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Whatever product or service you sell, stay on top of consumers' shopping behaviors.
Many of today’s retail options are online only or have an online component. Entrepreneurs in both the e-commerce and brick-and-mortar spaces must understand how this shift affects consumer expectations and loyalty so they can target and serve customers effectively.
As online retail continues to grow in popularity and strength, entrepreneurs must stay aware of current consumer purchasing trends and understand what these tendencies mean when pinpointing their target audience.
Editor’s note: Looking for an e-commerce website design service for your business? We can help you choose the one that’s right for you. Use the questionnaire below to receive information from a variety of vendors for free:
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, in the second quarter of 2022 e-commerce comprised 14.8 percent of total sales. This number is expected to grow, so it’s essential for online retailers to maximize consumer interests and tendencies to accommodate their needs and boost sales.
Here are five online purchasing trends online sellers must consider.
Consumers expect companies to know their preferences and understand their behavior — and they want sellers to keep that information in mind when communicating with them.
In a recent consumer survey report from 3Radical, more than 64 percent of consumers surveyed said they expected brands and retailers to tailor offers to them — and more than 52 percent said they got frustrated when they received irrelevant communications. Lack of personalization has significant costs; more than 41 percent said they would be less inclined to shop with brands that didn’t deliver personalized communications.
To boost personalization efforts, consider the following:
Customers have more power than ever, and online retailers must do more to earn and keep their business. Here are some ways today’s customers are in control:
Online retailers’ goal should be earning an excellent reputation through customer satisfaction. To do this, you can take the following actions:
In a recent KPMG study, 76 percent of consumers surveyed said they wanted greater company transparency about how their data is used. Additionally, 85 percent of consumers in a McKinsey study said that knowing a company’s data policies is important before making a purchase. Nearly half (46 percent) said they often or always consider switching to another brand when data policies are unclear or aren’t divulged.
As much as the online environment provides opportunities to collect data and information on customers’ preferences, likes and dislikes — and to enable customization and personalized experiences — take customers’ privacy concerns seriously. Never sell customer email addresses, don’t spam them, and ensure you manage their data securely.
Online shoppers want a quick and easy checkout process. Here are a few ways to accomplish this.
Online customers are more aware of their purchasing decisions’ effects on the earth’s resources. According to the Global Sustainability Study 2021, 85 percent of respondents say they’ve shifted their purchase behavior toward sustainability. In fact, 61 percent of U.S. consumers say sustainability is an important factor when deciding to buy a new product, and over a third of consumers say they’re willing to pay more for sustainable products and services.
Using green innovations like low-waste business practices, non-polluting manufacturing, and biodegradable packaging shows customers you care about sustainability and may help drive targeted audiences to your site and increase customer loyalty. For instance, consider letting customers know that you use eco-friendly packaging practices and sustainable items in product manufacturing. In many instances, green business practices, such as using solar power, can also save you money.
Much goes into an excellent e-commerce platform, including easy setup, attractive and varied templates, inventory management, shopping carts, payment gateways, shipping and marketing tools. Here are some of our choices for the best e-commerce platforms and shopping cart software. The right platform can help you capitalize on consumer purchasing trends.