Changing trends in global e-commerce

New technologies used in eCommerce emerge regularly. As a result, online
businesses must adapt to the latest trends and the needs of today’s
customers.

Online shopping is particularly gaining momentum, resulting in whopping
eCommerce sales growth. The eCommerce revenue in the US alone, estimated at
$900 billion in 2022, will reach over
$1.7 trillion
in 2027.

This article will shed light on the new trends in eCommerce and their
influence on applications and other software.

The past few years have been transformative for the e-commerce industry, with the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a surge in online shopping. This has resulted in the global e-commerce sales exceeding USD 5.211 trillion, according to Statista.

As we look towards the year 2023, it is important for online retailers to keep up with the latest e-commerce trends in order to stay competitive and attract new customers. In this article, we will identify the top e-commerce trends for 2023 and provide actionable insights to help you optimize your online store for maximum conversion rates and customer retention.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the adoption of new technologies, such as AI and AR, which will play a crucial role in shaping the future of e-commerce. By embracing these technologies and incorporating them into their e-commerce strategy, retailers can offer a more personalized and immersive shopping experience, leading to increased customer loyalty and higher sales.

To help you navigate these trends, we have created an informative infographic summarizing the key takeaways. So, whether you’re just starting out in e-commerce or looking to take your online store to the next level, this article will provide you with the insights and inspiration you need to succeed.

• Integrating AR into an e-commerce platform allows potential customers to visualize products and “try before they buy” completely online.
• Low code platforms speed up time to market and reduce the technical complexity of creating e-commerce apps.
• New payment methods provide opportunities to reduce payment friction, lower fees, and increase consumer privacy.
• Headless e-commerce platforms like fabric give developers the flexibility to create solutions that meet the demands of modern omnichannel sales models.

E-commerce sales are projected to continue to grow at an impressive rate over the next few years. For example, according to eMarketer, U.S. retail e-commerce sales are expected to surpass the $1 trillion mark for the first time in 2022. And the growth doesn’t stop there. The same data suggests the market will exceed $1.6 trillion in 2025, representing an 18.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2019-2025.

That impressive growth rate represents an opportunity for merchants and e-commerce developers to create solutions that fulfill market demands. Here, to help you stay ahead of the curve, we’ll take a look at some of the new e-commerce technologies and trends expected to impact the space in 2023 and beyond.

E-commerce development trends change fast

While some aspects of e-commerce design are timeless, development trends in the industry change rapidly. The latest technology in e-commerce from the 2010s is now often a widely-adopted best practice or out-of-date.

For example, SSL everywhere, mobile-friendly web pages, and fast page load times are table stakes in 2023. Similarly, while monolithic e-commerce sites are still popular, microservices are emerging as a better e-commerce website architecture.

The e-commerce market is crowded and there are some basics any modern e-commerce site needs to have to be competitive. The new e-commerce technologies and trends we’ll review below go beyond those basics. The developers that get them right can gain a leg up on the competition.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that blends the real physical world with digital content. Today, AR is at an inflection point and is likely to grow rapidly over the next three years.

There are a variety of platforms available to help developers build AR solutions for e-commerce. For example, Google’s open-source (Apache license) ARCore offers SDKs for Android, AR Foundation, iOS, and Unreal Engine. On the other end of the complexity spectrum, commercial platforms like Threekit simplify the process of integrating AR and 3D models to e-commerce sites.

Low code

Low code, also known as citizen development, is an approach to app development that minimizes the need for traditional programming by using visual tools instead. Low code platforms help lower barriers to entry for app creation. That means non-developer employees such as product managers and marketers can now build apps.

However, the more compelling side of low code isn’t about who is building the apps, it’s about the abstraction and automation low code makes possible. With low code platforms such as headless commerce platforms, enterprises can get apps to market quicker, streamline internal processes, and focus more on business objectives and less on technical nuance.

