The significant influence of social media already made the consumers clamour for e-commerce options from distributors even before the pandemic hit the masses. In the wake of COVID-19, B2B customers changed their consumption behaviour and accelerated towards the digital trend of consumption leaving behind the inaccessible physical stores.
An upward shift in the e-commerce landscape is evident since the lockdown came into force and is likely to stay. Further surveys and Shopify report announced an upsurge of 86% in the population who found resorting to online shopping more effective and convenient, while 89% of businesses are expected to sustain online selling even in the post-pandemic era using the panic shopping trend.
But what kind of post-pandemic scenario can be foreseen for real-time online sellers and buyers?
How Digital Market & Social Media pushed eCommerce evolved:
As digital marketing has the ability to hyper-personalized content and can fetch higher revenue returns by targeting the potential customer. Consequently, India is expected to become a $70 billion social media market by 2030, says a report by new Bain & Company.
Jiomart and brands alike are now accepting in-app orders over WhatsApp. UPI payments integrated with WhatsApp has made it all the more convenient for everybody including the technically challenged users to adopt digital commerce.
Conversational Commerce:
The decline of “no-reply” emails and the introduction of bots and conversation automation are progressively responding to customers making digital commerce personalized. Leveraging latest technology and artificial intelligence have made it possible for businesses to become more conversational and augment their relationship with the customers. This relational approach builds trust and makes the client the core of the business.
Introduction of Vernacular Language Support & COD helped eCommerce evolved:
Integration of the vernacular language support and extended offers for COD has made it easier for first-time users and those using native languages. Supporting regional languages is a must for consumers from smaller cities.
Supporting Local Consumers:
Introducing the system of ‘buy now, pay later’ augments social ties in smaller cities. The system builds the trust of the customer and compensates for credit in e-commerce. Introduction of vernacular language support has driven 88% growth and four crore shoppers in the sector during the peak seasons.
Conclusion:
As digital acceptability is penetrating more and more people and markets opening up new brands, Old brick and mortar stores are looking for the online avenue to gain their lost revenue. But, what will make the difference is the level of empathy you show to your customers as the new age customer have a lot more options available.
New to online business? Not getting the right kind of results for your investments online? Or Looking to position your brand for the nest mile?
Connect me at digital.pinaki@gmail.com
