The holiday season is always a busy time for eCommerce. This year is no different as online shoppers continue to make purchases online and take advantage of promotions, shipping options, and easy returns. As a result, the eCommerce shopping experience has grown to provide greater convenience and diverse consumer options. To keep your eCommerce shop competitive this holiday season, here are a few key trends to consider:
These are the Holiday Shopping Trends to Look Out for This Season
Expedited Shipping and Delivery Options
Shipping is a significant factor in whether or not people will buy from your eCommerce store. Shipping costs are a huge reason many people shop at brick-and-mortar locations instead of online stores. However, many online stores are turning to expedited shipping and flexible delivery options to remain competitive and increase convenience for online shoppers.
The speed at which you deliver your products can make or break an online purchase, so it’s essential to consider offering various delivery options for consumers. Customers want to know when they’ll receive their goods and how quickly they should expect them. Delivery options could include same-day, next-day, 2-day, 3-day, and so on.
When planning your holiday marketing strategy, expedited shipping and flexible delivery options should be at the top of your list. In addition, consider carriers with tracking systems and reliable experience delivering quickly and efficiently.
Online Promotions and Holiday Deals
With the rise of online shopping, it’s no surprise that online deals are improving. eCommerce promotions are more personalized, relevant, and accessible to all customers—and they’re also more targeted than ever before.
Online shoppers are more likely to buy something because it is on sale or discounted. There are several advantages for businesses using promotion codes. Firstly, promotions can drive conversions. Not only are customers more likely to take advantage of deals, but promo code users are generally more loyal and likely to return to your store.
Promos are also easy to implement and make for excellent marketing material to drive traffic and sales. Any eCommerce store owner can offer deals and promos easily through their site. eCommerce holiday promotions are a great way to build brand awareness and get customers to view and purchase from your site.
Digital Gift Cards
It can be challenging to pick the perfect holiday gifts for your friends and family. This is why the gift card is the ultimate form of convenience for holiday shoppers. According to a recent survey by SoFi, “The number-one gift requested by moms, dads, grandmothers, and grandfathers is a gift card.” Gift cards beat out electronics, jewelry, home goods, and even time with family.
Gift cards can be used online or in-store, but more importantly, they can be bought, sent, and redeemed online. So, if you are looking for a gift to send to a family member in another state, it’s easy to email them a gift card to their favorite store or restaurant. For shoppers, gift cards are easy to buy, send and redeem. Gift certificates are becoming more popular for small online businesses that want to offer flexibility to shoppers who buy gifts for others during the holidays.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy now, pay later deals are a great way to get people to buy more. This payment option is crucial for eCommerce stores because it allows customers to purchase on credit with monthly payments. This feature is excellent for the holiday shopping season when customers buy multiple gifts simultaneously but may need help to afford everything simultaneously.
Offering buys now, pay later options is an excellent way to boost online sales and offer customers payment plans. Not only can you increase conversions and generate revenue, but your customers will appreciate the convenience of a payment plan rather than a larger one-time purchase. Flexible payment options can land more sales and bring in more online shoppers.
AI for Better Online Shopping Experiences
Artificial intelligence offers greater flexibility and improved customer service in the eCommerce market. Businesses can use AI to learn about their customers and create better campaigns or services. eCommerce stores can collect data about how customers interact on their site or purchase history to predict what they want next. This helps you create successful products and promotions that you know your customers are interested in.
eCommerce stores can also use AI to create a better online shopping experience for customers. For example, automate abandoned cart emails to get shoppers to return to your store to complete purchases. Offer an online chatbot to assist customers with questions they might have while shopping. Automate the return process by making it easy and intuitive for customers to print return labels or find assistance. AI can improve your customer’s online experience while taking some pressure off your team through automation.
It’s essential to keep an eye on the current trends and changes in the eCommerce industry. eCommerce trends can help you keep your online store up-to-date and competitive with the modern shopper. The holiday season is an excellent time to evaluate your site and marketing performance and integrate new features or offers that will bring in customers.
