There is no doubt that in a field as dynamic as eCommerce, trends are changing fast. This is even more true when we think of the all-embracing impact of mobile technology on the way we live.
Without exception, mobile commerce (or also, mCommerce) emerges as the next big thing in online business development. In 2021, mCommerce is expected to reach more than 70% of the global e-commerce market.
What does this entail for our online business development? Which is the smart way to go while developing our online store? Can we do without mobile?
In this article, we are looking deeper into what mobile commerce is, and what makes it so successful. We are tackling mCommerce features and market shares. Next, we are discussing key trends and strategies for online mobile stores.
The easiest way to get a convincing idea of mCommerce importance is by taking a peep at what global leaders are doing. Here are 12 reasons why Amazon’s mobile success has been featured.
Learn by example? Why not! One step at a time.
What is mCommerce?
To put it simply, mobile commerce is the buying and selling of goods on mobile devices. That way, it largely refers to the option of making commercial transactions on smartphones and tablets.
Following the wide global spread of mobile devices, mCommerce has been also growing fast. Although its shares across countries differ, rising mCommerce trends are seen to sustain worldwide.
To illustrate, at some countries such as China, mCommerce development became so huge that the country was labelled as a ‘mobile-first commerce nation’. The phenomenon was largely attributed to the equally vast penetration of social networks and the way they integrated with mobile.
Also, let us take a look at what recent data shows about mCommerce shares in eCommerce globally. The graph below illustrates mobile retail commerce sales as a percentage of retail e-commerce sales worldwide from 2016 to 2021.
Source: Statista
mCommerce vs eCommerce: What is the Difference?
mCommerce is a sub branch of eCommerce which offers yet another way of online shopping. It may be implemented both by websites optimized for mobile and by mobile apps, which however differ in kind.
By happening on a mobile device, mCommerce directly responds to the needs of dynamic consumers. Such for example are the Millennials, and the emerging Gen Y, whose economic power is increasing daily. Logically, mCommerce results are also progressively increasing.
Why is mCommerce on such a rise?
Mobile commerce is probably the fastest developing fragment of eCommerce. Its growth may be seen as being built on:
- the global spread and enhancement of mobile devices;
- inherent mCommerce features such as technological advancement and innovation;
- being the next wave of overall eCommerce development, it makes the best use of eCommerce achievements;
- global leaders such as social media and Google have included mCommerce into their offerings;
- mCommerce significantly improves shoppers’ experience and depending on cultural and generational specifics it may easily become a new lifestyle pattern.
Explore what an analysis reveals about how Millennials and Gen Y in the UK for example influence the power of mobile in eCommerce.
Is eCommerce Lagging Behind?
Traditional eCommerce, however, is far from lagging behind. On the contrary, the number of users shopping online by the comfort of their computer or laptop have also registered new heights, especially in times of COVID-19.
Classical online shopping is still seen to have its advantages. They may be associated with the greater availability of information, better competitor comparison options, proven security, etc. Also, customers may feel more at ease with practicing a habit they have already established, rather than forming a new one.
The question of choosing one type of eCommerce at the expense of the other is really not valid. Mobile commerce and eCommerce should always be seen as complementary rather than opposing.
Another major observation to keep in mind is that today’s users do expect omnichannel shopping experiences.
So, which way to go?
Well, while it is obligatory considering mobile in your sales mix, your online store development shall also depend on your consumer profile and strategy. Should you be willing to consult this with us, do not hesitate to do so.
Otherwise, here follow a couple of tips for starting a mobile online store.
Top Tips for Using Mobile Stores
In this section, we have collected some top tips about what to consider when launching online mobile stores. If you are interested in learning more about mCommerce strategies for building mobile apps in particular, you may continue here.
Online mobile stores are both a shopping and a marketing channel. Thus, you should take due care of their UX design, optimization, content and overall effectiveness, to name a few.
Let us see how this relates to eCommerce features.
Relevant Channel Optimization for Keeping Customers
Optimizing your website for mobile is a must if you are interested in driving mobile traffic to your online store. It also helps preventing customers from going away to the competition.
Mobile eCommerce statistics shows that around 70% of users have bought online after researching relevant information. And also, more than 60% of users are less likely to buy from a brand if they have had a negative mobile experience.
Therefore, creating seamless mobile-specific experiences for users will ensure that they stay longer on your website. This naturally increases customer chances for making a purchase.
If you would like to learn more, take a look at what other figures say.
The Simpler, the Better
More than 70% of users have highlighted simplicity and ease-of-use as top factors, which influence purchasing decisions. The latter really makes sense if you remember that using mobile is done by a tap instead of a click.
Other top mCommerce features worth considering here include quick load times, easy check-outs, sufficiently big buttons, visible calls-for-action, etc.
The increased importance of social proofs is indisputable, so you better think of including social sharing and product review options too.
Enhance Security to Prevent Customer Concerns
Probably one of the best mCommerce efficiency strategies is enhancing your mobile website security.
Despite fast mobile payment development, security still forms a major cause for concern. As a 2019 PwC report on mobile payments shows, it still is an issue for 75% of customers in leading European economies.
Therefore, having in place secure settings visible to customers will significantly help you prevent potential buyers’ uncertainty.
Key Takeaways
mCommerce is the next major phase of eCommerce development. Optimizing your online store for mobile and/or launching a mobile app is certain to improve your overall performance.
mCommerce strategies for mobile optimization, enhanced security and simplicity have proven to be key drivers for mobile customers. You may best use them in combination with your overall eCommerce development so that to attain true omnichannel user experience and best results.
Go mobile to make a difference!
