Amidst slowing economic activities, Covid-19 has led to a surge in e-commerce and an accelerated digital revolution.

With drastically declining foot traffic, lockdown became the new constant, businesses and consumers progressively “Go Digital”, offering and buying everything online,  increasing e-commerce’s share of global retail trade from 13.6% in 2019 to 19.5% in 2021.

Basically, it doesn’t matter what your business model is or what sales channel you preferred for the first time ever. Every business is at the brink without alternatives. So, either you can make the most out of your online sales with Ecommerce companies in the UAE or tempt fortune.

Simply put, the COVID-19 outbreak has sparked a prolonged period of eCommerce adoption that is nowhere near to fade soon.

So, how can your business capitalize on this unprecedented rise in eCommerce? Considering everything going around, how to know what to focus on? 

Here’s a little read up along with the best tips to thrive in the COVID-19 era. 

Table Of Content: 

1. COVID-19 Unforeseen Push In Ecommerce
2. The Age Of Ecommerce Success Stories
3. What Will Be The New Normal?
4. Top Things You Should Consider To Thrive Amid The Epidemic 

Look Ahead To Marketing

Respond With Innovations

Reevaluate Your Offer

Keep It Easy To Shop From you

Go Mobile

COVID-19 Unforeseen Push For Ecommerce 

• COVID-19 Momentary Impact

In the early months of 2020, eCommerce, unlike other industries, was thrown into tumult by the arrival of COVID-19. And, as the crisis unfolded, there were more optimistic scenarios supporting the increased push for ecommerce: 

Increased digitization in retailing sector

Extensive use of data analytics for customized marketing

Following social measures guidelines

Limited persons in physical stores

• COVID-19 Deep-Rooted Impacts

All elements considered, the e-commerce perspective will be the new source of growth in retail, becoming almost a $50 billion market by 2025. 

Besides, there will be a more significant drift in e-commerce between 2020 and 2022, expected at 20 per cent CAGR, with gradual growth at 14% till 2025. Though, without COVID-19, the same growth was projected at 14 and 10 per cent, respectively.  

Especially for businesses with a physical brick and mortar store, this could mean bumps in the road as the present trend portrays an exceptional drop in-store sales vs 2019. In contrast, online sales have manifolded three times or even to quadrupled.

To simply put, there is one thing everyone needs to know about the COVID-19 impact on ecommerce – “There’s More Of It and It’s Better To Adapt”

Let’s Begin With, “There Are More and More Tech Savvy Customers”. 

Besides, the most hardcore brick-and-mortar shoppers were initially forced into ecommerce during 2020. 

Unsurprisingly, 60% of millennials shop online, spending an average of $1,500 yearly on electronics, travelling and clothing. Even they use numerous types of e-payments that are motivated by cash backs, discounts, rewards and convenience. In addition, the epidemic has also helped educate the baby boomers about the potential of e-commerce, increasing awareness and crafting a new clientele base.  

In a nutshell, “eCommerce is all set to take more prominence in the not so far future, and the effects of a more definitive shift to online will ripple through the entirety of the retail ecosystem.”  

The Age Of eCommerce Success Stories 

The ripple theory holds true for businesses as well. Especially for companies who partnered with eCommerce companies in Dubai or worldwide at the right time had their focus on other industries have pivoted faster.

Here are some of the latest happenings from the world’s most enormous mammoths that offer an insight to understand better what’s actually going on.

1. Right after the USA and Europe stepped into the spring lockdown, the two industry mammoths – “Google and Facebook” made their efforts to take market share from Amazon. Firstly, Google provided free Google shopping listings to businesses worldwide. Then, Facebook rolled out shops to grab more eCommerce businesses to sell their products on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

2. Recently, YouTube is going to partner with its community of creators on including eCommerce capabilities. It clearly means that users will be able to shop online for products featured in live videos. Besides, this live streaming eCommerce trend has been significant in China for many years. TikTok is partnering with Shopify and uncovering further possibilities of foraying into ecommerce.

3. There’s no doubt, Amazon professed it’s global domination in eCommerce by posting an amazing 35% upsurge in net sales for the first three quarters of 2020.

Time To Unbox The “New” Normal 

Some describe the present eCommerce uproar in terms of accelerating the “drastic transformation” of swapping physical stores with online stores. But every omnichannel merchant will quickly realize that this perspective is wrong. 

In-stores and online shopping should not only co-exist but also complement each other. Besides, offerings like buy online, in-store pickup and grocery delivery are likely to grow in popularity throughout the pandemic and become standard operating processes across every household. 

The increased adoption of digital channels for online shopping will mostly stay as the “new” normal, as many people have experienced their benefits first hand. Besides, considering the eMarketer’s prediction, eCommerce sales reached 14.4% of the complete US retail spending in 2020 with 19.2% by 2024.