Comparing the development of native mobile apps to hybrid apps built using low code methods is a great way to conceptualize the benefits. Building a native app simply means using a dedicated codebase for a given platform. For example, a developer using Swift to write iOS apps from scratch. There certainly can be performance and customization benefits with native apps but often they’re outweighed by the agility and speed to market of low code.

In fact, one analyst found that 74% of the top 50 retail apps are hybrid apps already using low code. By leveraging low code platforms, merchants can reduce the amount of technical work they need to do and speed up their time to market. This in turn enables rapid innovation and tighter feedback loops.

Non-traditional payment options

Card payments, PayPal, loyalty programs, payment gateways, and merchant accounts have long been staples of e-commerce. New payment options are some of the most popular e-commerce technologies and trends in 2023. In particular, these forms of payment are beginning to change the online payment landscape:

Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay

BNPL platforms such as Affirm, PayPal Pay Later, and Klarna offer e-commerce customers flexible payment options for high-ticket items. Instead of paying all at once, they’re able to make more affordable payments over time.

From the merchant perspective, these BNPL platforms can be a conversion tool that helps reduce abandoned carts. Additionally, they can de-risk payment plans for merchants because with most BNPL platforms the merchant receives their payment upfront.

From a developer’s perspective, many BNPL platforms provide APIs that streamline the integration process. For example, Affirm and Klarna have extensive API docs for their platforms.

Cryptocurrency

Adopting the latest technology in e-commerce comes with new challenges for developers, and these new payment methods are no different. The ease of integration varies significantly depending on your existing e-commerce platform and what security and compliance requirements you must meet. The e-commerce businesses that quickly adopt the payment methods their customers prefer can eliminate friction from the purchasing process and improve overall customer experiences.

Omnichannel commerce

In 2023, omnichannel commerce’s popularity and personalized customer experiences are likely to continue to grow. To keep up with the trend, developers will need to build solutions that can interface with multiple endpoints and provide a seamless customer experience.

In practice, a headless architecture that uses e-commerce APIs and a robust and up-to-date central hub for product data is the most reliable and scalable mechanism to meet the demands of omnichannel commerce. For example, an e-commerce business using a modern digital experience platform (DXP) that includes a headless content management system (CMS) can manage, create, and publish data across multiple online channels based on specific customer profiles.

#6 Re-commerce

Re-commerce, the practice of reselling used goods, is becoming a mainstream trend. As consumers become more conscious of the environmental impact of fast fashion and fast consumption, they are turning towards buying and selling used goods.

A report by ThredUp reveals that the resale market is projected to reach $64 billion by 2024, a huge increase from its current size. The report also shows that the resale market is growing 21 times faster than the traditional retail market. With the rise of online marketplaces for secondhand goods, re-commerce has never been more accessible, convenient, and profitable.

Sustainability is now essential

Eco-conscious consumers are increasingly choosing to shop with sustainable brands. As well as minimizing packaging and using recycled materials for your products wherever possible, you need to be mindful of who you choose as a logistics partner.

Next step

Conversational marketing is a growing trend in the e-commerce industry, leveraging technology such as chatbots, messaging apps, and voice assistants to interact with customers in a more personalized and engaging way. This approach allows for real-time, two-way communication between brands and customers, enabling businesses to address customer needs more effectively and build stronger relationships.

#4 Understanding of customers’ beliefs

According to a recent study conducted by NielsenIQ, 78 percent of consumers in the United States consider a sustainable lifestyle to be significant. It is important for companies to understand their customers’ beliefs and values to create more meaningful connections with them.

By aligning with customers on social and environmental issues, companies can build trust, loyalty, and a sense of community with their audience. Moreover, it can enhance brand reputation and increase sales. Therefore, companies that prioritize sustainability and transparency in their operations and communication can benefit from a competitive advantage in the market.

Chatbots will be everywhere

Chatbots will increasingly be used for customer support in e-commerce, with the global market expected to be worth US$3.99 billion by 20304.

