We can all agree that things move fast in the digital marketing sphere. What is popular or works one minute can turn into something completely different the next. The eCommerce marketing industry is always evolving, so online stores need to stay on top of what is happening.
Now that we’re in a new year, it’s time to look at what many eCommerce experts agree will shake up online shopping in the next few months. Here are the most powerful eCommerce tools and trends you’ll want to watch for in 2021:
Increased Use of Smart Assistants and Voice Search
One element a ton of brands are looking to use right now is voice shopping. Many retail marketing strategists agree that the increased use of smart assistants, such as Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa, will become a big part of the way people shop online.
Think of a scenario where someone asks their chosen device how to apply eye shadow. If you’ve positioned your content and store accordingly, the optimization could lead to your website as the answer that the smart assistant reads off of. In the end, the artificial intelligence (AI) could offer product suggestions, including a makeup palette and brush set that your brand sells.
The key here is creating content optimized for voice search and ensuring purchase by voice command is streamlined. By making it as easy as possible for shoppers to use this technology to buy, you’ll increase sales while the trend grows.
New Payment Options for Online Shoppers
Another rising trend for eCommerce this year is new payment options for customers. More retailers are slated to partner with payment plan providers like Affirm, making it easier than ever for shoppers to make large purchases in the way they can best afford. If your products tend to be luxury items or those with a high price point, this is something to consider implementing this year.
Another trend? Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. We aren’t sure how far this one will go in 2021, but there’s a good chance that it could become a pretty big deal in the next five years. Being ready now is an excellent way to ensure you’re prepared to jump on it when it becomes typical for online shoppers.
More Personalization
Most eCommerce strategy experts say that this year is truly the year of personalization. Buyers want an experience that is intuitive and offers solutions without having to dig too deep. This means that they don’t want a run-of-the-mill approach to selling them products — they want it to be all about them.
How do you make this work? Well, many great Shopify and BigCommerce store plugins can help you implement various personalization features. For example, you could use one of them to make it so that a customer could type in “women’s yoga pants.” The next items they lookup will all be in their size range or the style they prefer.
There are endless examples of personalized shopping experiences, but it all comes down to two things. First, you have to know your target audience. Second, you have to implement the tech into your page. It is doable and worth jumping on now, as the big brands will spend billions this year refining their processes for eCommerce personalization.
Content Marketing for a Full-Funnel Omnichannel Approach
Okay, so this isn’t exactly a trend as much as it is just smart business. As eCommerce marketing experts, we’ve long agreed that a full-funnel omnichannel approach to digital advertising is the best way for a brand to grow. And that’s more true in 2021 than ever before.
What does this mean? Ensure your offers, visual design, and eCommerce user experience (UX) are consistent across all platforms. Your online store should have a similar vibe to your social media profiles, including your branding. It is essential to ensure that every single platform you’re on has the same look and feel to help build brand recognition with your customers.
Trust is another important element of this approach. You want to position yourself as an expert in your niche, which is done by putting out content that helps your target market solve whatever problem they’re facing. Use video, blog posts, evergreen content, and more to your advantage.
How CAKE Can Help You Reach Your eCommerce Goals in 2021
Of course, if you’ve followed us for a bit, you already know that many aspects of this list are things we already do for our clients. Omnichannel marketing and a full-funnel approach are at the core of our methodology. It’s not just what we do; it’s what we wholeheartedly believe is the industry’s future.
At CAKE, we truly want to see your brand succeed and grow this year. Contact us today to learn why we’re the best eCommerce marketing consultants around!
