The e-commerce sector has grown rapidly over the last few years, becoming a crucial part of many retailers' strategies.More and more people prefer to shop online, mostly for convenience, speed, and personalisation. And the number of people who buy things online is dramatically increasing, year after year.It is estimated that by 2025, total eCommerce sales will reach more than £5.9 trillion worldwide — up from £1.2 trillion in 2015 — according to a study published by Statista.In addition to this exponential growth rate, there has been a shift in consumer behaviour toward online shopping. The number of digital buyers has increased from 1.5 billion people in 2015 to 2.1 billion people in 2021. In 2022, this number is expected to continue rising.The eCommerce industry is thriving. In 2015, eCommerce amounted to 7.4% of total retail sales worldwide. Well, in 2022, that number has risen to 21% — it tripled! Definitely, it is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. As a result, more and more companies are looking to get into this space.Every year, we see new ways for customers to shop and interact with eCommerce stores.This is no different for 2022, as many of the trends we saw in 2021 will continue to evolve and grow. We’re also seeing new trends emerge that are changing the way retailers do business online.So, in order to stay competitive, you need to be aware of what current trends are driving the eCommerce industry and how your business can adapt to them.To help you get a head start, we've put together a list of the top 11 eCommerce trends for 2022. Read on, because retailers who do not keep up with shifts in the market will find themselves left behind as competition increases.

What are the top trends in eCommerce for 2022?

Mobile will continue to dominate commerce.

In addition to fierce competition and a constantly changing landscape, retailers have to deal with new technologies entering the market every day and consumers who are more tech-savvy than ever before.If you're looking for an indication of where eCommerce is headed, look no further than the mobile phone. In fact, in 2021, roughly 72.9% of all online sales were conducted through mobile devices—a notable 39.1% increase from the 52.4% market share held by mobile eCommerce in 2016.Of course, this number is expected to grow in 2022. Smartphones and tablets have become the primary way that people shop and interact with companies, making them a natural fit for retailers large and small alike.The convenience, accessibility, and personalisation of shopping on mobile devices are what make them so popular with consumers.It's not only about sales—but mobile also improves customer experience. With a smartphone in hand at all times, shoppers can exchange information instantly with businesses through social direct messaging (DMs), text messaging or online chat apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.This means that customers can reach out whenever they need rather than having to wait until they have access to a laptop or computer.Retailers and eCommerce shops should create mobile-friendly websites, apps and social media profiles in order to keep up with the rise of mobile.Shopify is a great option that adapts to all screen sizes. Alternatively, you can build a site yourself with a tool like WordPress.

Personalisation will get even more personal.

Personalisation is the holy grail of eCommerce, and it's only getting more advanced.2022 is the year when personalisation will continue to go beyond just knowing your name, address and phone number and start to learn what you like to buy.This can be achieved through behavioural data collected by retailers or third-party data providers.In 2022, expect to see a new level of personalisation with AI-powered systems that can customise your shopping experience based on past purchases and preferences.Retailers are already using AI to make their websites more personalised. For example, Amazon recommends products based on previous purchases or searches.You can also see this type of personalisation in online advertising, especially in services like Google ads andFacebook ads that let advertisers carefully tailor to their audience.More retailers will be using AI to personalise each step of their customers' journeys — from discovery through checkout and beyond — so that customers feel like they're getting exactly what they want every time they visit.Personalisation is about knowing your customers' preferences and needs so you can offer them exactly what they want when they need it—and in the best possible way.It allows brands to connect with customers on a deeper level, while also providing them with products they might not have considered before.It's also about making sure the experience of shopping on your site or app is simple and easy to use.

Augmented reality and virtual reality become more commonplace.

Remember when Pokémon Go took over the world? While many people were annoyed by their friends' constant need for Pokémon, it did introduce augmented reality (AR) technology to a larger audience than ever before.This trend will only continue as more people become familiar with AR applications such as Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens.Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are two technologies that overlay digital information in the real world. AR is used in gaming, entertainment, education and training while VR immerses the user in a digital environment.As these technologies continue to develop, they'll become more accessible to everyday shoppers. This will likely result in more consumers using AR/VR apps when shopping online or visiting physical stores.Furniture shop Wayfair uses these technologies so customers can visualize what pieces of furniture will look like in any given space of their home or office.This is incredibly innovative as it allows shoppers to interact with products like never before by viewing them from different angles or trying them on virtually before making a purchase decision.

Voice search will become more important.