As the e-commerce market becomes ever more competitive, efficient customer service from a chatbot can be the difference between a frustrated customer leaving your webstore to shop elsewhere, and staying to make a purchase.

The most sophisticated chatbots can even use a customer’s previous data to anticipate which products will appeal to them or suggest a product that complements a recent purchase – boosting sales further.

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Voice search and visual search will both grow

Voice search is a fast-growing online shopping trend. Nearly half (47%) of shoppers have used voice command technology to make an online purchase and 58% were satisfied with the experience3.

Smart e-commerce business owners will need to optimize their e-commerce stores for voice search on Google, using keywords and phrases.

Visual search – allowing consumers to carry out searches using images – is a less developed e-commerce trend, with only 8% of brands offering it currently. However, with 62% of Millennials and Gen Z wanting to use visual search, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes mainstream.

Next steps

Optimizing for conversion

In an economic climate where people are spending less, it’s vital to convert visitors to your webshop into purchasers. Using conversion rate optimization (CRO) tools can help you achieve this. They include behavior analytics tools, web analytics tools and CRO testing tools.

#2 AR and VR

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are becoming increasingly popular in the world of e-commerce, and for good reason. They offer an immersive and interactive experience for customers, allowing them to visualize products in a way that was previously impossible.

By leveraging these technologies, retailers can provide their customers with a more engaging shopping experience, resulting in increased brand loyalty and higher sales. It is predicted that the VR retail solutions market will grow to approximately $5.5 billion by 2028, whereas the AR retail market is projected to reach around $6.7 billion in size.

On-site shopping will be more personalized – or not

Data collected by AI allows businesses to deliver customers personalized experiences when shopping online – such as tailored product recommendations. This incentivizes shoppers to complete the purchase.

However, consumers are increasingly resistant to sharing their data. This will be especially true when that personalization expands out of shopping platforms and begins to appear elsewhere, on other gadgets in the home, thanks to the Internet of Things.

• Use your customers’ past purchasing history to send them deals and discounts on related products.
• Be sure to flag your data privacy policy whenever you ask customers for information.

#10 OOH Delivery

Out-of-home (OOH) delivery is a growing trend in the world of e-commerce, as consumers seek more convenience in their shopping experiences. OOH delivery refers to the delivery of products to public locations such as parks or offices, making it easier for consumers to receive their purchases without having to be at home.

According to a report by McKinsey, 60% of consumers are willing to try OOH delivery. This trend is expected to continue to grow in popularity as more retailers and delivery services adopt this model, offering greater flexibility and convenience for consumers.

Subscriptions

Online subscriptions meet the need for both customer convenience and predictable, regular revenue for businesses.

Subscriptions can be used for everything from streaming services like Netflix, to regular deliveries of food and other essentials. The model is also growing in popularity amongst Millennials, so it looks like it’s here to stay. In fact, it’s expected to be worth $2419.69 billion10 by 2028.

• Customers love a deal – they’ll only join your subscription service if it works out as cheaper than buying ad hoc, so be prepared to offer discounts.
• Create a sense of community by giving special treats to members – like a discount code on their birthday.

M-commerce will continue growing

Mobile commerce, or m-commerce, can be defined as the buying and selling of goods and services using wireless handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Customers can shop anytime, anywhere – meaning lucrative opportunities for your business.

According to Statista5, smartphone retail commerce sales are projected to top US$400 billion by 2024, nearly double the amount forecast for 2021.

• Ensure your current website is optimized for mobile.
• Even better, invest in a dedicated mobile app for your business – conversion rates through mobile apps are 130% higher compared to mobile-first websites.

Returns remain a dilemma

Research shows that free returns are a huge draw for consumers, yet around 30% of all online orders are returned, making it an expensive feature for businesses to offer.

One of the emerging e-commerce trends is businesses charging a fee for returns – with retail giants like Zara and Uniqlo introducing the policy last year. So, what should your business do?

