Global eCommerce is growing at a rapid pace, with the market capitalization expected to be $4.5 trillion in 2021. eCommerce accounts for 10% of the retail sales in the United States alone. An increasing number of shoppers are looking to buy things online using their smartphones, and most people are also getting inspired to shop online through the social networks. The industry is evolving in all dimensions, is expected to continue with the latest trends in 2018.

Animation

eCommerce can learn a lot from game design, with motion being the signal of urgency, personality and delight. Just like motion in games attracts players, the same would apply to this industry. Use of animation in emails expresses the brand’s values, and animated iconography is used to notify whether an item is on the verge of being sold out. Animation will make the experience feel more lively.

Advanced Photography

Irrespective of the generation, photography always remains a challenge with an ever-changing scope of improvements. Adding a 360-degree image of a model is one way to add high quality content to your website. One can also add animated GIFs, which can help in revealing product features. Adding high quality videos is also a good practice.

Social Networks

In 2018, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest will then let the merchants market their items to their potential customers, even without them realizing it. Retailers can create a perfect purchasing scenario, by displaying their products on certain apps that are used by common people. People browsing through their social media pages can click on certain ads, which allow them to purchase the item then and there.

Augmented And Virtual Reality

AR and VR devices are getting cheaper by the day, and retailers can experiment with this strategy. We might witness this technology becoming not only a part of in-store experience, but also a packaging experience with QR codes. You can virtually try a product before purchasing it. Imagine yourself testing a particular furniture, as to how it would look in your home or workplace. Reports have suggested that more than 70 percent buyers would be loyal to a brand which incorporates AR as a part of their online experience.

Automation

Automation will certainly dominate the e-commerce industry in 2018. There’s no point in wasting time on manual labor, when you can use an automation tool to get the job done for you. With more merchants turning to social media, it only makes sense to carry out automation as much as possible.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is another big trend that will continue to take the charge, as it can be used to make better decisions and convert pitch into sales. In the near future, the shopping carts will make use of machine learning algorithms to get higher conversions. If you are regularly purchasing a certain item from a particular location, the system will know it, and will ask you for re-ordering in case you need it. Something like this has already been made possible with the concept of Amazon predictive shipping.