In ecommerce, competition is fierce. Some of the UK’s biggest retailers have struggled to maintain momentum with their online sales this year, with many losing customers to more innovative, user-focused competitors. So, what can you do to ensure your business stays ahead in 2017? We’ve put together three key ecommerce trends you need to watch out for.
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1. The rise and rise of Click & Collect
Over the last few years, Click & Collect has gone from being something only the major retailers could afford to offer, to a service that’s now much more accessible and affordable for smaller retailers. The result? A huge increase in the numbers of UK online shoppers using Click & Collect services. In 2015, 73% of UK shoppers used an online Click & Collect service and all signs this year point towards another huge surge in the popularity of this delivery method.
Does your business offer a Click & Collect service? Here are 7 tips to help you win at Click & Collect.
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2. Mobile will continue to dominate in 2017
Earlier this year, it was revealed that mobile-driven ecommerce sales accounted for 51% of UK online retail sales. This was a significant milestone for ecommerce, since it was the first time sales from smartphones and tablets surpassed sales via desktops and laptops.
In January of 2016, sales via smartphones increased by 95.6% year-on-year – that’s over seven times the increase seen by tablets. Since then, shopping online via mobile has only increased in popularity, thanks to the large number of mobile-friendly ecommerce websites shoppers now have access to.
Is your website mobile-friendly? 2017 is going to be the year of the mobile, so make sure your business is ready. Find out what you can do to attract mobile shoppers in 2017.
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3. User-focused, contextual commerce will explode
Contextual commerce, also known as contextual shopping, has quickly become something that consumers expect. Essentially, it’s the ultimate form of personalised shopping, with companies now able to give provide their customers with a highly intuitive, optimised, context-based shopping experience without browsers even having to log on to the brand’s website.
An example of contextual commerce in action can be seen in Pinterest’s Buy buttons. With over 150 million monthly users, Pinterest is proving to be a strong force in driving social and contextual commerce. There are now more than 10 million buyable products on Pinterest, helping the site to forge strong partnerships with retailers and continue their international expansion.
When users browse Pinterest and see a ‘buyable’ product they would like to purchase, Pinterest simplifies and streamlines the buying process by allowing them to make the purchase inside their own user interface. With fewer clicks required to get to the checkout, conversion rates skyrocket.
Strengthen your digital strategy with Fluid Digital
At Fluid Digital, we help businesses stay ahead of the competition online by creating award-winning Magento ecommerce experiences. If you want to make 2017 your company’s best year ever, get in touch with our team of digital experts today. Call 0161 762 4920 or tell us a little about your project via our online contact form.
