This is a guest post by Nirav Shastri. If you’d like to contribute to our blog, feel free to get in touch with us.
From food and clothes to furniture and gadgets – there is a demand for every kind of product across the globe. As the retail sector meets people’s needs, it is expected to grow even bigger this New Year.
The reports by Statista clearly state that global eCommerce sales will continue to shoot up and are expected to reach nearly $5,000 billion in 2021!
eCommerce has changed the way we shop and created a valuable source of revenue for product vendors. And in today’s era of smartphones, mCommerce is the most convenient mode for shopping online.
This makes it imperative for you (as an eCommerce business owner) to create a platform that can differentiate your business from your competitors. You have to put in extra effort in order to stay at the forefront of innovation.
The mCommerce market: An Overview
With significant transition noticed in the behavior pattern of both – the businesses and the consumers – in the last few years, the expectation is to see a totally different ‘shopping’ process now.
The presence of mCommerce has given shoppers the convenience and comfort of getting whatever they want – at any time, at any place. And, retailers like you, on the other hand, can reach your customers directly and get to know them and their needs intimately.
As per Statista, mCommerce is expected to grow even more, accounting for over 50% of all eCommerce sales by 2021. You can clearly see this in the below-mentioned chart.
Building a mobile app has become inevitable for leading retailers. And what’s more, is incorporating the latest trends to beat out any competition.
So, what are the latest trends in the mobile retail industry that you should be following to make sure that you don’t fall behind?
Let’s find out!
Must-Follow eCommerce Mobile App Trends in 2019
1. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality
These are the most visually stunning technologies that you can use in mCommerce. Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows you to see virtual things in the real world by means of a smartphone’s screen. And, virtual reality (VR) is a technology that simulates our real or completely imaginary world with the help of high-performance equipment.
So, how does it help?
When it comes to online shopping, customers are unable to test the product personally. They have to imagine how the product actually is or what it must be like. AR and VR technologies fill this gap by helping customers transform their imagination into reality.
For instance, fashion brands experiment with virtual trials allowing customers to see how the apparel would fit them without having to step into a store.
Certainly worth considering for products customers need to try on before they buy.
2. Chatbots
Unfortunately, online stores don’t offer the feature to directly contact a merchant in case of a query. Even if you hire an online support team, it’s difficult to cater to a global audience considering time differences. But, now it has become possible with the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. With Chatbots coming into the picture, they have provided assistance to shoppers like never before.
Chatbots are one of the greatest ways to automate your communication with customers. They can understand as well as answer the typical queries of the customers and can further connect to human support managers, in case they aren’t able to answer something.
So, not only these chatbots help in closing a deal but they also help increase your repeat customer base.
If all these chatbots and AI talks are just too much to comprehend, fret not. Read more articles, perhaps take online AI courses – all of these are a great way to learn not only about chatbots but about the possibilities AI can bring to your business in general.
3. Geofencing
This is an interesting feature to consider using which your mobile app can use location-based marketing techniques. Here, the technology can send the customers personalized messages with the help of location services when they are near a physical store location.
This feature can work best for online shoppers who are wary of online shopping and want to purchase things only after visually experiencing them.
4. Gamification
Gamification is one of the growing trends in the eCommerce industry. It is based on the concept of connecting incentives like points and badges to actions with an aim of influencing consumer behavior.
In short, gamification is a creative way of getting users engaged with your app. If consumers participate in games, they are rewarded with discounts, promotions as well as free merchandise. Many eCommerce apps have already started using this marketing tactic.
A recent example of gamification can be seen in the NikeFuel program. Nike capitalizes the competitive nature of its target audience by allowing them to post their workouts, track progress while challenging their friends. And in return, they get interesting perks like free shipping and early access to products.
This way, you are not only keeping your customers engaged, but also boosting your eCommerce sales by providing them with lucrative offers.
5. Voice search
Some experts believe that soon voice will take over the Touch ID and Face ID feature when it comes to identifying a person. So, when increasing aspects of our lives will be conducted by voice, how about mCommerce adapting and integrating this feature into their retail mobile apps?
With the accessibility of the voice search feature, you can provide your customers with an enhanced level of comfort and convenience in searching and choosing the products of their interest.
For example – voice assistants like Alexa are growing in popularity. Considering this, the voice search feature will not only enhance the customer experience in online shopping but will also help you stay on the competitive edge.
6. Search by picture
As soon as the machines became competent enough to recognize images, the trend of ‘search by picture’ kicked off.
This is quite simple to understand. The customers can search for similar products by uploading a picture. Needless to say, this feature is beneficial to both – you as well as the customers.
Let’s take an example of ASOS – a prominent retail eCommerce store that has adopted this feature. Customers are finding it simple to upload a picture and find the products that they really like while minimizing their time to search. On the other hand, it helps you to boost up your selling process because as soon as the customers find similar products, they will close the deal by ordering then and there.
Uplift your eCommerce business with these amazing features
Mobile eCommerce is expected to grow in the future with new technologies like AI, AR?VR, Big Data analytics will influence the way customers to shop with their mobile apps.
So, this makes it essential for you to identify which features can attract your target audience while giving them an enhanced shopping experience. Just remember, customers expect more from retailers like you, so in order to emerge out victorious, you ought to stay abreast with the latest mobile eCommerce app trends.
We have done our bit – by providing you with these must-follow trends. Now, it’s your turn – to actually implement them in your retail apps. Are you ready?
Author Bio
Nirav Shastri has expertise in eCommerce business enhancement and B2B lead generation. He has 7+ years of experience in the IT industry and is currently working as a Business Growth Strategist at Space-O Technologies, a leading Mobile App Development Company. Nirav also works with a team of experienced creative digital strategists to generate unique and data-driven campaigns. In his free time, he likes to read about information technology trends and watch motivational videos.
