. Progressive web apps (PWAs) come into play in this situation. They are the most recent web technology, and they are used to create an online experience that is more akin to a native app than a traditional web page. They can also be installed on a mobile device’s home screen, just like any other app.
As we target more mobile users, we need PWA technology to make our mobile commerce spaces user-friendly and less inconvenient.
I’d be lying if I said Progressive web apps are the future of mobile commerce or technology because they’re already here and used by your coming neighbor.
Progressive web apps for e-Commerce did not appear overnight; in fact, they have been discussed for more than three years, and many Shopify brands have already implemented the benefits of PWA’s features.
Now it’s your turn. If Progressive web app is not yet implemented, do it soon. Realize the difference between the past and coming business growth.
6. More concentrate on customer service
Your customers have more options than ever before, so what sets you apart? By developing rich, compelling shopping experiences that can keep customers’ attention. Brands are looking to innovate as technologies for creating differentiated experiences become more accessible for their customers. 3D, AR,VR all possibilities can be tried to make your brand standout.
To improve your site’s content, it’s critical to conduct extensive customer research. If you want to impress your visitors, show them interesting pieces that meet their needs.
This is possible if you gather information ahead of time. Details such as behavior patterns and online trends are examples of details you should be aware of if you want to catch your audience’s attention. This way, you can keep your visitors interested throughout their interaction with your brand.
7. Use real Social Proof to Increase Trust of your customers
The next topic I would like to discuss today is trust. Let me ask you a quick question: would you buy a product from an online store with no reviews or ratings? I would not buy it. Not only me but the majority of us would not. 70% of online shoppers say they purposefully seek reviews before placing an order.
Reviews are the most effective social proof you can add to your brand. In essence, social proof is a strategy that enables you to demonstrate to new visitors that other customers and well-known brands trust you.
Consider sending out reminder messages seeking reviews to people a week or two after their purchase if you want to encourage more existing customers to leave reviews. When people are genuinely pleased with a product, or the service, or by the brand, they want to spread the word. You can even sweeten the deal by offering visitors a special discount to provide honest feedback.
Trust badges are another important type of social proof. Trust badges are approval seals that are typically placed on checkout forms. You’ve probably seen trust badges from well-known companies like Norton, McAfee, and PayPal.
This social proof feature can increase your form conversion rate by 42% on average. If you’ve noticed that most visitors abandon your payment form, consider displaying your reputation with a trust badge.
8. Emphasize Review Sections
Did you know one fact that getting reviews from existing customers is one of the best ways to get new customers? Customer reviews are still relevant these days. When it comes to problem-solving, people place a high value on what others say. When someone benefits from using a product or service, persuading others to join the bandwagon is easier.
This is why the review section is so important in your store. It simply displays social proof from actual customers. As a result, highlighting customer reviews can significantly help you increase sales and make your store more trustworthy.
9. If your store has no chatbots, don’t miss adding the same
Customers can instantly connect with your store when you have chatbots. Chatbots are similar to in-person shopping in that your customers can ask questions and they will get answers right away. Including chatbots in your store will provide you with more benefits than the reverse.
Chatbots can provide 24-hour support, allowing customers to get a quick response to their problems. Customers can rest assured that their case is being handled with chatbots. Furthermore, chatbots can quickly scan the database to provide the necessary support, such as checking orders, updating customer information, and so on. As a result, your customers will not have to wait too long for the information.
Wrapping it up
After the pandemic, people will resume their normal routines, and more businesses are expected to open. That’s when online retailers face a new battle for conversions. Although eCommerce isn’t going away anytime soon, the fierce competition among online stores can be a significant challenge.
If you want to stay relevant in the new scenario, ensure your Shopify stores provide a great customer experience. Customers pleased with your products or services are more likely to refer others to your store. Follow the tips above to improve your service to gain more customers and increase sales.