The e-commerce industry is expected to reach $735 billion by 2023 due to the fact that 42% of US consumers shop online. If you have a store online, then you need to keep track of e-commerce logistics trends.
By staying on top of trends, you can ensure your business stays competitive. That way, your orders continue to grow, and your business builds.
Do you know these eight trends that you should implement?
1. It’s Time to Get Mobile
Mobile internet browsing surpassed desktop usage back in 2016. So today, businesses that sell online need to make mobile optimization a priority. Not to mention that Google rewards those sites that are mobile-friendly.
So not only will more people find your online store, they’re more likely to stay and shop once they’re there.
While some online shops want to hold onto what they know, this is becoming a bad idea more and more. Google consistently updates its algorithms, and mobile compatibility becomes more important each time.
2. Automation
Automation shouldn’t be a foreign concept as it’s one of the ideal ways to cut overhead and costs. When it comes to e-commerce logistics, you can streamline the entire process with automation.
First, you can offer automatic renewals for your customers. If you provide a product that requires repeat orders, then give your customers the option to sign up for automatic sending. This will cut the need for your customers to come to your website and place an order.
Because of this, you will see a rise in your monthly orders due to the repeat business. Next, you will want to automate the pull, pack, and ship process.
If you currently do all of this yourself, it’s time to talk to a logistics provider. Many offer services that can reduce the demand on your employees. Look for a full-service logistics company that can provide warehousing, pre-scheduled shipments, and on-demand shipping services.
3. Chatbots
Speaking of automation, chatbots are growing in popularity and show no sign of slowing down. Have you visited a website and there was a pop-up chat box asking if you need assistance? That’s a chatbot.
These are pre-programmed computer programs that communicate with current and potential customers for you. You can use your chatbot to provide customer service and streamline the sales funnel.
Chatbots allow you to provide excellent service without having to physically be at your computer communicating.
4. Augmented or Virtual Reality
While we’re all used to augmented reality in our app games, stores have begun to use it to their advantage. Imagine being able to superimpose a clothing store’s shirt onto your body. This would let you virtually try on their clothes.
Amazon is at the forefront of this trend with its “View in Your Room” feature. This lets you shop for furniture on your phone while being able to see what it will look like in your home.
Virtual reality is slightly different. It’s a computer-generated simulation that will fully immerse the user. This would let shoppers feel as though they’re in the store getting the full experience without ever leaving their couch.
5. Faster Delivery
With a perfected logistics process, you can offer more shipping options to your customers. This means you can keep up with trends by providing faster and cheaper shipping. Many customers expect one to two-day shipping.
To offer faster shipping, consider warehousing your products closer to where the majority of your orders come from. This cuts down the transit time.
Streamlining your shipping means you can lower your shipping costs. You can then pass this savings along to your customers.
Keep an eye on this trend. Some of the biggest e-commerce companies are currently testing drones and same-day shipping. This will reduce shipping times down from days to a few hours.
6. Easier Check Out Processes
An average of 67.91% of customers abandons their shopping cart. Don’t increase this rate by making the checkout process complicated or tedious.
Make it easier for your customers by allowing them to link their other accounts for payment. You should also have a quick one-page checkout process. You should also make it possible for your form fields to autofill.
7. Offer Multiple Payment Methods
Do you remember when cash or charge were the only two payment options? Those days are over. Now companies offer several different options, including digital wallets and cryptocurrency.
Allows shoppers to connect their account to PayPal, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, or Apple Pay will streamline the entire checkout process.
8. Analytics and Data
When you use data and analytics, you can better predict your customer demand. This will help you have an accurate amount of inventory at any given time.
Analyzing your data allows you to spot trends and potential gaps in your sales. You can then increase your sales by targeting potential opportunities. Now you can take a proactive approach to your company’s growth.
Look for tracking software that can integrate into your current systems. It should have the ability to track inventory, sales, and shipping volumes.
Implement These Logistics Trends
If you have an online store, then you need to stay competitive by keeping track of these logistics trends. Look for ways to automate your logistics processes. This will eliminate the need for you to hire more people and help you control overhead costs.
One of the most important things you can do is offer cheaper and faster shipping. Consumers want their orders as fast as possible. As a part of this, make the checkout process quick and easy.
Get a quote today and let us help you stay ahead of the e-commerce trends with our suite of logistics services.
