Ecommerce trends have fluctuated a lot over the years; in fact, when I look back at where the industry was when I started and where it is today, it can appear unrecognizable! But staying on top of trends in the ecommerce world is important for online business owners—and I’m joined by Ecom Underground founder Bryan Bowman to talk about 6 ecommerce trends you need to know right now.
But before I jump into trends, let me say this: ecommerce itself is 100% not a trend. It’s not going anywhere. In fact, online shopping has been on the rise for the past few years, and the pandemic—which shut down so many brick-and-mortar businesses—actually accelerated the growth of ecommerce.
Okay, here’s a quick glance into six ecommerce trends you should be keeping your eye on. And you’ll definitely want to listen to the whole podcast, because we take a way deeper dive into them (along with even more online goodness.)
Ecommerce Trend #1: Stop listening to the news.
Let’s face it: the news isn’t exactly full of happy things. Right now, we’re getting a constant barrage of stories about inflation, post-pandemic concerns, conflicts across the globe …you name it. Turn it off. Try to keep your mind filled with positive thoughts and kick all the negative ickiness right on out of your brain. When you focus on the good, you’ll be more productive and have a mindset that it’s way more likely good will come back to you.
Ecommerce Trend #2: Embrace social media.
Social media has become an essential tool for virtually every business—especially when you want to grow your online store. It's no longer enough to simply have a presence on these platforms; you need to using it to its full potential to take your ecommerce business to the next level. And before you dismiss this trend because the idea of having your face shown online, be sure to listen to this podcast episode. We share how you can be a rock star at social media without ever having to be the face of your business.
Ecommerce Trend #3: Show your brand values.
More customers are shopping online than ever before, and they’re now trusting that whatever they order they’ll receive (no more having to cross THAT bridge anymore!) But what they’re looking for now are brands that share their values. They also want companies to be consistent with their brand, which allows customers to trust that they’ll have a positive experience each and every time they shop with you. Customer mindset–trust is high for online stores (turn off the news!)
Ecommerce Trend #4: Use AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the ecommerce industry, and companies that use AI-powered tools are likely to be more competitive. It can operate as almost another employee, helping to reduce the time you have to spend on projects AND generating a lot of great ideas for you to consider. Do I think AI will ever replace a team of awesome people? Nope. But when it you put it to work for you, it can definitely be a phenomenal tool.
Ecommerce Trend #4: Personalization.
You might think that we’re talking about embroidering names on shirts or towels when discussing personalization—especially since I built a multi-million dollar company that sold personalized blankets and pillowcases. But that’s not the trend Bryan discusses. We’re talking about the kind of personalization that makes every customer in your online store feel valuable. For example, what if you opted to include your customer’s name in the subject line of your email? Or have you ever gone onto a website and had products pop up that reflect products you’ve purchased in the past? Don’t you love that?! How can you incorporate that kind of personalization into your ecommerce store?
Ecommerce Trend #4: Live selling.
Live selling is an emerging trend that allows businesses to connect with customers in real time through live video. Before you start to panic, remember that YOU don’t have to be doing the selling. Influencers are absolute rock stars at live selling to engage with customers, and working with them can really help to showcase your products and drive sales. (Breathe easy, my friend.)
These six ecommerce trends are essential for online businesses to stay competitive in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. By embracing these trends and incorporating them into your business strategy, you can reach and engage with customers better. And as a reminder, Bryan and I take a way deeper dive into these six trends during our conversation, so you’ll want to give this podcast episode a listen either right here on this page, on Apple Podcasts, or on whatever podcast streaming platform you prefer.
Top 10 Takeaways
- Customer mindset–trust is high for online stores (turn off the news!)
- High-ticket items still sell online.
- Free plus shipping and handling is trending down.
- Time to embrace social media.
- List out your brand values.
- AI is like having a free employee.
- Build a moat.
- Personalize buyer experiences.
- Live selling is here to stay.
- Augmented reality is at our fingertips.
Additional Resources
Find Bryan Bowman:
- Website: www.ecomunderground.com
- Bryan’s podcast: https://www.ecomunderground.com/podcast-2/
Connect with Alison:
- Facebook: @alisonjprince
- and Instagram: @alisonjprince
- Learn about the 0-100K System and how you can launch and grow your own online business here.
Additional podcasts mentioned in this episode:
Successful Ecommerce Sellers Know This…Do You?