• You could offer free returns to your customers for a trial period to assess whether the increased sales eclipse the cost to your business.
• Prevention is better than cure – look to reduce your returns rate in the first place with these tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

E-commerce uses innovative technologies in 2022 such as social
commerce, Livestream commerce, BOPIS, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL),
mobile shopping, AI-powered personalizations, AI-content creation,
and much more.

What future eCommerce technology will become Top 1 in 2023?

Social commerce is expected to be the most in-demand e-commerce
technology in 2023. This is due to the fact that every year more and
more purchases on the Internet occur through social networks.

What technology is used in e-commerce websites the most?

For e-commerce websites, the most popular innovation in e-commerce
is the use of progressive web applications. It is this trend that is
now in high demand among eCommerce developers.

What e-commerce trends are most often used by developers when creating
solutions?

Now, most e-commerce development companies often use artificial
intelligence technologies, implement technologies such as BNPL and
develop progressive web applications when creating eCommerce
solutions.

AI will collect even more data

Online customers have come to expect truly personalized experiences online – and that is where the new generation of AI-powered technologies is transformative. It can understand customer behavioral data on a deeper level to help businesses increase customer engagement and conversion rates.

The opportunities AI affords to e-commerce businesses are endless, but some of the ways it can improve operations include:

• Based on previous browsing history data, AI can help businesses deliver highly personalized product recommendations to customers
• AI can improve written and visual content – like product descriptions – to be more accurate and impactful
• AI-powered chatbots can track previous customer conversations to find them a solution quicker

#7 BOPIS

Buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) is a shopping model that allows customers to purchase products online and pick them up in-store, saving time and hassle. BOPIS has become increasingly popular in recent years, and its popularity skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic when customers were hesitant to enter stores.

According to a report by Adobe, BOPIS orders increased by 259% year-over-year in May 2020. This trend is likely to continue as consumers seek out more convenient and contactless shopping options. Retailers that offer BOPIS can benefit from increased foot traffic and customer loyalty, making it a win-win for both customers and businesses.

Sensory shopping is an emerging trend in the retail industry that allows customers to experience products through all five senses, resulting in a more immersive and memorable shopping experience. This approach aims to stimulate emotions and create a stronger emotional connection between customers and brands.

According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets, the sensory marketing market is expected to reach $62.8 billion by 2025. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for unique and personalized shopping experiences that go beyond traditional retail environments.

Sensory shopping is set to play a key role in shaping the future of retail, providing brands with a competitive edge in the crowded e-commerce landscape.

#9 Unified commerce

Unified commerce is a retail strategy that seeks to provide a consistent and seamless shopping experience across all channels. It aims to break down the silos that exist between different sales channels, allowing customers to seamlessly move between them as they shop. This can include online, mobile, and in-store channels.

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global unified commerce market is expected to reach $3.07 trillion by 2023, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 25.2%. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for a more integrated shopping experience and the adoption of new technologies that enable retailers to achieve this goal. By adopting a unified commerce approach, retailers can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as increase sales across all channels.

Softermii’s Experience in eCommerce Technology

Our team is sure that innovation in eCommerce is a great way to reach a new
audience. For example, you can expand your customer base by adding a mobile
application to your online store’s website. We are ready to assist you
in this regard.

Speaking of mobile apps, our company has an
extensive background
in mobile commerce. We acknowledge that the customer experience should be as
smooth as possible.

Our UI/UX designers, in turn, will take care of your online retail platform,
making it clear and simple. We realize all the discomforts that consumers may
experience, so we do everything to keep them from encountering
incomprehensible designs.

Here are some of our prominent cases in the eCommerce field:

Dollar Shave Club

The Softermii development team has created the eCommerce app
Dollar Shave Club. It provides men with
personalized packages and delivery of razor blades, handles, aftershaves, and
other male shaving products.

