Are you looking for ways to improve the mobile experience of your Ecommerce website? Want to know the emerging trends in the mobile Ecommerce arena?

The world of ecommerce has evolved rapidly over the years, and one of the most significant shifts has been the increasing dominance of mobile commerce, or m-commerce. With the proliferation of smartphones and the ever-growing convenience they offer, it’s no surprise that mobile ecommerce has become a driving force in the online retail industry.

In 2017, this trend reached new heights, reshaping the way online shop owners do business and interact with their customers. In this blog post, we will delve into the key mobile ecommerce trends that took center stage in 2017 and explore what online shop owners needed to know to stay ahead of the curve.

Perception System share the info you need to know in this infographic.

 

The Mobile Revolution

Mobile devices have fundamentally transformed the way we shop online. With the convenience of mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites, consumers can now browse products, make purchases, and track deliveries from the palm of their hands. According to Statista, global mobile retail commerce sales amounted to $1.357 trillion in 2017, and this number has continued to rise since then.

1. Mobile-First Design

One of the most crucial trends in mobile ecommerce in 2017 was the shift towards Mobile-First Design. As more and more consumers began shopping on their mobile devices, it became imperative for online shop owners to prioritize the mobile user experience. Mobile-first design involves creating a website or app with mobile users in mind from the outset, rather than as an afterthought.

Key considerations for mobile-first design include:

• Responsiveness: Ensuring that your website or app adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and orientations.
• Speed: Mobile users expect fast-loading pages. Slow loading times can lead to high bounce rates.
• User-friendly navigation: Simplifying menus and making it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.
• Mobile payment options: Providing convenient and secure payment options optimized for mobile devices.

By embracing mobile-first design, online shop owners can create a better shopping experience for their mobile customers and increase their chances of converting visitors into buyers.

2. Mobile Wallets and Payment Apps

In 2017, mobile wallets and payment apps gained significant traction in the ecommerce space. Services like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal became increasingly popular, offering consumers a convenient and secure way to make mobile payments. These payment methods streamline the checkout process, reducing friction and cart abandonment rates.

Online shop owners should consider integrating mobile wallet and payment app options into their ecommerce platforms to cater to the preferences of mobile shoppers. Additionally, implementing security measures to protect customer data is crucial to build trust among users.

3. Personalization and AI

Personalization has been a buzzword in ecommerce for years, but in 2017, it took on new dimensions with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered algorithms can analyze customer behavior, preferences, and purchase history to deliver highly personalized product recommendations and shopping experiences.

Online shop owners should explore AI-driven personalization tools and strategies to enhance the mobile shopping experience. This might include recommending products based on a customer’s browsing history, sending personalized promotions, or offering tailored content and product suggestions.

4. Chatbots and Customer Support

Chatbots became increasingly popular in 2017 as a means of providing instant customer support through mobile devices. These automated chat systems can answer common customer inquiries, provide product information, and even process orders. By integrating chatbots into their mobile apps or websites, online shop owners can improve customer service and enhance the shopping experience.

5. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

While AR and VR were still in the early stages of adoption in 2017, they held immense potential for mobile ecommerce. AR, in particular, allowed customers to visualize products in their real-world environments before making a purchase. For example, furniture retailers could enable customers to see how a sofa would look in their living room using AR technology.

Online shop owners looking to stay ahead of the curve should keep an eye on the development of AR and VR applications for ecommerce and consider how they can integrate these technologies to create immersive and interactive shopping experiences.

6. Social Commerce

Social media platforms played an increasingly significant role in mobile ecommerce in 2017. Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, in particular, introduced features that allowed users to discover and purchase products directly within their apps. This shift toward social commerce blurred the lines between social networking and online shopping.

Online shop owners should leverage social media to promote their products and engage with customers. Additionally, integrating “buy” buttons or direct shopping features on social platforms can streamline the path from discovery to purchase.

7. Mobile-Optimized Content

Content marketing remained a crucial strategy for online shops in 2017. However, the emphasis shifted towards mobile-optimized content. This meant creating blog posts, videos, and other content formats that were easy to consume on mobile devices. Mobile-friendly content helps engage and educate mobile users, driving traffic and conversions.

8. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

Progressive web apps gained momentum in 2017 as a way to combine the best of both worlds: the performance and user experience of a mobile app with the accessibility of a website. PWAs are web applications that load quickly and work seamlessly on mobile devices, offering users a native app-like experience without the need for app downloads and updates.

Online shop owners should explore the benefits of PWAs, such as improved page load times and offline access, to provide a smoother shopping experience for mobile users.

9. Voice Search and Mobile SEO

As voice-activated assistants like Siri and Google Assistant became more prevalent on mobile devices, voice search grew in importance. Online shop owners needed to optimize their content and product listings for voice search to ensure they remained discoverable by voice-activated search engines.

This required focusing on long-tail keywords and conversational phrases that people might use when conducting voice searches. It also emphasized the need for clear and concise product descriptions that answer common questions upfront.

10. Mobile Analytics and Data Insights

To thrive in the mobile ecommerce landscape of 2017 and beyond, online shop owners needed to harness the power of data and analytics. Understanding mobile user behavior, tracking conversions, and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) became essential to making informed decisions and optimizing the mobile shopping experience.

Popular analytics tools like Google Analytics provided insights into user demographics, device usage, and conversion funnels. These insights allowed online shop owners to refine their mobile strategies and tailor their marketing efforts to their target audience.

Conclusion

Mobile ecommerce trends in 2017 ushered in a new era of online shopping, driven by the proliferation of mobile devices and changing consumer preferences. Online shop owners who recognized the significance of mobile-first design, embraced mobile wallets and payment apps, leveraged AI-driven personalization, and explored emerging technologies like AR and VR were well-positioned for success.

As the ecommerce landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial for online shop owners to remain adaptable and stay informed about the latest trends and technologies.