As more businesses race into the online sector, staying ahead of digital marketing and e-commerce trends is a must. Implementing innovative strategies such as green solutions and AI-assisted selling can help you stand out from the crowd and connect with your audience in a more meaningful way.
In this post, we’ll look at some of the latest trends in the e-commerce world. We’ll also offer some tips to help you implement them. Let’s get started!
1. Sustainability
Investing in a better tomorrow is not only an ethical choice; it can also be an effective way to give back and improve your company image. Green ideas like recycling, renewable energy, and veganism are just a few examples of sustainability trends that are becoming mainstream.
If your company is involved in any conservation efforts or environmental programs, you could share that with your audience. For example, IKEA isn’t shy about its sustainable solutions and renewable energy initiatives:
For a large company like IKEA, using 100% renewable electricity across its value chain is no easy task. However, it shows that the company cares about the environment and wants to make a positive impact. Going green could also be a cheaper and more efficient way to power a business.
You may also encourage your audience to contribute to a cause that’s close to your heart. For instance, you might pledge to plant a tree when they purchase a particular product. You might also contribute a percentage of your profits to a green initiative.
2. Cryptocurrency
You may already have heard of crypto. This is a digital currency that many people believe to be the future of finance. In fact, big companies like Microsoft and PayPal are already using digital currencies like Bitcoin.
Replacing traditional payment methods with cryptocurrency may sound scary. However, while there is certainly some level of risk and uncertainty, many customers appreciate it when sites offer different payment options.
Getting started with cryptocurrency may be easier than you think. You could use a tool like BTCPay:
This is a free, open-source payment processor that enables you to collect coins securely and without fees. If you have a WooCommerce store, you can use a WordPress plugin like Blockonomics to start accepting Bitcoin payments on your site.
What’s more, blockchain technology doesn’t stop with crypto. Familiarizing yourself with this new branch of technology now may open other doors for your company in the future.
3. AI-Assisted Selling
Recent breakthroughs in machine learning have made Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools widely available in the e-commerce world. We aren’t just talking about robot vacuums and self-driving cars, but powerful software that can automate tasks previously relegated to human brainpower.
Machine learning is a process through which a computer learns to make complex decisions. Most AI tools used in e-commerce can recognize patterns in sales data and customer behavior to predict the best course of action.
AI can provide fresh perspectives and automate business processes. It can also be used to predict user behavior and create customized offers based on that data.
For instance, let’s say a website uses an AI tool that’s designed to identify and predict sales patterns. After collecting data from users who purchased a printer, the program notices that 80% of those customers also ordered the same brand of plain white paper. With this information, it can display that paper as a recommended add-on on all printer pages.
When it comes to large online stores like Amazon, an AI could help track user behavior and buying patterns across different departments. In fact, you’ve probably come across these automated cross-sell recommendations when making online purchases:
This is just one example of how AI could be used in e-commerce and digital marketing. You could also use it in other areas of your business, such as email marketing campaigns and programmatic advertising.
Conclusion
Many of the digital marketing and e-commerce trends in 2022 are centered around new technology. This includes AI-assisted selling and cryptocurrency payments. Additionally, many companies are implementing sustainable measures and promoting a greener lifestyle.
Do you have any questions about the marketing and e-commerce trends covered in this post? Let us know in the comments section below!
Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash