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.
In modern times, trading and marketing have just gotten to another level. From the old days when customers went all over the place in search of what they needed, to the modern days where they can make their orders at the comfort of their homes. In a nutshell, e-commerce is the way to go. In e-commerce, quality assurance (QA) or in other terms, software quality assurance (SQA) is essential. These are simply policies put in place in the software engineering process. These policies are meant to improve production methods.
Any business needs quality assurance if they need to be competitive in e-commerce platforms. As competition increases, customers do get lots of options to go for. Additionally, a lot of e-commerce stores offer coupons for different kinds of products to make customers visit their stores even more. That means, any mistake regardless of how simple it may seem e.g. slow loading page, may cost a business its customers which may result in losses, eventually.
Quality assurance may help in detecting and correcting some defects in the e-commerce platform that may result in a loss. Below are some of them:
Outsourced SaaS solutions gaining traction for SAP ERP users
lan-do-check-act (PDCA) is an iterative four-step problem-solving process typically used in business process improvement. It’s also known as the Deming Cycle. When W. Edwards Deming postulated this process, there was no such system as e-commerce.
PDCA has been rarely applied to websites or to the quality of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation, which is often the backbone of the e-commerce website. This is particularly true in SAP ERP implementations. Sam Bayer, Ph.D., founder of b2b2dot0 suggests, “The e-commerce website provides the ultimate ‘check’ of the quality of the ERP configuration, business rules, and data. Real-time integrated e-commerce websites can provide a positive effect on overall order entry quality. If they are standalone websites that are separately maintained, they will inject defects into the process.”
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About The Author
Thomas R. Cutler
The e-commerce software banks on factors like search & filter feature, speed, usability, payment options, quality, variety, ease, convenience and velocity with a spin of affordability. The online markets are growing with great popularity and opportunity, how these applications are indispensably maintained by assuring quality on time. It this software testing which is the reason to bring quality assurance and testing forefront of our e-c commerce strategy.
As a customer, when we order the products online we expect the product to be delivered on time, well packed, must allow us to return the product if we don’t like it are some key requirements of any customer. But what if the application does not function the way you want! Technical uncertainty and digital chaos are the two major aspects which are dangling around this million dollar e-commerce market. The reports state that the popularity of the online platforms depend on, how the application is maintained by assuring quality of time. The idea is to build the application which adds value to the end customer and is synchronised with the upcoming trends. For example, an application for trading stocks cannot get irrelevant or may be it fails.
The retail sector and e-commerce sector are widely open for experimentation and growth opportunities. The quality validation remains as a core to the sector to accept any consumer related or digital challenges.
2. Identify the challenges for a tester to test E-commerce software?
What data is at stake?
Here are the three data types in the overview:
- Product data
- Order/shipping data
- Customs clearance data and documents
Shopping cart
The major role of coming up with a web app is to make sales. This makes the shopping cart the most important tool on your website. You may lure all sorts of customers to make a purchase but if they are unable to add items they need to their shopping carts, they will be of no good to your business.
We would not underestimate the importance of quality assurance to any business. As a business, you may do all it takes to make sure that you win as many customers as possible. But before you offer those coupons to your loyal customers ask yourself, is everything set right on the e-commerce platform?
In case you are looking for manufacturers from China that you need for your e-commerce store there are companies such as NH Global Partners, who help you hire the best talents. All you need is to know what you need and conduct thorough research. Also, if you are looking for a platform to launch an e-store or you already have one but are planning to move to a different platform, an eCommerce RFP will help you collect proposals and find the right agency for your project.
Poor compatibility
Before you come up with an e-commerce solution as a business, there are issues you need to put into consideration. Bear in mind that your customers will access your services from different countries and from different types of browsers. Compatibility in terms of devices and language is something you need to consider and if possible, perform a test. It is your responsibility to ensure that the web app you use runs in different types of browsers and more importantly in all versions. Increase compatibility by using a design that is made for all devices, and for help, look for Los Angeles website designers.
