Top 10+ eCommerce Trends to Watch Out in 2024

The eCommerce field is evolving rapidly globally. To remain competitive and relevant, online businesses must stay abreast of the latest eCommerce trends and adapt to the ever-changing demands of consumers.

In this post, BSS Commerce Shopify will suggest the 10+ latest eCommerce trends for 2024. You should consider these potential trends when launching an online store this year. We will delve into popular eCommerce trends, ranging from customer service and data privacy to cutting-edge technological solutions like AI, AR, VR, and the headless environment.

Through this post, you will be better equipped to meet the future expectations of the eCommerce industry, explore innovative ways to enhance operational efficiency and provide customers with a great online shopping experience.

Top 10+ eCommerce Trends to Follow in 2024

In 2024, there are many new trends poised to ignite significant expansion for your eCommerce business, and this post on the BSS Commerce Shopify blog has identified the top 10+ eCommerce trends in 2024 that we believe will change how people buy and conduct transactions online.

#1. Social Commerce

Social commerce is expected to be one of the most significant eCommerce trends in 2024. Social commerce is the seamless integration of eCommerce and social media platforms. Retailers across the globe have been leveraging social networks for communication and promotional purposes for quite some time now, thanks to their extensive reach.

As the demand for convenient online shopping continues to rise, businesses are tapping into the eCommerce potential of these platforms. Through social media, consumers can now make purchases without having to leave the platform, resulting in a swift and direct customer experience.

Research data from Statista

The use of social commerce for various purposes is steadily gaining traction. The global revenue from social commerce is projected to reach 913 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and is expected to exceed 6 trillion U.S. dollars by 2030.

Source: Statista

In particular, Asian countries have embraced social shopping, with over 80 percent of the online population in Thailand, India, and China engaging in social buying. For perspective, China’s social commerce retail sales are nearly ten times higher than those of the U.S.

Explore now: Social E-Commerce Examples

#2. Short-form Video

The emergence of short-form content on social media, initially popularized by TikTok and swiftly replicated through Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, has promoted the digital space. These bite-sized videos, typically lasting no longer than 60 seconds, not only offer easily consumable and highly addictive content but also provide a level of accessibility that allows anyone with a smartphone to become a content creator. Recognizing the value of TikTok and short-form videos as a marketing tool, brands have swiftly capitalized on this trend to connect with younger audiences.

According to HubSpot’s 2023 Social Media Marketing Report, social media marketers are planning to heavily invest in short-form videos this year. Out of the 1,000+ marketers surveyed, 33 percent intend to prioritize this relatively new format in 2023. Brands that embrace the platform’s creative and fun-loving nature, crafting content that aligns with the latest trends and challenges, have the potential to reach millions of users.

Therefore, it can be claimed that short-form video is one of the next eCommerce trends worth applying for business in 2024.

Learn more: 5 Key Pillars of Shopify Social Media Marketing to Boost Your Brand

#3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

In 2024, we can expect to see more eCommerce businesses adopting AR and VR technologies.

Augmented reality (AR) allows customers to visualize products in their environment before making a purchase. For example, furniture retailers can offer AR features that allow customers to see how a piece of furniture would look in their home to help customers make more informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of returns.

Virtual reality (VR), on the other hand, can provide a fully immersive shopping experience. Customers can use VR headsets to navigate virtual stores, examine products in 3D, and even try on clothes or accessories. This can make online shopping more interactive and enjoyable, and it is also beneficial for retailers that sell products that customers typically prefer to see in person before buying.

The AR and VR market is anticipated to be a lucrative sector, with projected revenues reaching $38.6 billion in 2024. Furthermore, the market is expected to experience substantial growth over the next few years, with an annual growth rate of 10.77% from 2024 to 2028. This steady growth is predicted to result in a market volume of $58.1 billion by 2028.

#4. Direct Messages (DMs) for Customer Service

The next eCommerce trend in 2024 is direct messages (DMs) for customer service, which involves businesses using direct messaging platforms, such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or Instagram DMs, to provide customer support.

DMs offer a more personal and immediate way to communicate with customers. Customers can ask questions, resolve issues, or provide feedback directly through the platform they are already using, making the process more convenient and efficient.

Furthermore, DMs allow businesses to provide more personalized customer service. Businesses can use the information available on social media profiles to understand their customers’ preferences and provide tailored responses.

#5. Livestream Shopping (Live Commerce)

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the popularity of online shopping, which brought about a wave of fresh developments in the eCommerce industry. Notably, livestream shopping, or live commerce, emerged as the most prominent trend.

