The future of commerce looks a little different than what many of us imagined, but this ongoing pandemic has largely shifted the tides. Where there once was a hesitance about eCommerce, now there is a great reliance. This of course bodes well for the eCommerce business, which saw a surge of over 30% in sales in the year 2020, according to Shama Hyder of Forbes. 

This means that Direct-to-Consumer businesses have had to quickly adapt to the accelerated changes brought on by this unexpected catastrophe. With more individuals turning to their phones and laptops to shop for goods, the future of eCommerce has seen a cardinal deviation toward a more custom and convenient shopping experience. 

Influencer Marketing

It’s no secret that in the past decade many internet dwellers have opted to exclusively get their shopping recommendations from their favorite influencers. This is why influencer marketing is being touted as a major trend for the upcoming year and beyond. 

Influencer marketing allows for brands to achieve a more targeted reach through User-Generated Content that not only allows an eCommerce business to show their ideal customers a real person using their product when many customers are unable to see it or experience it in person, but it is also a stellar opportunity to keep up with current trends and what the public has to say about them. 

M-Commerce

Online shopping isn’t just for laptops anymore. Around 73% of all eCommerce sales will take place on a mobile platform, Statista estimates. This means that commerce business owners need to rush to make certain their mobile interfaces are up to par. 

“I feel like we’ve moved five years ahead in just one,” says Silvija Martincevic, Chief Commercial Officer for Affirm. “I recommend retailers take a close look at their mobile product roadmap to ensure that it is just as robust as their online shopping experience-”.

A preference for shopping right in the palm of your hand was no surprise to anyone, but the world’s sudden twist of fate has us all growing up faster than we ever expected. 

Text-Message Synergy

If you find yourself opting in or out of text messages before checkout, this is why. To continue to personalize user experiences on mobile platforms, DTC businesses are making sure to hit you up on your cellphone. 

Text-message allows companies to send customers tailored messages that let them know companies have their best interest at heart. You can send things like cart reminders, limited-time offers, delivery updates, and so on. Experts project that this interactive function will eventually lead to real-time messaging between an eCommerce business and a customer in the year 2021. 

Efficient Fulfillment

The beginning of the pandemic proved to the world that they desire to have home essentials on hand in case of emergency are a top priority. Not only have companies begun to stock these essentials in their arsenal, but they’ve now begun to offer express delivery to ensure their customers get what they need when they need it. 

Multiple eCommerce businesses are adopting the Amazon Prime model of overnight or 2-day shipping. Offering fast fulfillment of orders pretty much guarantees your customers will continue to turn to you as their reliable, go-to seller.  

Sales conversions are sure to skyrocket if these uber-fast shipping options are emphasized on all platforms and advertisements across the board. 

AI-Driven Personalization 

We’ve all encountered the very obvious chatbot that only seems to be able to answer the most basic of inquiries, but the future of eCommerce in 2021 holds the key to advanced artificial intelligence capable of mimicking emotional responses and comforting even the most frustrated of customers.

AI also holds much promise in the personalization of the shopping experience. This means that bots will be able to track the behavior patterns of your customers as they shop, eventually offering more tailored product recommendations when it comes time for them to make their next purchase.

And an additional benefit for eCommerce business owners is that leaving the product recommendation to AI has an interesting domino effect on predicting inventory needs in the backend, thus killing two birds with one stone.

These are just a handful of ways that you can scale your commerce business. Like the aforementioned influencer marketing trend, marketing your business in the early stages or any stage can feel daunting when you’re so preoccupied with front-end tasks in the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market. But Jenfi can help alleviate the worry of finding the capital you need to succeed! Contact us today to see how we can help you stay on-trend while doing what you do best!