Ever since eCommerce came to mobile, new technologies have been providing an advanced shopping experience to the users. Every year new concepts are introducing in the industry to improve the ways users are shopping through smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. Pieces of evidence advocate that more than 80% of buyers prefer using smartphones than computers to search products, compare prices and, locate stores. According to Statista, m-commerce revenue is forecasted to reach $669 billion in 2018 and will continue to increase. This prediction clearly indicates that as an online retailer you need to focus more on mobile eCommerce or mobile transactions.
In this post, we are providing 7 m-commerce trends that you must consider in 2018:
· Rise in Chatbots
Adopted by some of the most successful eCommerce giants —  Starbucks, H&M, and Nordstrom; Chatbot is a proven concept which provides the most reliable solution to your customer. With advanced technology - AI, Chatbots will predict what an individual may ask or buy, providing a new level of personalization to the consumers. It is one of the most recommended m-commerce trends for 2018 which makes you avail several advantages:
- Ø Being able to answer customers in real time & 24X7.
- Ø Provide you with an opportunity to learn about the customers
- Ø Offer personalized shopping experience to the consumers
Several advantages come along with this technology which makes more m-Commerce application brands implement it immediately.
· Great Implementation of AR (Augmented Reality)
It is impossible to explain m-commerce trends in 2018 without mentioning AR. While the mobile technology was in its rising stage in 2017, the year 2018 will see a growing usage of augmented reality in mobile eCommerce. According to a study held in the USA, 40% buyers said they would buy a product if they get to experience it using AR. Besides, 60% customers prefer brands who make use of augmented reality vis-a-vis those who don’t.
Single-click Payment
Remember, customers want to put in minimal efforts when buying online. In m-commerce transactions, customers are encountering difficulties in the checkout process will lead to a drastic increment in abandonment rate. Single-click payment process is an ideal solution which is expected to raise in 2018. This can be beneficial to you, as customers will have fewer chances of leaving the transaction in between while purchasing. Google, Amazon, Apple and several other brands have already adopted single-click payment in their mobile transactions. It's vital to keep up with single-click payment trend to get a competitive edge in 2018.
· Personalized Experience
Most online buyers believe that online retailers who personalize the shopping experience offer more reliable and valuable service. In 2018, the m-commerce industry will find different ways to take the personalized shopping experience to a new level. Several retailers have already started using analytical tools to track the behavior of online buyers. They also analyze consumers’ buying history and past searches to give them customized suggestions. Advanced technologies like geolocation and push notifications are helping m-commerce app publishers to grab the attention of customers in real-time and target them according to location. Furthermore, these technologies are helping retailers send tailor-made emails to consumers and provide customized deals to attract them. By providing coupons and product recommendations, you can ensure personalization and boost customer loyalty.
Omni-channel Presence
Every business owner or online retailer wants to create a consistent brand experience across multiple channels. Though customers prefer buying from m-commerce apps, it is essential for merchants to have a powerful omni-channel presence as well. Mobile app users look for a wide range of products online, but still they prefer getting an in-store experience by touching and trying them. For instance, a customer may come across a display ad of your product, go to a shop to try it, and buy it online. With a combination of buying experiences online and offline in 2018, you will be able to deliver better shopping experiences to your consumers.
· Videos
Videos have always been prevailing in the m-commerce industry for many years. They work as a practical way for online retailers to deliver their message to a large number of audience. Most eCommerce businesses use engaging videos to showcase product details, advertisements, customer reviews, and new offers. Such videos have proven to deliver better engagement rate with high conversions. Several studies also show that 75% of users who watched an explainer video consequently bought it.
In 2018, videos will work as one of the most recommended ways of attracting target audience for the m-commerce industry. Most startups and successful brands are expected to add video feature in their mobile app to ensure better visibility.
Increased Use of Automation
From floating out bulk emails to sending out updates on social media and managing the loyalty program, m-commerce app publishers will be using several automation tools for handling a number of business activities in 2018. More and more online retailers will be using automation tools to manage their all the time-consuming activities such as discount codes, loyalty program generators, email campaigns, cart re-engagement engines, platforms that collect product reviews, and more. Automation tools can undoubtedly help online retailers to improve user engagement, boost revenues while ensuring clients’ satisfaction.
So, these are some of the best m-commerce trends that you must consider implementing in 2018.
With a perfectly-developed mobile app, you can deliver a satisfying shopping experience to your customers. Failing to provide a good mobile shopping experience may result in decreased sales and revenues. Therefore, it is crucial for you to adopt new m-commerce trends and offer a mobile-optimized experience to customers that meet with their behavior and buying patterns.
Author Bio
Gaurav Mali works as a content marketing & PR manager at Baymediasoft - the best mobile app development company. Passionate about technical writing; he has been involved in the cutting edge landscape of web and mobile app development for more than four years.
