eCommerce and the way we sell things and services online, like so many other aspects of the internet, are continuously evolving. While terminology like CPC and PPC, as well as other KPIs, can help you figure out where and how to sell your things online, understanding the fundamentals of eCommerce is essential. You may learn how to sell online items and services to your target audience more efficiently by looking at the history, present trends, and future projections of eCommerce in Nepal.
HISTORY OF ECOMMERCE
Michael Aldrich, an English innovator, was the first to pioneer electronic shopping, which became known as eCommerce. Aldrich’s solution used a domestic telephone connection to connect a modified household TV to a real-time transaction processing computer. Closed information systems may then be opened and shared with third parties, opening the way for contemporary eCommerce.
Significant events have shaped the eCommerce you see today since that time. First, when Jeff Bezos launched Amazon in 1994 as an eCommerce platform for book sales, he developed the site into one of the most popular online selling platforms for a wide range of items. In fact, Amazon’s earnings surged by 200 percent in the last year.
Years later, as a money transfer mechanism, Paypal made its debut on the eCommerce arena. Paypal grew in prominence as a token eCommerce shopping platform after it combined with Elon Musk’s online banking firm.
Google AdWords was then developed for eCommerce firms to aid in the optimization of online adverts for Google Search users. Finally, internet merchants began to employ the technology in a pay-per-click setting.
Etsy, Shopify, and BigCommerce were among the new platforms presented. These websites widened the eCommerce industry and gave small company owners more options to sell their wares.
Now that we’ve covered some of the major events in eCommerce that have affected how we think about online buying today, let’s take a look at some of the most recent changes.
RECENT CHANGES TO ECOMMERCE
COVID-19
COVID-19 drew a large number of people into their homes and shifted regular purchases such as food, clothing, and entertainment to the internet. According to Digital Commerce 360, customers spent $791.70 billion on online shops in 2020, up 32.4 percent from $598.02 billion the previous year. Since then, ecommerce and the way firms sell products/services, as well as consumer buying behaviors, have evolved.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TOOLS
AI is rapidly expanding across many industries to assist eCommerce organizations in increasing productivity and reaching out to clients more efficiently. AI in eCommerce is growing at such a quick pace that a Tractica analysis projects that it will be worth $36.7 billion globally by 2025.
Voice assistants play an important part in eCommerce, allowing consumers to effortlessly search for items and engage with web services using just their voice commands, as shown with Google searches and Amazon Alexa purchasing. Furthermore, the technology may be integrated into smartphones or intelligent speakers that are intended exclusively for voice communication.
Additionally, chatbots are also available to aid shoppers in making purchasing selections. Bots often connect with clients via text messages or phone calls, giving it a simple platform to give support to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
From Netflix to Spotify to coffee delivery and food prep kits, the subscription business model has become the standard. Nearly half of all online consumers have a subscription, with physical products subscriptions accounting for 15% of all subscriptions. Subscriptions include perks such as free or reduced delivery, special event rewards, shop credits, and discounts on certain goods.
Amazon Prime is one of the most popular subscription programs. “I can find practically everything I need,” said 66 percent of customers when asked to name up to five reasons why they purchase on Amazon. In June 2021, Amazon Prime membership surpassed 200 million, making it the largest subscription eCommerce service to date
FUTURE ECOMMERCE CHANGES & TRENDS
As online business trends continue to influence B2B enterprises’ everyday operations, we project that B2B eCommerce sales will reach about $1.5 billion in 2021, up 12.2 percent from 2012. eCommerce will see different shifts and trends in the future than it has in the past.
GREEN CONSUMERISM
With the rapid rise of eCommerce, there is a demand for a more environmentally friendly, long-term solution. Consumers want their goods to be environmentally friendly. According to GWI, 60% of internet users are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly items. It’s heartening to know that eco-friendliness is important to consumers, even those we don’t expect to care about it. When it comes to buying high-priced, green items, millennials and older generations aren’t that far apart. Those who define themselves as cost-conscious or have limited salaries, on the other hand, will still favor eco-friendly items.
AI SHOPPING
Artificial intelligence is having a greater impact on the future of eCommerce. Through tailored shopping experiences, AI in online retail contributes to a better customer experience. eCommerce organizations may deliver personalized suggestions to each consumer in real time and provide a more customised buying experience by leveraging collected and processed data. AI-based customer journeys in online shopping generate a customized experience suited to each client’s interests and demands.
RISE IN M-COMMERCE
Shopping using a mobile device is referred to as M-Commerce. Consumers are purchasing online through their social media networks as they become increasingly reliant on digital gadgets. Several social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, have incorporated “buy buttons” that allow users to make purchases without leaving the platform. Furthermore, the one-click option allows customers to make purchases without having to re-enter their payment information because they only have to input their card information once.
Read More: Super Cool Advantages of Torrenting for your Business Online
