Every year, the world becomes a little more complicated. We try to stay on top of information that influences our daily lives. However, we need particulars to help us make sense of the world around us. For example, we navigate the confusing multitude of options throughout the day, from ordering take-out food to checking the traffic during the rush hour. That is where online search comes in, it is a dynamic process, and user expectations are changing. In the past year, search trends in e-commerce have been a consequence of pandemics.
Even though it is winding down, consumers still choose to shop online. Digital innovations and technology influence their preferences. These are just tools that help them seek and find information daily. Consumers want a cohesive experience where hardware and software work in tandem to offer relevant answers in real-time.
People search online for various reasons. It may be the latest news, food delivery, or a specific problem. In recent months search engines noted a shift in areas where consumer needs grow:
- Real-time search for guidance and information
- Seasonal search for gifts and daily consumption
- Connected shoppers
Real-Time Search Trends in E-Commerce
Marketers are well acquainted with the way people search and what their journey looks like while seeking information. Nearly 90% of customers spend time online researching products and services. Additionally, they will venture to websites, YouTube, Social Media and Google Maps to find products.
Watching a video of someone using the product or talking about it provides additional information and reassurance. These searches are often specific and detailed. But, unfortunately, the majority of brands leave out the information on the product. Nowadays, as trends in e-commerce show, it is not sufficient to place a picture of the product alongside the price.
In the last couple of years, the search engines noted a change. Instead of a short phrase, the European shoppers type questions like “where to find” or “how can I check.” The reason behind the shift is that more people are using assistants to search for information. That said, behaviour changes when simply typing terms into the search bar and literally speaking to their virtual assistants. Hence people begin to form questions as if talking to a person rather than software.
It is a known fact that people access the Internet through their smartphones. Search engines noted an increase in the percentage of people using the web through mobile devices several times a day. Over the last five years, the rate of mobile web consumers almost doubled to 60%, according to Google Search.
Customers do not use just mobile devices to connect to the Internet. According to the global web index, each user has 3.64 connected devices. As a result, it is more crucial than ever to optimize e-commerce site search across all platforms. Search experiences that are seamless, integrated, and relevant are essential for retaining and engaging with customers and increasing sales and conversions.
E-commerce mobile app development largely depends on business needs. Therefore, there are many questions to answer before deciding to invest in app development.
- What type of business does the company run? Business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), and consumer-to-consumer (C2C).
- Which language do developers use to build it? Is it written in Java or Swift?
- What are some of the basic features of the app?
- Is it scalable?
- What does the shopping experience look like?
Developing basic features for the app can cost between 5,000 and 30,000 euros, depending on complexity and features. However, done correctly and custom app development can have a multitude of benefits for the business. It is imperative nowadays when everything revolves around user experience and behaviour. Anticipating and acknowledging the users’ needs can propel the company with a single e-commerce app.
Seasonal Search Trends
According to the European Shopper Survey, 2020 was a fruitful year for seasonal shopping. The old world has shown an increase in shopping online for holidays, and e-commerce sites had the most significant digital sales amounting to 836 billion euros. The trend of holiday shopping on e-commerce sites will continue to grow in the future. So far, e-commerce owners have noticed a 24% increase in sales during this year instead of the previous year.
Seasonal shopping will start early, and the crucial role in a purchase comes down to the consumer or their experience while shopping. The recent trends show that site search bars and suggestions are changing. They are becoming more advanced and populated with recommendations based on specific consumer preferences.
Optimizing the search in an app or website can have an immense impact on consumer experience and purchase decisions. Some of the successful brands in Europe are using innovation and software development to connect and engage consumers. For example, voice search is becoming increasingly popular.
With an increase in smartphone usage, customers are adapting to new technologies like voice search. Although it represents a challenge for UX designers and developers because of the seamless understanding of each word pronounced. However, the market expects to see an increase in voice search usage, especially today when people are accustomed to talking to their mobile phones wherever they go.
Connected Shoppers
As cliche as it sounds, the customer always comes first. It is the most accurate expression now more than ever. Social purchasing has become a trend in recent years. It is a clear message that brands should make lives easier for their consumers. During the exploration and evaluation stage, there is an increase in searching for reviews about specific products.
Customers turn to reviews for additional information. The most common place to look is social media pages and websites. According to market researchers, approximately 92% of consumers claim that reviews significantly impact their purchase decision. Of course, social media has been around for a while. However, a modern-day shopper will use any information, including reviews, to decide on a product purchase.
The trends in e-commerce are changeable, and the industry is growing. Every segment of its system comes from software development. Having a clear vision to engage customers is equally important as having a software development company turn ideas into reality. From simple landing pages to personalized search, software developers pay attention to each detail.
People look for answers and inspiration in their daily lives every day on search engines. Businesses able to anticipate consumers’ needs is an excellent opportunity for growth. Assistance in technology is becoming one of the increasingly popular search trends. Consumers shop online because of the convenience, home delivery, and personalized service unique to individual needs.
TNation is an outsourcing software development company with years of experience in the industry. Let us know about your new ideas for an e-commerce project.