Challenge

Besides the updated design, our specialists have added several new features to
the application:

Result

The results of our work appeared quickly. The number of people using the app
increased from around 3,900 to over 500,000. Moreover, our team helped the
company get acquired for a billion US dollars.

Esthetic

Our team had to deliver an intuitive app with an effortless 3-step checkout
process. Other challenges included the development of an AI algorithm for
content personalization and multi-warehouse support integration.

We’ve created a Magento module for the fast and simple design of
application pages. Our experts have also integrated Magento 2 payment 3-step
checkout and developed an AI algorithm that personalizes content according to
buyers’ search queries. We also implemented multi-warehouse support for
faster shipping.

Our team created a scalable and performant eCommerce app that offers
exceptional usability for buyers.

Streamotion

We leveraged the livestream commerce trend and successfully implemented it in
our
Streamotion app.

Our team had to enter the emerging livestream commerce market and build a
mobile app using video broadcasting technologies. We also had to implement
group broadcasts and social features like messaging and feed.

We used our WebRTC-based VidRTC engine to implement live streaming and
broadcasting features, including group broadcasts. Our experts also took care
of text chat, feed, and payment integrations.

Riding the trend wave, Streamotion got considerable achievements. The app had
20,000 installs in just two weeks after launch and gathered about 80 sellers.

More payment options

• Online shoppers are 70% more likely to finalize a purchase if their preferred payment method is displayed as an option at checkout, so offer lots of choice – these are the ones to consider.
• If you sell to international customers, be sure to research local payment preferences. Our Country Guides have the insights you need.

The current e-commerce landscape

The global pandemic accelerated the shift from physical retail to e-commerce. According to Forbes1, in 2023, 20.8% of global retail purchases are expected to take place online.

Competition within the e-commerce sector has never been fiercer, so, to stay ahead, business owners need to be aware of the latest trends in e-commerce and integrate those that are relevant into their growth strategy.

The continued importance of video marketing

Video can give customers a much better picture of a product than even the most detailed description, so it’s no wonder it’s a growing trend in online shopping.

You can use video to show the size of a product, how it works, and how it looks. And the more a customer knows about a product before buying, the less likely they are to return it – saving you money in the long run.

AR and VR enhance online shopping

One of the biggest emerging trends in e-commerce is the use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to enhance the online shopping experience.

AR and VR can give customers a far more realistic idea of what a product is actually like – for example, how an item of clothing fits or how a shade of paint looks on a wall in a room. If the technologies are adopted as widely as some experts predict, shoppers will have even less reason to visit bricks-and-mortar stores.

Tessa Wuertz, Director of Marketing & Partnerships at efelle.com, predicts small and medium-sized businesses will increasingly use AR:

“We are expecting a lot more businesses to utilize AR for their products and businesses — so much so that it will become more standard in e-commerce and social media platforms. We’re seeing it put to use with larger companies, but I think we’re soon going to start seeing it become mainstream for businesses of all sizes.”2

#3 Subscription models

The subscription-based business model has seen remarkable growth in recent years, with McKinsey reporting an annual growth rate of over 100% for the subscription e-commerce market over the past five years.

This surge in popularity can be attributed to the convenience and personalization that subscriptions offer to customers. Subscription-based businesses can provide a consistent revenue stream and foster long-term customer loyalty.

Customers also benefit from the convenience of having products delivered regularly without having to worry about reordering. As the e-commerce landscape continues to evolve, subscription-based businesses are likely to remain a popular option for both consumers and retailers alike.

Why eCommerce Technologies Are Driving the Future of Sales

The growing popularity of online retail is directly related to the emergence
of new eCommerce technologies. Online shopping has become more convenient than
ever. As a result, it is not surprising that the eCommerce sector is forecast
to grow by almost
$13 trillion
in the 2022–2027 period.