Testing all these things is quite possible. All you need is to ensure you cater to major issues. Below are things you need to consider as far as your web page is concerned.
Search engines which are not effective
Customers need to find their products and with the exact specifications that they desire. This is regardless of whether they are knowledgeable or not. How they do that, remains solely your responsibility as a business. As a business, you need to ensure that you have an effective product that gives customers what they need. At often times, customers will leave any website with poor product filtering. A perfect software quality assurance will take care of this and will make sure that customers do get what they need with the little knowledge they have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What technology is used in eCommerce?
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.
Poor Data Vicious Cycle
The vicious circle begins with bad or even missing data.
Example: A company has insufficient product master data in its ERP/PIM and the order data is of poor quality. This automatically leads to errors in order processing and therefore of course also in the Pick & Pack. It can happen that a product will be sent to the wrong customer. Unpleasant.
Delays in customs clearance are the result
Another problem: customs clearance. If the data of package A is reported to customs, but package B is shipped, the logical consequence is a delay in customs clearance.
Another example: The reported weights do not match the real ones. A small numerical deviation that has fatal consequences: extra work, loss of time, extra costs.
Delivery delays frustrate your customers
Delivery delays and incorrect data (including, for example, a wrong address) quickly cause major problems with delivery. The result? Your customer is annoyed. And rightly so!
Bad customer reviews are bad for the image
This results in a higher rate of returns, which is badvery bad for a well-running business. And because disappointed customers rarely keep their frustration to themselves, bad customer reviews hail down. Your image suffers.
A bad image is reflected in the sales figures in no time at all. And these, in turn, have an impact on company resources, i.e. on headcount.
Purchase processes which may be faulty
With current technology, everything is possible. It is quite possible to make an order online. It is just a mere process whereby a customer just needs to take a few steps to make a purchase. If the process is faulty, then it may result in a huge loss since customers may just opt to make a purchase elsewhere if they face any challenge while attempting to make any purchase. Effective Quality Assurance will ensure an effective process where customers will make purchases without much strain.
Security Breaches
Of all the software issues, a security breach may be deemed the worst. Due to advancements in technology, hackers may access a business’ online store and access sensitive information such as credit card numbers. If that happens, it will be so hard for a customer to trust the company with any confidential information.
Quality assurance may help to pinpoint any such threat to a website and prevent that from happening.
Data quality in logistics
In cross-border shipping, the data quality must be top, otherwise it will be really difficult with your international expansion.
Clean data has an extremely large influence on the delivery time of your goods and on the customer journey of your customers — and thus also on your costs and your profit!
When it comes to optimizing shipping, we have a say. Therefore: It is worthwhile to read on.
Product data in cross-border e-commerce
- Exact article description
- It is important for the smooth processing of customs clearance. The description should be written in the language of the destination country — or in English.
- Unique article number
- Price
- When the merchant sends the goods with the , he will show his prices including taxes and customs duties in the web shop. For customs clearance, however, net prices must be stated. This means without customs duties, without taxes, but including transport costs. Finally, the customs authorities levy taxes and customs duties based on the value transmitted. If the merchant incorrectly states gross prices (including taxes and customs duties), he is paying too much.
- You have to be careful with special promotions with free goods. Values of CHF 0.00 cause problems with customs clearance. Consequence: The goods can remain blocked until the correct value is available.
- Country of origin
- This information is essential for customs clearance and influences the rate of duty. EU goods, for example, can be imported into Switzerland duty-free. Please note: A wrong country of origin in the customs declaration is considered a false declaration and will cause problems in the event of any returns.
- Weight (this is important for shipping to Switzerland)
- Switzerland is the only country that has a weight tariff. This is the reason why all imported articles must be marked with the correct weight. The Swiss customs requires net and gross weight. Note: The gross weight is decisive for the customs rate. You can find out more about the customs regulations of Switzerland here
- HS code (it is important for shipping to Switzerland)
- It is not possible to send goods to Switzerland without ana HS code. Swiss HS codes are based on the internationally valid Harmonized System (HS) and are eight-digit numbers that can be found in the Swiss Tares system. It is crucial that you have the correct HS code in your database.
