For any business, it is crucial to know how linked the consumers are with their respective devices. From swipes, clicks, searches, and other engagements, there is much that can be learned about their preferences and choices.
Consumers engage online in different ways, and it’s becoming more and more challenging to adapt to these changes since now it is mandatory for staying ahead in competition.
The change in customers’ behaviour must be factored into the existing business models. But what are these trends and how can organizations respond and adapt to them?
This article will explain how consumers have changed their behaviours on the Internet including buying behaviour and effects of social media. Read on to know how you can use these changes to your benefit.
The convenience that online shopping stores offer today, has drastically changed the shopping experience. From the flexibility of shopping hours to the varieties of products available for purchase, several factors are attracting consumers to the online mode of purchase.
As online shopping grows, trends are becoming more apparent:
Online shopping is becoming more interactive with the addition of features like virtual try-on and augmented reality (AR). Fashion and other beauty related products can be used by customers to view how they would fit them or their homes, hence improving their shopping experiences.
The idea of having products delivered to home on monthly basis without having to order for them has really resonated with customers. Thus, subscription-based shopping has increased for several industries, including cosmetics, pet food, entertainment etc.
The element of surprise and convenience that they offer makes them further popular among customers.
Customers expect quick delivery of orders. Thus, delivery time has become vital for customer satisfaction and companies have established long-term goals of shortening the delivery times.
Our phones are an extension of ourselves. It is apparent that we cannot do without them these days, we use them to check the weather, to make major purchases and so on.
To adapt to this change, companies have been developing interactive websites and easy to use mobile applications. The increasing use of these apps and web pages is impacting consumer expectations in several ways, as discussed below.
Mobile devices have raised consumer expectations. People now want things to happen instantly. Whether it's getting answers from customer service or accessing products immediately, businesses need to be quick to meet these demands.
Consumers expect quick responses and solutions when using their phones. If they have a question or issue, they want help right away. Businesses that provide real-time customer service through mobile apps or chatbots keep their customers happy.
Whether it’s viewing a product or completing a purchase, consumers expect everything to be fast. Slow websites or apps can cause frustration among consumers, leading to lost sales. Businesses with effective mobile platforms will stand out.
People want their mobile experience to be smooth and hassle-free. It means easy navigation, fast loading times, and a simple checkout process can be some of the favourite features.
Businesses that prioritise these aspects will be able to meet consumer expectations easily and gain their loyalty, staying ahead in current consumer behaviour trends.
Social media isn’t just for keeping up with friends anymore. It’s now a powerful tool that shapes how people shop and what they buy.
Brands that learn how to use social media can influence their audience’s choices. Let’s explore the current trends in consumer behaviour related to social media:
People buy items without even leaving their social media apps. They see something they like, click on it, and buy it right there. This convenience is a big reason why trends in consumer behaviour are leaning heavily towards social media shopping.
Audiences do not only want to read only perfect, glossy content from influencers and brands anymore. They want to watch authentic brand content- raw stories, backstage moments, and more. This points to a major shift- Consumers value honesty.
The brands, which use social media to present their authentic side, are likely to reach out to their communities. By being transparent about their operation, their principles, and their failures, brands are in a better position to gain the trust of the consumers and ensure that their growth is secure.
Personalisation has benefits of helping the brand to establish a closer relationship with the customer. When people realise that a business is aware of what they prefer, they develop that ‘touch of care’ which makes them come again.
Such small steps go a long way making the customers happy and loyal.
Here are the personalisation techniques businesses are using to improve the shopping experience:
With the help of the consumer data, it is possible to display advertisement for the exact product or service that a buyer might be interested in. This will increase their chances of making an immediate purchase- a direct harnessing of the modern consumer behaviour trends.
From personalised product recommendations to tailored email campaigns, businesses are making shopping experiences more customised. These personalised shopping strategies help make shopping more engaging and relatable for each individual.
With the cropping of these new consumer trends, businesses have achieved new goals to work for. For the changes that your business must make, here are some practical strategies you can adopt:
By knowing what your customers want, you can easily improve on how you serve them. AI can assist you in this process by analysing data points such as customer purchase history or their most recent searches.
Imagine a customer who regularly buys skincare products. AI can suggest similar items or new products that match their preferences. It makes shopping more personal and keeps customers coming back.
No matter whether customers are making the purchase from a supermarket or a mobile application, they anticipate a flawless course of action. Everything should be fast, intuitive, and convenient.
Therefore, the smoother the experience, the higher the chances of customers coming back for a repeat purchase.
Make sure your website and app are fast and simple to use. Sites must not take a long time to load and the checkout process should be smooth. If shopping is made less stressful, the customers will be happy and will not jump to other brands.
This is the best place to meet customers as this is where they spend most of their time.
Engaging followers through posting content consistently will go a long way in nurturing the relationships. It is not just an advertisement to sell things, it is about being sincere and answering people’s needs.
Post comments, engage with customer experiences and testimonials, and set up webinars to answer inquiries. Interacting with customers helps businesses establish a relation of trust, which makes the customers stay!
Customers always appreciate it when they are directly addressed. By collecting data, companies are in a position of being able to craft marketing campaigns that actually seem individualised.
From carefully tailored email campaign or an advertisement, these fine details can go a long way.
Send emails that address customers by name and recommend products based on their past purchases. Further, make sure your ads reflect customers' interests.
These personalised efforts show customers that you understand their needs, increasing the chances of them making a purchase.
Identifying the new digital consumption trends and strategizing one’s market presence accordingly is of paramount importance to modern businesses.
Being informed about these changes can help businesses understand what their customers want. The trick is to adapt to these changes with regular updates, to stay ahead of the rivals.
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