Discover the global retail eCommerce sales in the chart below:

Insider Intelligence
estimates
that the US B2B eCommerce website sales will grow from $1.9 trillion in 2023
to $2.4 trillion in 2025. Not only online sales but customer demands are
rising as well. The boom in online stores proves this. And that’s from
12 to 24
million eCommerce websites worldwide.

Along with the eCommerce market growth, the
integration of digital and physical experiences will
intensify in 2023. It means customers anticipate innovation not only in online
stores but also in traditional ones. Yet, although buyers are visiting
physical stores, they are now much more comfortable shopping online.

Customers are getting used to the convenient experience of shopping online, so
investing in technology in eCommerce is very promising. Let’s look at
the features and trends already transforming the industry to determine which
technologies are worth the investment.

Read Also: eCommerce Platform Development: Ultimate Guide

Social Commerce

Social networks have long been more than a tool for communication. They open
up new business opportunities like marketing your brand, providing customer
support, and encouraging your clients to shop.

Thus, social commerce is selling goods directly on social networks. This
online retail option offers an entire purchasing experience, from product
discovery to payment.

Statista
predicts that social commerce revenues will reach $2.9 trillion by 2026. It is
approximately five times more than in 2020.

Livestream Commerce

Remember the TV shopping channels?
Livestream commerce
is exactly what you think it is.

It is a video streamed on a commercial platform in which the host shows
viewers different goods in real-time. The audience can easily buy products
directly on the shopping site.

This approach to online retail enables you to present items in all dynamics
and generate client interest by creating urgency with limited-time offers or
limited-quantity products. You may also answer the audience’s questions
regarding the goods in real time.

Read also:
How to Integrate Livestream Commerce into Your Existing Website

Click and Collect or BOPIS

Buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), or click-and-collect is another one of
the current trends in e-commerce technology. This commerce involves buying or
reserving a product online and picking it up at a shop or pickup location. For
company owners, click-and-collect means less money spent on delivery and more
people visiting physical stores.

In the United States, 2022 click-and-collect sales were evaluated at $96
billion. By 2025, the figure is
expected to reach $154 billion.

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)

Buy now, pay later service is one of the emerging eCommerce tech trends. It
allows customers to purchase the goods in interest-free installments.

Such a service became especially popular during the pandemic, as people needed
alternative funding sources and flexibility. Customers preferred not to use
their credit cards when shopping, so BNPL became an ideal option.

There are different types of BNPL:

• One such type is direct providers of such services as
  Afterpay and Klarna. These providers are largely responsible for
  BNPL’s popularity.
• Another type involves facilitators. These are payment
  companies functioning as intermediaries and incorporating their services in
  the BNPL infrastructure. The most popular organizations are Mastercard,
  Shopify, and Stripe.

Buy now, pay later is gaining popularity; in 2025, it may reach
$680 billion
worldwide.

Read also:
Buy Now, Pay Later App Development

Mobile Shopping

Mobile shopping is not just one of the retail tech trends; it is today’s
reality. Every day, more and more people use smartphones, and the role of
these devices in eCommerce is becoming highly significant. It is because many
consumers make purchases using their phones.

So, if you are engaged in online retail and have not yet created a mobile
application for your store, pay attention to this trend.

Read also:
eCommerce App Development Guide

Progressive Web Apps

A progressive web application is a technology that allows you to create web
applications that look like native mobile applications. Developers use web
technologies such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS when building these solutions.

Retail giants such as Alibaba and Walmart have used PWA to generate more
revenue and increase conversion rates. Yet, progressive web apps are perfectly
suitable for small and medium-sized organizations.

PWA’s primary functions include:

• Application access through the smartphone’s home screen
• Offline application access
• Push notifications

Interestingly, according to the
Statista survey of eCommerce companies, 17% have already invested in PWAs or plan to do so. 28% of businesses still
evaluate their opportunities.

