The Top Trends in Mobile E-Commerce for 2021
The world of e-commerce is constantly changing, and with the advent of mobile technology, it’s becoming more important than ever to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. With more than half of all online purchases now being made on mobile devices, it’s clear that mobile e-commerce is here to stay. In this article, we’ll explore the top trends in mobile e-commerce for 2021 and what they mean for businesses looking to optimize their online sales.
1. Mobile Wallets
One of the biggest changes in mobile e-commerce over the last year has been the rise of mobile wallets. Apps like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay have made it easier than ever for customers to make a purchase with just a few taps on their smartphone. Not only are these mobile wallets secure, but they also provide a more streamlined checkout experience, and with the added bonus of contactless payment, customers have become more reliant on mobile wallets throughout the pandemic.
For businesses, mobile wallets offer a great opportunity to streamline their checkout process, reduce cart abandonment and boost sales. Integrating mobile wallet options on your e-commerce website can help cater to customer preferences and reduce friction during the checkout process.
2. Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is another trend that is growing in popularity in the mobile e-commerce industry. AR technology uses a smartphone camera to superimpose virtual images onto the real-world environment, allowing customers to visualize products before making a purchase. This technology has been used for everything from virtual try-ons of clothing to testing virtual furniture in a user’s home.
Incorporating AR technology into your e-commerce strategy can improve customer satisfaction, reduce returns by allowing customers to “preview” products, and lead to increased sales.
3. Mobile-Optimized Videos
Video consumption on mobile devices has surged in the past few years, and it is now one of the most effective mobile and e-commerce trends today. Mobile-optimized videos have the potential to captivate users, conveying more information about products in a shorter period of time.
Businesses that invest in mobile-optimized video marketing can create more engaging content and reach broader audiences. Adopting a mobile-first video strategy can assist vendors and brands in building robust and loyal e-commerce audiences in a now-virtual world.
4. Chatbots
Customer service chatbots are another emerging trend in the e-commerce industry, particularly on mobile devices. Chatbots can provide faster customer service than humans and are available 24/7. Mobile users tend to have lower attention spans than desktop users, so a quick response from a chatbot can aid with customer retention.
Businesses that implement chatbots into their e-commerce strategy can provide customers with 24/7 instant support, which can ultimately lead to better customer experiences and increased sales.
5. Personalization with Artificial Intelligence
Personalization with artificial intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer in mobile e-commerce trends. AI technology can analyze massive amounts of data about individual customer behavior to gain insights and deliver personalized options to meet their needs. Recommendations (‘customers who bought this, also bought’) is key attributed to this trend.
Personalization with AI creates a unique customer experience, and can help with returning customer retention across their mobile devices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mobile e-commerce is a fast-moving world that requires businesses to keep up with the latest trends to reap the benefits. By integrating mobile wallets, adopting augmented reality, implementing mobile-optimized videos, incorporating chatbots, and using personalization with artificial intelligence, businesses can enhance the customer experience, drive sales and improve ROI. It is clear these trends are here to stay, and integrated mobile e-commerce strategies with these trends and more will separate the winners from the losers.
