Top 6 E-Commerce Trends in 2022
As a fulfillment company in the e-commerce industry, ShipSage is constantly adapting new practices and trends that will not only benefit the company but more importantly sellers and their user base. Below, we will share our research of the top six e-commerce industry trends for 2022.
1. Buyers’ Convenience
Instant gratification is finally made possible through e-commerce. Did you know you can buy pasta on an online marketplace like Amazon? Online marketplaces give buyers more choices in merchandise than online stores. The expansion of e-commerce in marketplaces like Amazon, Shopify, Wayfair, etc., benefits the seller in terms of having a viable platform for profit, and the buyer in having access to a variety of products anytime. These marketplaces are convenient and save everyone time and money.
2. Vendor Options
The convenience that results from using online marketplaces is great, but so is having more platform options. It seems like the ease-of-use doubles when you realize that you don’t have to put all your eggs in one basket. As a seller, it is encouraged to try and diversify your online selling presence as much as you can. Amazon may be popular and widespread (US and abroad), however diversifying your platform with various marketplace vendors will boost your business with unprecedented traffic and an established, committed user base: “Between Amazon, eBay and Walmart alone, you’re looking at close to nearly 3 billion active monthly visitors.”
Depending on your niche and business goals, it might be a good idea to explore other avenues of selling platforms like Etsy, eBay, Rakuten, Walmart, Shopify, Wayfair, Newegg, Facebook Marketplace, etc. To choose which marketplace(s) suits your business best, you will need to evaluate these elements:
- Type of products you sell.
- Who are your competitors?
- What is your budget/tolerance for fees and expenses?
- Which platform(s) present your preferred user experience?
- What is the customer support features and requirements?
- Are you able to scale your business with this platform?
- Gauge the control you will have over inventory, brand, and customers.
- Which platforms are flexible with your business model?
3. Omnichannel Integrations
Following the selection of compatible vendors, you need to evaluate if the selling platform(s) integrate with multiple marketplaces. “55 percent of shoppers prefer to buy products from brands directly. This is especially true among millennials.” For example, if you are selling on your website, make sure that omnichannel integration is an option. This will aid in organization and centrality when it comes to managing all your marketplaces. These integrations within your business will congregate all your user accounts and listings across the e-commerce platforms you establish.
4. Efficient Communication
Alongside convenience of use and various vendor integrations, e-commerce offers many new ways to communicate with your clients. Since it has become more popular and accessible, users desire a more straightforward way of connecting with you as the seller; they prefer more convenient and comfortable avenues of reaching you when they want to ask a quick question about your product or coordinate with you on their package status. Most platforms have approachable and built-in customer support chat bots, direct messaging capabilities through your business’ social media, or email through your company. Take time to determine which platform would best accommodate efficient communication for your user base.
5. User Data
Another benefit of e-commerce platforms is the collection of user data. With the data you receive from the user’s activity and engagement (clicks, views, product preferences, etc.), you will be able to cultivate reports based on your target audience demographics and habits. In turn, these reports will inform you on how to optimize your listings, advertising, and communication with users. Analyzing user data and optimizing your business based on data reports will help you build a better experience for your audience. However, because of privacy and trust policies, data should be collected, used, and secured responsibly.
6. Personalized Products and Marketing
Ever since the digital era prompted e-commerce availability, personalization and brand image have been elevated. Whether you’re selling through your business website or marketplace(s), there are so many options for personalizing your merchandise. For example, you can enact this through pop-up chats/design elements, follow-up emails with relevant marketing offers, booklets and coupons to accompany your product, brand specific packaging, and more. There is no such thing as too many stickers! E-commerce has given you the opportunity to express your brand creativity and voice.
The Final Word
The Top 6 trends are quite useful for you to explore as you grow your business, but it would be easier if you could discover the ultimate platform that can help you scale your business with these e-commerce trends. Here’s some good news: ShipSage can apply all six trends. Our software offers omnichannel integrations: 100+ API/EDI/shopping cart connections with marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, Etsy, eBay, Newegg, and more.
In addition, ShipSage also offers order fulfillment, pick and pack services with your brand specific packaging, and shipment and delivery with various partner carriers. You can sell your products on your website and get them fulfilled with ShipSage all in one place. How convenient is that?