- VOC information (if necessary)
- Some articles are subject to incentive taxes on volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This mostly concerns cosmetics or cleaning agents. The incentive tax is CHF 3.00/kg. If the retailer does not indicate the exact VOC content of his articles, he will be charged the full amount. This means CHF 3 on the total weight of the article and not on the actual VOC value.
- Alcohol information (if necessary)
Customs clearance data and documents for optimized e-commerce logistics
-
Check that the content of the invoice corresponds exactly to the content of the customs declaration.
For some products, the trader must also be able to present various certificates or authorisation numbers to customs (for example CITES certificates). This guarantees that the goods are delivered smoothly.
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
Solution
Besides the updated design, our specialists have added several new features to
the application:
- Buying shaving products in 1 click
- Scanning of a credit card for payment
- Sending a gift to the user’s male friends using the mobile app
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
Challenge
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.
Solution
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.
Result
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.
Challenge
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.
Solution
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.
Result
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.
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.
eCommerce has a future, and it’s bright. Yet, to get there, you need to
know which path to take. We will help you get started by presenting the latest
eCommerce trends for 2023.
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. -
The last type of BNPL is retroactive service providers.
They offer flexible payment options for the buyer’s credit card after
shopping. One such company is American Express.
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
Cheaper and faster development
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:
-
Voice assistant. Consumers frequently use it to search for
the product they need. AI must comprehend the customer’s search
queries and provide the most relevant results. -
AI-powered chatbots. eCommerce chatbots are about improving
the customer experience and enhancing the brand image. These virtual
assistants can provide order status information, respond to user queries,
and help with purchases.
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.
Order/shipping data in online trade
Good PIM data is one thing. The other is the data quality in the order area. At the checkout, the retailer has to make sure that he obtains the correct customer data.
First of all, it must be clear whether the purchaser is a private individual or a company. If a private person orders but wishes delivery to his place of work, this must be clearly indicated in the address fields. Otherwise, there will be problems with customs clearance, which will result in delivery delays. If it is not clear to customs that a private person is behind the order, they will classify the items as B2B items and handle them differently.
In addition, the address has to meet the specification of the destination country. For example, the field for the postcode must be adapted because not every country has four-digit numbers as in Switzerland.
-
Rely on online tools for address checking. This way, the buyer immediately receives a message that something is wrong if he or she types in the wrong address. This way you avoid that deliveries cannot be delivered. This has a positive effect on the shipping costs.
How does your page appear?
Your page needs to be unique when it comes to all features including titles, images, and prices. Make sure that all of them are displayed correctly.
Your human resources are affected
The exit from this Poor Data Vicious Cycle starts with correct data. And right from the start. Because to adapt or complete them afterwards is not that easy anymore and means an enormous effort.
-
Ensure high data quality in logistics right from the start. It is vital to success!decisive for the match!
Let us now turn to the types of data mentioned at the beginning, which are important when sending data across borders. Let us start with the first, the product data.
Loading Page Time
Test how quickly your pages are loaded as compared to the pages of your competitors. To be the safer side, ensure that you test it in all types of browsers.
Emerging Technology Trends for the eCommerce Security
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
Weak VPN Servers
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.
Now that you’ve learned about the vulnerabilities of current eCommerce
platforms, you should be able to protect your online store. Let’s
discuss the most significant technologies, trends, and security strategies for
2023.
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
Add Multiple Levels of Security to Your eCommerce Platform
- VPN
- Two-factor authentication
- Anti-spam
- Firewalls
- Malware protection programs
- 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.
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.
Data quality in online trade
Cross Border e-commerce is interesting. But it also increases the complexity of logistics. Before you want to conquer an export market, we recommend that you take a close look at which data is critical for success in shipping.
If you consider all points for a shipping optimization, there will be no delays and you will make your customers happy. And that alone counts for success.