Here are a few benefits of progressive web applications:

Capability to reach a broader audience

The PWA, as previously said, operates on any platform. Android, iOS, Windows,
or macOS are all possible. Instead of creating many app versions, make one
universal progressive web application.

Speed and responsiveness

Read also: 10 Things to Know Before Developing eCommerce Website

AI-Powered Personalizations

Personalization is a critical aspect of increasing business profitability.
About
49%
of consumers are more likely to repeat their purchase if the retailer provides
a personalized shopping experience. Artificial intelligence, which allows you
to personalize your online store, is one of the latest e-commerce technology
trends.

Where you can use artificial intelligence:

AI Content Creation

One of the most prominent eCommerce tech trends for 2023 that we will talk
about is AI-based content creation. We already know that artificial
intelligence helps personalize the shopping experience, but what else can you
do with this innovation?

Ross Beyeler, COO of Trellis Commerce, is convinced that artificial
intelligence will be the component that will bring automation and scale to
content-making and brand marketing.

• Visual design. These are, for example, tools such as
  Synthesia or Designs.ai, which use AI to create logos and video content.
• Advertising campaigns. AI used by such services as Pencil,
  Bannerbear, or EXOD automates the creation, testing, and optimization of
  advertising campaigns.
• Content marketing. Frase and Jarvis, which use AI
  technology, help salespeople create copies of a blog, product, or landing
  page.

More businesses will switch to headless commerce

In a recent survey by Salesforce9, 80% of business leaders said they plan to switch to headless commerce. So, what is it and why is it one of the most popular e-commerce trends?

Put simply, headless commerce is a next generation e-commerce solution that decouples a website or application’s front and back ends. It uses application programming interfaces (APIs) to deliver content to any front-end framework.

As a result, customers will be able to shop online via Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as smart speakers, smart fitness devices, or even smart fridges – not just the usual PCs, laptops and smartphones. By bringing together all these online shopping routes, headless commerce increases flexibility, and adds new sales opportunities. And because it can quickly incorporate new sales channels, it can also streamline omnichannel selling.

All these benefits will make headless commerce one of the most future-proof trends in e-commerce.

#1 Personalization through AI

If an email is not personalized, 52% of consumers indicate that they would seek their desired products or services elsewhere.

With AI-powered personalization, retailers can deliver more relevant experiences to their customers. By 2025, it is estimated that the global market for AI in retail will reach $19.9 billion.

According to McKinsey, 71% of consumers expect a customized experience when they shop, and 76% of them feel frustrated when this is not the case. According to the study, companies that excel at customisation processes generate an average of 40% more revenue than their competitors.

Social selling is growing too

With more and more social platforms enabling consumers to buy directly from businesses without leaving the app, social sales are expected to triple to US$1.2 trillion by 2025, according to a study by Accenture7.

For smaller e-commerce businesses in particular, social media commerce represents a cost-effective sales route.

The continued growth of B2B e-commerce

Alongside B2C e-commerce, B2B e-commerce was also boosted by COVID, as traditional B2B transactions were forced online. Furthermore, the change is being driven by an increase in Millennials in key B2B decision-making roles. This generation, which has grown up with the internet, prefers to research products online to dealing with sales people over the phone or in person. All things considered, the growth of B2B appears to be an e-commerce trend that will accelerate rather than reverse.

The internet is full of opportunities for both business owners and threat
actors. Yet, your company’s safety is of the utmost importance.
We’ll tell you why you should take care of your online store’s
security and discuss the hazards and new technologies used in eCommerce
security.

DDoS attacks are no longer the sole domain of modern cybercriminals. Hackers
are developing increasingly complex and powerful methods of harming
businesses. As a result, every retailer should consider securing their online
store.

Threats to online retail platforms that currently exist:

More Sophisticated DDoS Attacks

Severe DDoS attacks usually cause a lot of public disturbance. But hackers
know another, more quiet way to harm the online retail platform. Employees
that work remotely and connect to your system using a VPN might be a line of
focus for an intruder. An attacker can disrupt your remote workforce by
disabling a vulnerable VPN server.

