Did you know that more than 7% of all retail transactions happen on mobile devices, and by 2023, that number is expected to reach 8%? For this reason, it is very important to stay up to date on mobile shopping trends that you can implement for your e-commerce business.

What is mobile shopping?

Mobile shopping is the ability to buy and sell goods using a mobile device, like a cell phone or tablet. This can come in many different forms like using the web browser, purchasing in-app, or using a digital wallet at a physical store.

There are five main types of mobile shopping.

1. Mobile payment apps (Venmo, Paypal)
2. Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
3. Mobile shopping apps (like the Target or BestBuy apps)
4. Social media shopping (like the Shop tab on Instagram)
5. QR codes (images phones can scan to direct to a webpage)

M-commerce vs. e-commerce

E-commerce is the act of selling or buying merchandise online. M-commerce is a section of e-commerce that focuses on online purchases that happen specifically on a mobile device. There are specific benefits to shopping on mobile devices that make m-commerce so popular. It is easy, secure, and convenient which is why many consumers opt to participate in e-commerce this way. This makes it very important for business owners to understand and master their m-commerce-specific strategy.

The biggest trends throughout 2022

As 2022 comes to a close, take a look at these m-commerce trends that stole the show throughout the year:

Social media

As we discussed earlier, social media has dominated mobile shopping trends. Social media apps now allow users to click on items featured in posts to see item details and make purchases, all without leaving the social media app. The average social media user spends 2.5 hours per day on these sites and they move through the app very quickly. It is important that businesses are able to capture their attention and remove any barriers to conversion by allowing purchases to take place in the app.

Mobile apps

You may have noticed that browsing on a store’s app is much easier than using their regular website in your phone’s web browser. This is because apps are made for mobile, so they’re often much more optimized. They’re easier to use, clearer, and often, faster. The main reason that is driving users to apps is how fast these apps are compared to traditional browser experiences. 

Mobile apps are becoming easier and easier to create without extensive code, making this something to consider using for your e-commerce business in 2023.

Trends to look for in 2023

Looking ahead to the new year, check out these 6 trends to stay on top of for mobile shopping:

One-click ordering

When the checkout process is too difficult, many users will abandon their sales. This is why many brands are moving towards one-click ordering, especially with mobile e-commerce. One-click ordering allows customers to complete their purchase through another party like PayPal or Apply Pay. The benefit is that all of the information (like card number and billing address) is pre-filled, requiring less work and speeding up the process. This removes friction at checkout and helps to increase the number of completed sales.

Ultra accessibility

While there are some regulations about accessibility online, there aren’t many. For this reason, many e-commerce stores go above and beyond the requirements. While increasing accessibility is the right thing to do, it will also help boost conversion. If users are able to better navigate the page, they will be more likely to make a purchase. Smartphones have lots of accessibility capabilities and moving into the new year you will see more sites taking advantage of these options.

Zero-party data

Zero-party data is data submitted willingly by users. With concerns regarding how sites gather shoppers’ information, many e-commerce sites are moving toward this data concept. To do so, they will offer personalized product recommendations or discounts in exchange for information from users. As more and more legislation is passed and enforced surrounding consumer data, you will see more brands moving in this direction.

Augmented reality

Augmented reality will likely gain even more popularity in 2023. This technology allows customers to virtually try on, adjust, or place products that they are considering buying online. This helps add convenience for shoppers so they don’t have to wonder what items will look like on their bodies or in their homes. While augmented reality can be a heavy technical lift for businesses, overall it really impresses and wins over customers.

Chatbots

Customers often have questions when visiting a website. Having customer service representatives available at all times is pricey for businesses, but it is more detrimental to leave customer questions unanswered. So, many sites are opting for chat robots with pre-selected common questions and answers. This cuts down on costs while still making the site more user-friendly.

Voice assistants

Everyone has heard of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Over time, they have evolved in their features. Today, voice assistants are able to order products from e-commerce sites and have them show up at your door. E-commerce sites optimized further to work with these features will break down barriers to sales. Expect to see more of this in 2023!

In 2023, consider implementing some of these mobile shopping trends into your business. Hopefully, you will find that they elevate the customer experience and help to drive sales.

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