Voice search has been improving rapidly in the past few years and it’s only going to get more important as time goes on.Voice search is a huge opportunity for brands and retailers. In fact, it was revealed that 72% of parents that own voice-activated speakers stated that they use them to buy or order products.As voice search becomes more popular among consumers, it’s critical for brands and retailers to optimise their websites for it. In order to be found, you need to make it easier for people to find what they’re looking for when they’re using voice commands with their devices.Voice search optimisation (VSO) is all about making it easier for people to find what they're looking for when they're using voice commands with their devices.This means optimising your website and content with keywords that are easy to pronounce, along with descriptions that are short, clear and concise.In addition to optimising your website, you should also make sure you have a mobile app so shoppers can use VSO directly from their phones.And there are good reasons why you should be investing in this trend:1) Voice search is easier than typing - especially on mobile devices where typing can be tricky. People love being able to use their voice instead of having to type things out on a tiny keyboard. And because it's easier for them, it's better for them (and thus better for you).2) Voice assistants (like Google Home or Amazon Echo) mean that customers don't have to go online or open an app - they can just ask their device what they want!3) Voice search isn't just convenient — it's also useful when consumers don't know what they're looking for or need help navigating through a site's navigation. For example, if they have no idea what kind of blender they need or what features are important, their phone might suggest options based on your initial query (such as "blender").

The focus on customer experience will continue to improve.

The customer experience is the most important metric in eCommerce. It is the key to customer loyalty and satisfaction, which in turn leads to customer advocacy. But even though it’s so important, many businesses still don’t have a good handle on how to measure it or improve it.But, as consumers demand more from their online shopping experiences, brands will be forced to up their game. This means offering more personalised and convenient experiences for shoppers who want more than just a good deal.In order for you as an eCommerce marketer or brand owner to get ahead of your competitors, you need a clear picture of what’s going on with your customers—what they care about most and where their pain points lie.The best way to do that? Focus on improving their overall experience by providing relevant product recommendations based on previous purchases, making checkout easy and simple, offering free shipping options, and offering a fair returns policy.

Shopping with video will be easier and more common.

Video is becoming an increasingly important tool for online retailers to use on their websites.Shoppers want more than just product photos when shopping online. A picture is worth a thousand words but it doesn't tell the whole story about how something looks or feels in person!Consumers want to see what they're buying before they buy it, so retailers are turning to video as an effective way to show off their products. Videos can also be used in email marketing campaigns and social media posts to help drive sales.Additionally, the ability to easily create and share videos on social media platforms has made it possible for anyone to become a content creator.This is great because shoppers want someone who can speak directly with them about their needs and wants before making an investment decision on something like clothing or furniture (for example).Having someone explain what makes each item unique is essential when deciding between similar products but not always possible with pictures alone - especially if those items aren't exactly alike aesthetically speaking (like different colours).In the past, you would have had to pay a video production agency thousands of dollars in order to make a professional video. Nowadays, with the right software and some basic training, you can make your own content for free.

Brands and stores will use interactive technologies.

Online shopping has become more interactive over time, with customers able to make purchases through their mobile devices and gain access to product information as well as reviews before they buy.This trend will continue in 2022 as brands look for ways to make their websites more responsive and personalised for their customers.Interactive technologies give your customers more control over their shopping experience. They can easily browse products and make purchases on mobile devices or computers. If you want to stand out from the crowd in 2022, you need to make sure that your eCommerce store has interactive features like these:1) Live chat - Live chat allows customers to communicate directly with representatives from your business at any time of day or night. The representatives can answer questions about products or services, help with returns and refunds, and even offer coupons if they're available!2) 2D barcodes - These barcodes allow you to scan products with smartphones or other devices so customers can access more information about them quickly and easily. For example, if an item has a 2D barcoded sticker on it, customers could scan it with their phones and immediately see product details like price details or reviews from previous buyers!This is very exciting for the future, as from chatbots to augmented reality, there are a variety of new interactive technologies available today that can help brands create more immersive experiences for their customers.

Customisation is set to grow.

Customisation is set to grow. For retailers, this means offering customers an opportunity to create their own product or experience.As consumers increasingly demand more personalised experiences, businesses are looking for ways to deliver. One way they're doing this is by providing customers with options when it comes to design, colour and size — all of which can be done through the use of technology such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR).This is done on multiple levels of online shopping, from shoes at Nike to customising your own car at Range Rover.Customisation can be a way to stand out from the crowd and make your business memorable, but it's also a great way for brands to connect with consumers on an emotional level. You're giving them something they want, which helps establish trust between you and them—and that's what keeps people coming back for more!

Customer loyalty programs are becoming more important than ever before.

The customer is king, and that's especially true in eCommerce.With so many options available to customers, it's vital that brands understand how to ensure loyalty and long-term retention.Brands can use customer loyalty programs to increase the lifetime value of their customers. Customer loyalty programs can also help increase sales by offering incentives for repeat purchases, such as discounts or points that can be redeemed for rewards.ECommerce giant Shein offers points that can be used in exchange for money discounts on purchases (100 points = £1).Customer loyalty programs are an important way for eCommerce brands to develop relationships with their customers and build trust in the brand.Having said that, a loyalty program can be as simple as sending emails or text messages with exclusive discounts and offers to your customers or as complex as a multi-tier reward system that ranks customers based on how much money they spend with you over time.By rewarding customers for buying from your store, you're creating a positive experience for both parties that will lead to increased sales and repeat business.

