eCommerce – The Trends To Watch Out For in 2022

In the past two years, we have seen eCommerce change and grow to meet the demands of the new Covid-19 world. And, the numbers are clear. Ecommerce is now mainstream for people of all ages. From books to clothing to groceries, we can get almost anything delivered to our doors. Often the same day we click the “order” button on a desktop computer or smartphone.
The eCommerce landscape has been a good space for startups, too. The sector has shown growth for direct-to-consumer brands as well as for providers of tools that help retailers sell more stuff online.
Online commerce is clearly here to stay – making it essential for businesses to understand emerging and current eCommerce trends. That is why, in this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the top eCommerce trends of 2022. And, what awaits us in terms of online shopping habits this year.
eCommerce Trends in 2022: Online Sales are Continuing to Increase

With people required to stay home for most of 2020 and into 2021, social media has been one of our favorite ways of staying connected with others. The social media market is vast, its global audience still expanding, with daily participants numbering in the billions. Just a few months ago, TikTok alone revealed that it has 1 billion monthly active users worldwide!
It’s no surprise that the first trend we look at is that online sales are continuing to increase at a rapid rate.
What you should do is:
#1: Use social media for social commerce
Marketing on social media is now both more accessible and more significant than ever before. The market continues to grow. And, platforms continue to develop new strategies for businesses to expand their share of the digital marketplace. As a startup, you can hit two birds with one stone when you invest in marketing on social media.
#2: Create a website and update it regularly
Not only should you create a website, but it also needs to be updated for it to remain secure. Handling payments and customer data is a big responsibility. You need to ensure that you’re not only compliant, but that you are taking all the necessary precautions. It’s easy to get bogged down by margins, logistics, and customer service calls, and forget to update the latest software patch on your website. But neglecting your digital presence is an expensive mistake. As an eCommerce business, other than maybe digital marketing, your web environment is the number one thing you need to keep checking upon.
Green Consumerism Will Become More Important Than Ever (As It Should)

For a brief moment during initial lockdown measures, nature healed. And, our eyes opened to areas of ‘greening’ that were previously never thought of before.
Both consumers and business ventures are now more understanding of the importance of a sustainable environment. As consumers get more conscious, green consumerism is definitely a trend that eCommerce brands need to take into consideration.
Green consumerism will have a big influence on the eCommerce landscape of the future, meaning sustainable businesses will remain one step ahead of the competition. This is a trend that you would surely want to consider adopting in 2022.
Green delivery & sustainable packaging
Impress your customers with your sustainability credentials and prioritize seeking out companies with green approaches to packaging, and use sustainable packaging for your own order fulfillment materials. Sizes of packaging should be kept to an absolute minimum, and reused where possible. No more clogging up those recycling bins!
Finally, high shipping costs are often dealbreakers and consumers are looking for free shipping most of the time. So, this is important to keep in mind. While customers may prefer green delivery, they should not see additional costs on their invoices. This must be shouldered by you, the retailer, or the shipping provider(s) you work with.
Tip: Don’t forget to mention your sustainability credentials on your customer communications such as your website, and invoices. Consumers are increasingly choosing to buy from brands that are doing their bit to protect the planet. And to goes especially for Gen Z and Millennials. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to boost customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Customized packaging & shopping experience
As a result of all the lockdowns and the joy of receiving something beautiful in the mail, personalized packaging has become an e-commerce trend to watch in 2022. (And beyond.)
This doesn’t mean abandoning the sustainable approach we mentioned earlier. Your personalization could promote your environmental credentials as well as look great.
Packaging your goods in high-quality, low-impact materials shows you care. About delivering a great customer experience – AND about protecting our precious natural environment.
Plus, it makes your customer feel special and helps you stand out from your competitors.
eCommerce Trends in 2022: Customer Feedback Is King

It’s the era of hyper-personalization. Apart from the personalized emails and notifications, you need to tailor the purchasing experience. That needs to be done based on each unique customer’s personal preferences across different channels and touchpoints.
Chatbots are one of the rising trends of the eCommerce world to increase customer engagement. Although customer representatives provide customized service, chatbots that provide instant answers to frequently asked questions are better. They provide customers with a more lively shopping experience. Customers who prefer your brand will want to stay in contact with you as much as possible during the online shopping process. Give them what they want. Maybe a customer who puts their finger on a point can play a big role in your future strategies.
Furthermore, exit intent pop-ups, discounts, abandoned cart notifications, and other methods can be utilized for a memorable customer experience.
The Rise of Mobile Shopping

The rise of mobile commerce has been particularly significant and the increased use of mobile devices has contributed to this advancement. Nowadays, customers are utilizing their mobile devices to explore and do some research on the products and services before making a purchase decision.
In addition to Gen Z, the X and Y generations’ increasing confidence in online payment methods makes the mobile shopping experience widespread. Instead of going to the store, the opportunity to shop regardless of time and place is a much more preferable method in the age of convenience. Whether you’re buying a vacuum cleaner or a new jacket, the internet is at our fingertips!
At the same time, technologies such as AR become much more accessible through mobile devices, making it easier for customers to make more accurate decisions during the shopping process.
Harness the Power of Innovative Payment Methods

A new payment method is being added almost every day. Incorporating innovative payment methods in your business will be a move that boosts your eCommerce activities. The cash on delivery option, which is used for security reasons, is still one of the most preferred payment methods. Keeping up with the innovations of the digital world, including mobile payment methods such as Google Wallet and Paypal as well as the credit card option is best for your business targeting a wider customer base.
Besides all these relatively traditional methods, a completely different economic order awaits us in the future. The rise of cryptocurrencies and the gradual transition of countries to their own cryptocurrencies can create a new concept of “money”. These new currencies and payment methods may be valid not only in the physical world but also in any area where we can talk about the metaverse in the future.
Benefits of Blockchain in eCommerce Trends for 2022
Blockchain has been a buzzword for a while now, but there’s still plenty of confusion on what it is exactly. Although it’s closely associated with Bitcoin, blockchain is not a type of cryptocurrency. It’s not a programming language. It’s a new technology for the transparent, secure storage and transfer of information that works without a central supervisory authority.
Because blockchain makes transactions safer and faster, the potential impact on eCommerce is tremendous.
The food industry was one of the first sectors to use blockchain: in their case, to combat food scandals. It is expected that other sectors (such as fashion) will also start using it. That’s smart because consumers are increasingly concerned about transparency with regard to where products come from.
So think about it: how can you apply blockchain in your online shop?
A Final Word About eCommerce Trends For 2022

As you can see, there are a number of exciting trends for eCommerce merchants and startups. And, you need to stay on top of them all in the coming year. You have to keep your eye on how the sector is changing. And, you should embrace the right tech and the most appropriate industry trends. They will help you grow your business sustainably.
I hope that this article has inspired you to prepare well for the eCommerce trends of 2022. Doing all you can to ensure your success in 2022 is critical with all the competition out there, thanks to the big players entering the marketplace.
Make sure you boost your strategies based on the above insights, keep listening to your customers, and keep checking our blog and social media for the latest eCommerce insights!