Hacktivism

Hacktivism is a hacking technique used to spread the political agenda. Why
should online retailers be concerned? At least because of capitalism’s
negative impact.

Shortage of Security Personnel

Security professionals’ primary task is keeping your online store safe
and sound. It would be easy to arrange an attack on your eCommerce platform if
you do not have such specialists on site.

Omnichannel Marketing

The simultaneous delivery of promotional messages over many channels is known
as omnichannel marketing. For example, you can communicate your brand through
social media, e-mail, and so on. But when there are several channels, there is
a risk that attackers will intercept your messages.

Fraud

Phishing is the most common type of fraud. By sending fake links, fraudsters
can get personal information from your consumers, including bank account
details.

Consider a Strategy Against DDoS Attacks

A well-thought-out action plan will help you and your workers quickly navigate
during a DDoS attack. This way, you’ll rapidly identify the problem,
suffer minimal harm, and swiftly restore your retail platform.

Set Your Traffic Baseline

When considering traffic management methods, train your personnel to spot DDoS
attacks. That is, if your team is familiar with the baseline level of traffic
on your platform, they will be able to detect any variations from the average
promptly.

Familiarize Your Customers with Cybersecurity

Teaching your employees to recognize suspicious activity on the platform is
not enough. Don’t forget to take care of your customers as well.
Phishing and other scams are becoming more widespread, so make your customers
aware of the potential threats.

Increase the Security by Using APIs

• VPN
• Two-factor authentication
• Firewalls
• Content filtering
• Load balancing

Use Cloud Providers for Traffic Overflow

Let’s go back to the massive DDoS attacks. There is a strong likelihood
that the local equipment will not survive and fail because of these attacks.
As a result, you should consider third-party vendors with cloud-based servers.
Since the cloud has more bandwidth, your online store will be less likely to
crash during a DDoS attack.

Simulate a DDoS Attack to Test Your Online Store Security

It is the final step in protecting your eCommerce platform. After you have
provided all the security measures outlined above, run the simulation. Thanks
to this strategy, you will be able to assess how secure your platform is at
the moment and will be able to correct any weaknesses in your security.

Industry-Wise eCommerce Trends in 2023

Technologies influence all eCommerce niches: beauty, food, retail, and others.
Let’s look at the eCommerce technology list and trends for each
industry.

B2B eCommerce

The B2B sector will pay significant attention to pricing personalization and
real-time pricing in particular. This niche will also adopt in-depth customer
journey analysis and faster order fulfillment.

Beauty eCommerce

This niche will focus on diversity and increased product personalization. The
main goal for 2023 is to bridge the gap between online and brick-and-mortar
beauty stores.

Food eCommerce

Some eCommerce technology examples in this niche include the increased
digitalization of food-related services. So expect to see more food delivery
and restaurant booking apps.

Retail & Grocery eCommerce

Livestream shopping will definitely gain traction in 2023. Purpose-driven
retail brands will also take the stage.

Automotive eCommerce

Expect more automotive companies to apply technology used in online shopping,
especially mobile-friendly solutions. Virtual showrooms will become popular as
well.

Deciding which e-commerce trends to follow

Another good indicator is your own customers. Use analytics to track their behavior and gain insights. By using the data, you may well be able to decide whether a particular online shopping trend will work for your customers. And of course, you can always ask them directly for feedback – always a good source of insights.

Finally, look at your competitors. What are they doing and is it working for them? Then draw your own conclusions.

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Final Thoughts on eCommerce Technology Trends

The field of eCommerce is growing at a breakneck pace. Since more and more
people prefer online shopping, the opportunities for investment in this
industry are considerable.

If you want to implement one of those trends, improve your existing online
store, add new features, or develop an eCommerce platform from scratch,
we’ll gladly assist you in this matter. All you have to do is
get in touch with our team.