Customers will choose sustainability.

The world is changing at a rapid pace, which means we are faced with many challenges as well as opportunities. One of these challenges is sustainability — how can we make sure that our planet is healthy enough to sustain life?Consumers are becoming more aware of the impact their shopping habits have on the environment, and they want to support brands that are doing good by their products and customers.As a result, we’re seeing more customers asking questions about how their favourite brands are helping the environment. They want to know exactly where their products come from and how they're made — even if it costs more money or takes longer to ship them out the door.Customers will be more educated about the products they buy. Consumers are becoming more aware of what goes into making products like clothing or furniture. They're also becoming better educated on what can be recycled or composted instead of thrown away in a landfill.As more people become aware of how their purchases affect their health and the environment, they're looking for ways to make their lives more sustainable. This means choosing products that are eco-friendly, recyclable or biodegradable over products with fewer environmental benefits.This trend will only grow stronger over time, leading to more brands making sustainable practices part of their business strategy.

Conversational commerce grows.

Conversational commerce is a growing trend in eCommerce. It refers to the use of digital technology to facilitate conversations between businesses and their customers.Conversational commerce is already here. And now, it's time to get serious about it.It has many benefits for both businesses and consumers. For example, it can help reduce customer service costs and improve customer satisfaction levels by providing easy-to-use tools for interacting with companies without having to contact them directly over the phone or by email.Conversational commerce comes in many forms and has many uses. For example:1) Voice assistants can save you time by answering questions or completing tasks for you. They can also answer questions from customers directly instead of having to go through an agent or wait on hold for someone to pick up the phone.2) Chatbots are useful for providing customer service in real-time or allowing customers to purchase products directly from your website without having to leave it open all day long (and without having to pay extra for support agents).3) SMS notifications are great for reminders about appointments or shipping dates, but they're also good for sending out coupons or alerts when something goes on sale or reaches a certain price point.The biggest advantage for businesses is that it allows them to interact with customers in real-time. This means they can respond faster to inquiries and questions, which makes customers feel valued and appreciated.

The challenge of eCommerce

The eCommerce landscape is constantly changing and evolving, making it hard for retailers to stay ahead of the curve.The solution? In order to keep up with the latest trends in eCommerce, you need to be able to adapt quickly — both in terms of your business strategy and your technology.However, here are three ways to help you stay up-to-date with eCommerce trends so you can be successful in your online store.

1. Keep up with industry news and trends

Finding out about new products, services, and policy changes in the eCommerce world is critical for keeping your business relevant.Read industry blogs, newsletters, and magazines to stay informed about what's happening in eCommerce. You'll learn about new trends like mobile commerce and social media marketing, which can help you grow your business.

2. Test new ideas

Once you've learned about a new trend or idea, test it out on your site!Take advantage of tools like Google Analytics to track which parts of your site are most popular with customers, then use this data to determine if implementing a new feature would be beneficial for your store's bottom line.For example, if you notice that customers are spending more time on certain pages than others during their shopping experience with your store, consider adding more content or photos to those pages to make them more engaging for users.

3. Hand it to the professionals

The eCommerce market is growing. And while it’s easy to get started, it’s not so easy to build a successful business.There are plenty of eCommerce platforms out there that can help you get your store up and running quickly. But if you want to be successful, you need a solid strategy and support behind that strategy.At 303 London, we offer creative services as well as social media and advertising management to help you reach your business goals. Look, you should focus on creating a great product while we think outside the box to come up with creative solutions for your eCommerce business.

Key takeaways

If you're an entrepreneur or work in eCommerce, these trend predictions are great food for thought.Adding as few as two or three of these ideas to your business could have a dramatic effect on customer loyalty and sales.With that said, it's hard to know exactly which trends will make the biggest splash in the coming years. It's more likely that multiple trends will coexist and be adopted by businesses for different reasons.As such, it's important to keep up with each trend and decide which are best for your business—and your customers. Whatever you do, though, don't leave your eCommerce strategy behind in this ever-changing technological sea!These trends are just the beginning. We will see more innovation, more change, and more new experiences in the future. Consumers expect it from brands, eCommerce shops must provide it to stay relevant to their customers and grow sales.As eCommerce grows and evolves, the best companies will strive to create the most seamless shopping experience possible, while exceeding their customers' expectations. Smaller startups and innovators might also shake up the space with new technologies and fresh ideas.