The world of E-commerce has only increased in popularity as technology has advanced. The online world has the ability to cater for most consumer needs and is performing better year on year. But what are the reasons for the increased demand? Here’s a look at 4 key changes why online shopping is thriving.
Speed and Timing – Delivery Services
It used to be the case ordering online had to be done a week in advance to assure delivery was on time. Now, with next day delivery being optimised for perfect timing around customer’s schedules, people aren’t phrased for a second about leaving an order until the last minute. Most delivery companies set time frames via email or text to let recipients know when to be at home which makes the whole day much easier to work out. The future isn’t stopping there either, larger companies like Argos has begun to offer same day delivery to selected customers, which can be convenient for the holidays.
the price of delivery is also becoming lower, large companies like ASOS offer a next day delivery subscription for just £10 a year.
Ease – Mobile Apps
The ability to order has never been easier, using mobile devices and downloading purpose designed appsmakes the platform to order fluid and with minimal effort required. Some apps are integrated with payment methods, such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet to make the process even simpler and removes the need to add card details in constantly.
Being able to browse on a mobile device makes shopping even more likely, sitting at home whilst watching TV, a potential customer can be browsing constantly and will eventually find something they would like to try.
Price – Lower Overheads
A big benefit of running an online store is lower overheads, it’s surprising how much it costs to run and maintain a physical store in a prime location with large volumes of footfall. Running a warehouse is much cheaper and requires less work overall, negotiating a deal with a local courier removes the majority of transporting issues and the business can operate on a much lower cost, which in turn, becomes profit.
E-commerce also has the advantage to create deals with stores, which increase their profits but also their brand awareness. Brands like Jameson Carter, which began as an e-commerce business, now sell their products in Foot Asylum stores which just increases the attention around the brand, it takes advantage of both avenues with minimal risk and overheads.
Online Marketing – Lower Cost
Advertising a high street store is costly, billboards, TV adverts and local magazines adverts are all expensive and don’t have a guaranteed chance of working. Online marketing has been a beneficial tool for E-commerce for years, it gives businesses the ability to see the exact success or failure of a campaign. Using paid social media channels and paid google searches, a brand can see how many users clicked the ads and how many order whilst on the site, they can adjust discounts if they find people have entered the site and left without ordering, online market can even retarget online browsers so the brands stay in their other searches, which works as a friendly reminder to place an order. All these tools are cost-effective and can be tested with the smallest of budgets, giving the brands less risk to advertise.
The high street does still offer some advantages, there will always be people who would prefer to go into a store and feel a product before they bought it, try it on or test it. The online world doesn’t offer this, it’s only tempting offer to match is free and extended returns. Stores also help those who aren’t sure about what they want, roaming around a store is much easier to find inspiration rather than trying to find something you’re not completely sure on yet. Stores also have a better ability to show off their personality, music, styles and decor can subtly inspire someone to shop in store.
