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2020 was a big year for e-commerce, and as an industry that is constantly evolving, it is important for e-commerce players to keep themselves informed of the latest trends. While the competition remains tough, innovating one’s online business in line with the times keeps one ahead of the pack. Here are some online shopping trends to watch out for this year:

1. E-commerce will continue to boom

According to the popular e-commerce platform Shopify, retail e-commerce sales in the Asia Pacific rose by 15.5% in 2020, and as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, it is expected that shopping online will remain a popular option for people to purchase their needs and wants.

Hence, e-commerce businesses need to plan ahead in order to meet the market’s demands. With the e-commerce boom comes the steep competition as well, so businesses should be ready for more players with similar product offerings and target markets.

2. Customer retention will be a top priority

It won’t be enough to just attract new customers for e-commerce businesses to stay relevant. It is important for companies to come up with strategies in order for those customers to be loyal to their business.

From loyalty rewards to promos and incentives, there are a lot of methods businesses can experiment with to encourage patronage of their products. These local customers can even result in recommendations to other people, which means more opportunities to generate sales.

3. People will shop in marketplaces rather than e-commerce stores

While it is important for e-commerce stores to regularly update their website and social media pages with the latest products and promos, e-commerce businesses should explore putting their products on sales at marketplace platforms such as Lazada and Shopee.

Shoppers have realized that it is more convenient to shop for items on one marketplace website rather than shopping on various e-commerce websites. Plus, the affordable shipping fee and an option for free return make shopping in marketplaces so attractive.

4. Shoppable video ads on social media will entice customers

As the social media capital of the world, the Philippines has a high social media penetration rate of 67% as per Statista. Filipinos are expected to remain glued to their various social media accounts this year as well. That is why companies should explore advertising in different ways on popular platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram.

One way to attract the attention of shoppers is through enticing video ads. Videos add another dimension to marketing one’s products. From tutorials to unboxing videos, there are a lot of creative ways to generate content and encourage sales through social media.

5. More ways to pay will be the way

Customers love having different options, even when it comes to ways of paying for their purchases. Plus, a lot of customers get discouraged from buying items when there are limited ways of paying. Not everyone has a credit card, after all. Thus, e-commerce players should explore expanding their methods of payment.

From G-cash to PayPal, cash-on-demand to PayMaya, e-commerce businesses should expand ways of payment for customer’s convenience. Companies should make the purchasing experience as easy as possible to drive patronage.

6. Influencers will become brand partners

A lot of brands have turned to partner with social media influencers in order to tap their network. In fact, according to Influencer Marketing Hub, the industry was expected to reach $9.7 billion worldwide in 2020. Hence, e-commerce players should take advantage of their clout through collaborations.

Not only will e-commerce players be able to generate interesting content through them, but they will also have the opportunity to entice the influencers’ market. Thus, it is important for e-commerce companies to be strategic with those they partner with. If there is no budget to partner with influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers, they should explore partnering with micro-influencers.

7. Personalization will encourage patronage

Customers tend to feel special when businesses cater to their specific needs. That is why companies should take a personalized approach to entice their customers to patronage their products.

Aside from e-mail marketing, businesses should the information on customers they have on hand (with consent, of course) to come up with customized ways to encourage sales. This can be through recommendations based on their previous purchases, and sending special promo codes on their birthday. Customers appreciate it when businesses show that they care about them.

8. Green consumerism will rise in popularity

The green movement is not a fleeting trend. People have come to realize the importance of sustainability, especially with the ongoing climate issue. According to Harvard Business Review, 65% of buyers want to purchase from businesses that aim for sustainability. That is why e-commerce players must come up with ways to show that they protect the environment.

Hence, e-commerce players need to take a step back and determine how they can make their offerings sustainable. This can be through renewable materials or even packaging. Companies can even explore partnering with charitable organizations that champion the environment to win over more customers. Plus, it’s a great way to give back and contribute to the environment.

Aside from keeping themselves up to date with the latest trends, online businesses should partner with a logistics provider that is reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use. They’re the ones who will deliver the products to the customers after all.

We are the first self-service private shipping center in the Philippines that caters to delivering e-packets and documents to international countries at cost-effective rates. Fast and super convenient, a great postal gateway that promises a 24-hour processing turnaround time. The company’s website is super easy to navigate, and you can even calculate costs through our ‘Check Rates’.

We are the ideal partner for online businesses looking to maximize their budget while not compromising the safety and security of their products. We ship to over 190 countries, so e-commerce players can even offer international shipping through us!