Livestream shopping, as the name implies, employs video content on digital platforms to promote and sell products and services in real-time. Unlike traditional home shopping TV, this format is entirely digital, enabling interactive communication between buyers and sellers. Consequently, customers can swiftly make purchases of any showcased item, thereby streamlining the overall buying experience.

Shopping through live streams on social networks is gaining immense popularity globally. It is projected that by 2026, the sales from live online shopping will surpass double the current figures, reaching around 67.8 billion U.S. dollars.

#6. Automation and Chatbots

Chatbots, also known as conversational bots or conversational AI, are artificial intelligence pieces of software capable of engaging in natural language conversations through audio or text. Chatbots can engage with online customers like an in-person sales representative. Chatbot technology is employed by eCommerce businesses to optimize resources and reduce costs effectively.

Nowadays, almost all modern consumers desire the convenience of swiftly locating and purchasing products with minimal effort. If this expectation is not met, they become exasperated. That’s precisely where a chatbot can intervene and solve the problem effectively.

In addition to using automation and chatbots, you can also consider using Shopify customer service apps. These apps provide full features to simplify the customer support process effectively. There are two options, including free and paid, that you can choose depending on the size and budget of your business.

#7. Products Video Marketing

The next global eCommerce trend for 2024 is product video marketing, which is used to showcase products, demonstrate their use, and highlight their features and benefits.

Product videos can take various forms, including demonstrations, tutorials, unboxing videos, and customer testimonials. These videos provide a more engaging and immersive shopping experience compared to static images and text descriptions to help customers understand the product better, visualize how it fits into their lives, and make more informed purchasing decisions.

As per Statista, product video marketing has proven to be an immensely popular and effective method of captivating audiences on a global scale. In a recent survey conducted in late 2023 among marketing professionals globally, it was reported that 90% of respondents utilized YouTube videos for marketing. Following closely behind, Facebook was mentioned by 86% of participants as a platform for marketing purposes. TikTok was utilized by 69% of the marketers interviewed.

#8. Research Online – Purchase Offline (ROPO)

The ROPO effect, also known as Research Online, Purchase Offline, is a significant phenomenon in consumer behavior. It may be challenging to monitor the impact of your online marketing efforts on offline sales. Fortunately, ROPO is a great trend that will offer increased accuracy and reliability in 2024, enabling eCommerce retailers to effectively gauge the influence of their digital advertisements on in-store purchases.

ROPO integrates data from various sources, such as social media, mobile tracking and geolocation, mobile payments, in-store inventory, analytics tools, CRM systems, and more, to identify the specific ads and website pages that drive consumers to make purchases in physical stores.

Thanks to an understanding of which digital advertisements are most effective in driving sales, eCommerce companies can develop more targeted campaigns with higher conversion rates and have confidence that their online efforts are making a meaningful impact on their customers.

Suggestion: In addition to eCommerce trends, research online and purchase offline (ROPO). You can consider Shopify POS, which allows seamless integration with both online and offline sales channels, allowing for instant updates across all platforms.

Additionally, inventory features help minimize errors and boost profits through sale item suggestions, demand forecasting, low stock reports, and detailed inventory analysis. Besides, marketing integrations of Shopify POS like custom-printed receipts and social media campaigns drive traffic between online and offline stores.

#9. Machine Learning and AI

Machine learning can analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and make predictions. In eCommerce, machine learning can be used for tasks such as predicting customer behavior, personalizing product recommendations, and optimizing pricing strategies. For example, machine learning algorithms can analyze a customer’s browsing history and purchase history to recommend products that they are likely to be interested in.

According to research data from Statista, the machine learning industry is projected to experience substantial expansion in the upcoming years, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 18.7% from 2023 to 2030.

#10. Flexible Payment Options

Online payment methods are expected to evolve significantly as a part of eCommerce trends in 2024, thanks to providing secure, fast, and convenient payment options for customers.

• Digital Wallets: Digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal are likely to become even more popular. It offers a quick and secure way to pay, with users not needing to enter their card details for every transaction.
• Cryptocurrencies: As the use of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum becomes more widespread, more online retailers may start accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment to ensure a new level of privacy and security for customers.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): BNPL services like Afterpay and Klarna are expected to continue their rise in popularity, which allow customers to purchase items immediately and pay for them over a set period, often without interest or fees.

Research data from Statista shows that mobile wallets constituted approximately 50% of all eCommerce payment transactions worldwide in 2022, establishing the digital wallet as the predominant online payment method globally. This proportion is projected to rise to more than 54% by 2026.

