There’s no doubt that the pandemic changed our shopping habits, and our love of online shopping has grown hugely since 2020. Those businesses that were lucky enough to have a good online presence and shopping capabilities fared better than those that didn’t.
E-commerce Sales
In the UK over 80% of the population makes at least one online purchase a month, which equates to at least 4 in 5 purchases being made online. A surprising figure when you look at your local high street or shopping centre at the weekend. Many people still like to look at things before buying, but if the figures are to be believed they don’t necessarily buy from brick-and-mortar shops.
The most popular e-commerce purchases are clothes, electronics and food and drink, and over 50% of shoppers will do some form of research first. That includes looking at social media, websites and reviews to make an informed decision before they buy.
The data regarding online shopping, and what it means for retailers in the coming months and years, will help you plan your marketing and understand the importance of your online presence.
- Increasing E-commerce Penetration: Online shopping has been steadily growing in the UK, and it is expected to continue its upward trend in 2023. E-commerce has become an integral part of the retail landscape, with more consumers embracing the convenience and accessibility of online shopping.
- Mobile Commerce: The use of mobile devices for online shopping has been on the rise in recent years. In 2023, it is likely that a significant portion of online purchases in the UK will be made through smartphones and tablets, as mobile commerce continues to gain popularity.
- Consumer Behavior: UK consumers have shown a growing preference for online shopping due to factors such as convenience, competitive pricing, and a wide range of product choices. This behaviour is likely to persist in 2023 as more people become comfortable with digital transactions.
- Cross-Border Shopping: Online marketplaces have made it easier for UK consumers to shop from international retailers. In 2023, cross-border shopping may continue to be a notable trend, with consumers exploring a wider range of products and taking advantage of competitive pricing from global sellers.
- Sustainability and Ethical Shopping: The focus on sustainability and ethical consumerism is expected to continue influencing online shopping trends in the UK. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental and social impact of their purchases, and they may actively seek out retailers and brands that align with their values.
Moving With The Times
It’s easy to get left behind when it comes to selling your products online, especially if you’re not tech-savvy or just don’t have the time to manage every aspect of your business. In this electronic age, when people want instant service and have everything at their fingertips, it’s essential for retail businesses to keep up to date with online selling.
Your social media presence is a good starting point, you can reach out to customers on a daily basis with new products, behind the scenes, why they should shop with you and not your competitors, and get those valuable reviews. Your Google Business Profile needs to be set up correctly and is a great place to get reviews too.
How To Sell Online
There are online sites that you can sell from, but they tend to charge quite high commissions. When it comes to selling online having your own e-commerce website is the best solution. Especially if you want to grow your business. WooCommerce, for example, allows you to sell easily, monitor stock levels, and track sales over time. All you have to do is pack and post. The easier the buying process is, the better for your customers.
Don’t just focus on the shop though, you need to have a website that looks good, works well, loads quickly and helps your customers to make informed decisions. Stay away from pop-ups, adverts and overly-complicated designs. Keep It Simple.
In an ever-growing online world, don’t get left behind. Take some time to work on your online presence and you’ll be able to get a bigger share of the online sales.
If you have any questions or would like some help please reach out to us. We have helped lots of businesses improve their marketing and grow their revenue, we can help you too.
Get in touch on 01964 542916 or email [email protected] for a no-obligation chat.