Mobile trends and innovations are completely revolutionising the way we think, purchase, and interact throughout our day to day lives. In this post we are going to cover how ecommerce is changing and conforming to the mobile trends that are getting introduced and utilised throughout the world of smartphones and the internet.
Mobile Device Behaviour and Use
10% of people grab their smartphones as soon as they wake up, 33% pick them up within five minutes of waking
Mobile device use and behaviour has been skyrocketing since 2007 when the first iPhone came on the market. Technology not only is still improving each day, but getting more necessary to complete daily tasks. I would say that it is just the internet that is necessary, but mobile vs desktop ecommerce is a shifting to now deliver a completely different experience for the user, and mobile is taking over.
Mobile devices can vary from a tablet, smart watch, or smartphone, but what is important to consider, is how the behaviours and experiences users have while consuming information on each of these devices differs from one another.
For example, the smartphone is used for scrolling, browsing, and viewing, while the smart watch is used for quick tasks using the personal assistant feature. Either way, a whole lot of time is spent on these devices. According to OFCOM, smartphone users spend average of two hours and 28 minutes on their smartphones per day, 10% of people grab their smartphones as soon as they wake up, 33% pick them up within five minutes of waking.
Behind the Mobile Revolution
The revolution of mobile devices has dictated how we now live our lives. There is now a term, Nomophobia, described to be the “fear of being without your phone”. The innovation behind the mobile device is so powerful that users feel completely drawn to it and works almost as a servant to do tasks for us.
With how it is changing and revolutionising, users won’t even have to leave their bed to do tasks that, prior to this, would have required going to stores, meeting with store employees, etc. This transformation of the world of mobile devices sparks great potential for mobile commerce.
Mobile Commerce Insights
Mobile commerce is used every day, even for customers who shop in store. Whether customers are looking up reviews, comparing pricing, or browsing for similar options-mobile commerce is heavily used. According to the latest Global Payment Trends report from Worldpay, mobile commerce sales are growing at an average of 16 per cent every year, well outpacing desktop sales growth of five per cent.
In the UK, the world’s third-largest mobile commerce market, it is expected to be worth $314.5 billion (£243.7 billion) by 2022, a rise of 55 per cent.
Not only are online shoppers taking prominence over in store shoppers, but on top of that, mobile ecommerce statistics predict that by 2021, 54% of ecommerce sales will all be done on a mobile device according to eMarketer.
With that being said, it is clear that online shopping and ecommerce is quickly taking over. With this brings more technology innovations approaching and sparks new Ecommerce Retail Trends for 2019 that you definitely have, or will soon, see on mobile sites.
Top 10 Mobile Commerce Trends: 2019
1. Augmented Reality Shopping
Augmented Reality (“AR”) shopping is a different take on virtual reality. Being able to digitally see what a certain product or piece will look like in a given space allows customers to feel confident buying things, such as furniture, online without going to see it first in the store. Essentially, eliminating the extra step of going to see it in the store.
2. One Click Payments
The feature of being able to purchase products with the tap of a button truly is changing how ecommerce sells. Taking away the second thoughts and immediately making a sale will drive more sales and eliminate items being left in a cart without purchase.
3. In App Purchasing
Social media apps, such as Instagram, have now incorporated a feature where businesses can provide direct links and purchase options directly on their post. Giving users a convenient link, essentially doing the extra work for the customers and driving them directly to the sale.
4. Visual Search
Visual Search allows the user to simply snap a photo of a product they want and get linked directly to where the product is sold. It doesn’t get easier than this!
5. Chatbots
Chatbots are a great way to allow the customer to feel heard when making a sale online. Immediately having an automatic messaging system pop up and direct the customer to where they need to go is not only genies, but also incredibly convenient.
6. DTC Brands
DTC brands, also known as direct to customer brands, are essentially brands who work on their own, cutting out the retailer, or “middleman”. With this trend, DTC brands have a mobile app that customers can download and shop on. With smartphone features, such as push notifications, these brands are following the trend, as well as getting great exposure.
7. Mobile > Desktop
With the rise of users spending less time on a desktop and more time on their mobile device brings new types of marketing for ecommerce sites as well as focusing more of their time on social media platforms for their sales rather than a website.
8. Video Consumption
As time moves forward, people are more interested in watching something rather than reading type. Ecommerce brands are now telling stories and leaving impressions on users through digital photos, and especially videos.
9. Brand Ambassador Influence
A huge trend that is taking over the internet is brand ambassadors. With YouTube stars driving the amount of influence that celebrities do, ecommerce sites are giving these influencers direct links and coupon codes to bring the customer directly to their product with the click of a button or a simple “swipe up”.
10. Wearable Apps
With devices such as the Apple Watch and Fitbit, users are now able to “wear” their apps. This helps ecommerce sites tremendously because simply by speaking into their device, a product could be ordered. This is just one of the many mobile ecommerce examples that are completely changing the industry.
Takeaways
It is clear that there is a huge mobile revolution going on in that could completely change the ecommerce industry forever. To review, here are the top 10 mobile commerce trends that could change ecommerce forever.
- Augmented Reality Shopping
- One Click Payments
- In App Purchasing
- Visual Search
- ChatBots
- DTC Brands
- Mobile >Desktop
- Video Consumption
- Brand Ambassador Influence
- Wearable Apps