#11. Voice and Visual Searches

With the increasing use of voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri, voice searches are expected to rise significantly. Customers can simply voice their queries, making the search process more convenient, especially when they are multitasking or on the go. In 2024, eCommerce businesses will likely optimize their websites for voice search, focusing on conversational keywords and phrases that users are likely to speak rather than type.

With visual searches, it allows customers to search for products using images instead of text. For example, a customer could take a photo of a dress they like and use it to find similar products online. This can make the search process more intuitive and efficient.

However, businesses will need to ensure that their voice and visual search technologies are user-friendly and accurate. At the same time, consider privacy and security issues related to the use of these technologies.

#12. Fast and Free Delivery Options

Because of the powerful competition among eCommerce businesses, it has become challenging for them to stand out solely based on their product selection. Consequently, shipment options are a crucial factor influencing purchase decisions.

Almost all online eCommerce stores offer comparable prices, so online shoppers prioritize convenience throughout the entire shopping journey, from checkout to delivery. It could include same-day delivery, next-day delivery, or even delivery within a few hours for local areas. Your businesses may also offer free delivery for orders above a certain amount or for customers who are part of a loyalty program.

Source: Statista

According to Statista Consumer Insights, free shipping is the most significant consideration when selecting a delivery option, closely followed by fast shipping and shipment tracking. While free returns also hold importance, sustainability-related aspects like waste reduction or the ability to consolidate parcels in a single shipment are not as widely regarded as decisive factors.

Can say that the eCommerce field in 2024 is set to be dynamic and exciting, with appealing trends. These trends will offer businesses numerous opportunities to enhance their operations, improve the customer experience, and gain a competitive edge. However, to fully leverage these trends, businesses will need to stay informed, be adaptable, and make the right decision based on the considerations to take advantage of eCommerce trends for 2024.

In the section below, we will provide 5 key considerations in choosing these trends.

5 Key Considerations to Take Advantage of eCommerce Trends for 2024

Not all trends are worth pursuing, so how do you determine which one is truly worth your investment? While some trends can greatly benefit your business, others may not resonate with your target audience or may not be financially feasible for your eCommerce business to sustain a return on investment.

Understanding which trends align with your business will require a deep understanding of your customers, industry, and competitors. There are 5 key considerations you can employ to assess industry trends and make the right decision for your business, as follows:

#1. Follow industry influencers and publications

Stay informed about industry trends by regularly reading blogs and industry news. You can begin by identifying key influencers and industry publications, then expand your scope to include other markets for a comprehensive understanding.

#2. Read up-to-date industry research and trend studies

It is inevitable for every sector to undergo changes at some stage, and keeping abreast of developments through reports and data is crucial to future directions. The statistics presented in reports are typically derived from reliable research from reputable sources. Therefore, by staying informed about industry developments regularly, your business can develop a keen understanding of which trends are worth pursuing and which ones can be put on hold.

#3. Use digital technologies and analytics to understand your customers’ behavior

It is recommended to use customer data to assess the suitability of a trend for your business. What insights do the figures reveal? While certain trends may be successful for other businesses, you have the advantage of understanding your customers better. So, you should employ multiple data collection methods to analyze customer trends from various perspectives. By analyzing these statistics, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the trends in your business. Will embracing a new trend disrupt your customers’ behavior?

#4. Gather feedback from your customers

Do not hesitate to inquire about the needs of your existing customers. Receiving feedback from current customers can provide valuable insights into emerging trends, enabling you to develop more targeted strategies for the future. It is possible that a customer could propose an idea that had not crossed your mind before.

#5. Analyze your competitors

Analyzing competitors is a crucial step in leveraging eCommerce trends in 2024, which involves understanding their strategies, strengths, weaknesses, and customer base to identify what they’re doing well and where they’re falling short. For instance, are they using AI for personalized recommendations? Or perhaps they’re leveraging social media for customer engagement?

With these considerations about choosing the most suitable eCommerce trends in this section, your business will have a better understanding of the central aspect to be considered.

Ending Words – eCommerce Trends

In general, there are numerous advancements taking place in the field of eCommerce. With the constant evolution of technology and people, eCommerce serves as a platform that brings everything together. As a result, it is important to note that it is never too late to embrace new opportunities, acquire new knowledge, and assess whether they are suitable for your business.

BSS Commerce Shopify hopes that the top 10+ most popular eCommerce trends provided in this post are useful for you and will support you in choosing the top trends in eCommerce to successfully apply to your eCommerce business. Lastly, don’t miss out on any posts on our site to explore more about news, knowledge, tips, and tutorials about the eCommerce and Shopify industries.

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