There’s no denying the cultural shift to mobile. We’ve now reached the point where over half of internet traffic comes from mobile devices. With that said, it’s no surprise that 62% of smartphone owners shop with their mobile devices according to Signal-boosters.co.uk.
With all of that said, here’s a look at the mobile commerce trends for 2019.
- Better Customer Experiences Through Virtual Assistants
Buying things online and through physical stores are two vastly different experiences, but current trends in mobile commerce suggest that these differences will be all but forgotten in the near future.
When people shop at a real store they are provided help by a human assistant who finds the right product for them. This recommendation is based on personal preferences and taste. Soon, virtual assistants in mobile commerce will have reached the point they could also guide users and suggest products based on questions.
Virtual assistants will help to make mobile commerce feel more realistic and improve the quality of purchasing decisions.
- Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Mobile Commerce
Augmented reality is a major advancement for mobile commerce, and the trend is set to become more important in the future. Augmented reality helps users to choose products by creating environments wherein they can have more realistic shopping experiences.
One example of this is with clothing and accessories. Many online marketplaces for glasses now allow people to virtually try on their glasses before they buy them through augmented reality. One downside of purchasing online is not being able to try before you buy. Augmented and virtual reality technology helps to bridge this gap. Another great use is with furniture, as Ikea are getting involved in using augmented reality to show customers how furniture will look in their home before they buy it.
- Mobile App Dominance
Mobile commerce is becoming a bigger trend, with people preferring to make purchases through mobile devices. Around 60% of all Google searches come from mobile devices. Search engines have started to advise businesses to make their websites more mobile friendly, but dedicated apps are always the best choice.
The mobile application industry is set to break $188 billion in revenue by 2020 and every ecommerce player is advocating for mobile apps. This is a sign of just how impressive the market is and what it means for the future of mobile commerce.
- Advanced Product Search
If you were to search Amazon for a particular brand, you would get a lot of suggestions related to that brand, such as Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy. The search suggestions are based on popularity and they can save people time and effort. Advanced product search features like this are going to be big in mobile commerce.
This includes things like more personalized suggestions based on the interest of users. That will definitely help to reduce buying cycle length and encourage customers to spend more.
- Machine Learning and AI
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are having a major impact on business already. Machine learning is when an application learns how to deliver better experiences for users based on previous information. It makes sense for mobile commerce because everyone has their own preferences when it comes to shopping.
Much like a real store where a shopkeeper knows what their regulars like, machine learning and artificial intelligence could see this become something possible in digital stores. They are sure to be two of the biggest trends in mobile commerce.
Conclusion
Mobile commerce is going to expand across the next few years. This advancement will include several trends, such as smarter technology, better user experiences, and more.
The Future Of Mobile Commerce
