eCommerce marketing agency, Inflow, has released their annual best-in-class research that identifies the emerging trends used by eCommerce leaders to convert visitors into customers in 2018.
DENVER, February 8, 2018 (Newswire.com) - DENVER, February 8, 2018 (Newswire) -While eCommerce businesses are easy to start, it's far from easy to generate traffic, and then turn that traffic into paying customers. Consumers have an ever-increasing number of options when they want to shop online, and many eCommerce businesses never make a mark. But new research from the eCommerce marketing agency, Inflow, can help eCommerce businesses adapt and succeed in the changing marketplace.
Inflow, an Inc. 5000 company and a member of the Forbes Agency Council, recently released results from their annual Best in Class research to keep eCommerce business owners in-the-know about what trends are shaping up to define eCommerce in 2018.
This year, we're seeing many trends emerging related to mobile eCommerce, often shortened to mCommerce. Another key development is retailers with brick-and-mortar locations providing more options for customers to buy online and pick up their orders at a store.
Keith Hagan, Director of Conversion Services, Inflow
Keith Hagan, Director of Conversion Services at Inflow, says "Staying on top of the latest trends in eCommerce is crucial for lasting success. This year, we're seeing many trends emerging related to mobile eCommerce, often shortened to mCommerce. Another key development is retailers with brick-and-mortar locations providing more options for customers to buy online and pick up their orders at a store."
After Inflow finished conducting its research, there were several trends that stood out. Among the other trends that were examined, here are three of the most notable insights.
The homepage hero image slider is nearing extinction on mobile sites
The homepage hero image slider has long been a point of contention for both web developers and web users. Some don't mind it, but others find it annoying, especially on mobile sites, where it can be a usability nightmare.
There was a steep drop in the number of sites using rotating hero images on their mobile homepages this year. In 2017, seven out of 20 sites on the Best-in-Class list had this feature, but now that number is down to just two.
Businesses are making it easier for customers to order for in-store pickup
Customers appreciate the convenience of ordering something online and then picking it up at their local store. The number of businesses offering this on their desktop and mobile sites went up considerably from 2017 to 2018.
In 2017, only two Best in Class businesses offered online orders with in-store pickup on their desktop sites, and none did on their mobile sites. Five now offer it on their desktop sites and three on their mobile sites, and those numbers will likely continue to grow. Another development was more businesses showing their local inventory on their mobile sites, with that number growing from three to six.
Free returns are a key selling point
The second-most common reason that customers don't finish their orders online is because they're worried about not liking the product. By offering free returns with the cost of return shipping covered, businesses can convince these customers to order.
Among the Best in Class businesses, 10 out of 20 provide free returns and cover the return shipping costs. For businesses that do this, it's also important to highlight that return policy.
To learn more about this Best in Class research or to see all the trends, visit Inflow's eCommerce Best-in-Class Research Study 2018.
Customer preferences change often for online shopping, and the most successful eCommerce businesses give customers what they want. Understanding what's trending in eCommerce is key for both established businesses and those just starting out.
About Inflow: Inflow is an eCommerce success agency based in Denver, Colorado. The award-winning eCommerce marketing agency was founded in 2003 and is a Moz recommended marketing agency and Premier Google partner. The company has been named by the Denver Business Journal, as one of Denver’s fastest-growing private companies for the last five consecutive years, and has also been on the Inc 5000 list.
Source: Inflow
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