Moreover, customer behaviour will err on the aspect of convenience and options even after the pandemic is long over. Businesses need to match consumer behaviour and eCommerce adoption to cater to customers and effectively scale their operations. 

To achieve this, integrating technology throughout the supply chain is necessary to support an e-commerce enabled business and maintain customer experience through the entire shopping journey. 

Top Things You Should Consider To Thrive Amid The Epidemic

• Look Ahead To Marketing

I placed the marketing concern at first because the bait to cut on digital marketing investment is comparatively high. 

I agree that cutting expenses is reasonable in times of uncertainty, but marketing is the least bet you can turn down for cutting expenses. So, remember that the reason for this uncertainty is external. Actually, people are waiting for the storm to pass. 

And, as soon as the condition changes, the shopping trend will change as swiftly as they seem, customers will start shopping once again. 

As it gives a good impression and stays top of mind – rather than cutting, it’s high time to hire ecommerce developers and invest in marketing. 

• Respond With Innovations

The best way to make it to the edge is to turn to your eCommerce development company for advice.

For example, consider auditing your online store – the right agency will offer UX audit or technical audit services. This way, you will have experts in a matter of a few business days. 

Besides, there are different ways you can improve your online store. For beginners, investing in high-quality content is a good move. Intuitive photos, videos, and detailed product descriptions often lead to more sales and cater to minimize possible returns. 

• Reevaluate Your Offer

The onset of COVID-19 has transformed how we live; there’s no doubt! 

This is one important thing you cannot ignore when it’s all about your customers. Some products you sell may not cater to their needs, while others may be more than important to them. 

So, ask yourself the questions below to evaluate what you should still sell during and after the pandemic. 

1. What Are The Products You Sell That May No Longer Be Needed?

Amid the pandemic, you may be selling products that are not relevant to your clientele base anymore. For example, you may be selling travel accessories, but they are now extremely limited due to the epidemic, so you may not continue selling them. Besides, to adapt to this and ally lost sales, it’s advisable to remove those items or alter them in a way that can adjust to at-home use.  

Once a pandemic starts to wind down, determine if those products are still needed to sell or if they should become permanent fixtures of your inventory. 

2. How Can You Readjust Your Service To Serve Customers Better?

There is no need to say we live in a confusing time. 

So, it’s crucial for your customers that you bring a sense of clarity with your services. Whether customers need assistance with a return or finding a product they need, spreading the reach of your customer service can make a significant difference. Even in research from American Express, it was found that 7 out of 10 U.S customers state that they have spent more money to do business with a company that offers unparalleled customer service. 

Here are few ways through which you can improve your customer service during and after the pandemic:

• Use more channels to manifold your online support. This will eventually help in maintaining availability on multiple channels, including live chat, email, phone and even social platforms.

• Provide longer customer support office hours. This proves to be helpful for the fact that customers cannot see you physically. 

• Be clear regarding the wait and delivery times. This element is essential if your staff is confined or is working from home because of the pandemic. Delivery times have also been delayed across the globe, so it’s better to inform customers of the situation you are handling. 

3. What Products To Sell To Be More Relevant To Customers?

Imagine how the pandemic has affected your customers and how their needs may have altered. But, as already mentioned, several online stores may feel the need to add medical and cleansing supplies. 

In a nutshell, add only those products to your inventory if it only makes sense for your business. 

• Keep It Easy To Shop From You

As people are prone to stay-at-home lifestyles, they will appreciate whatever businesses can do to ease the comfort of online shopping. 

The list of possible enhancements includes:

• Make the returning as stress-free as possible 
• Allow payments in installments with Pay Later services.
• Enable click-and-collect and also curbside pickup

• Go Mobile For Better Communication

Does your analytics data present a big increase in transactions made from mobile devices?

If yes, then don’t miss out on this global trend! Make sure your partnered ecommerce developers in Dubai keep it easy for users to shop on your website, even from their mobiles.

Moreover, your business must constantly be communicating with your audience. Businesses and customers are both experiencing many transformations in their day-to-day life, whether it’s a financial struggle or a simple change in routine. 

So, by opening up a conversation with your customers, you can measure what changes they would like to see in your business and how they will respond to that valuable feedback. 

Make it clear that you care about more than just the customer’s wallet, and also portray that your business is passionate about how they can help in a meaningful way. 

Finally…

eCommerce has undeniably emerged as the silver lining in a sluggishly cloud economic skyline. 

Besides, the global pandemic has given an enormous upthrust to regional e-commerce, with better and lasting changes in consumer and enterprise behaviour. So, everyone should take note and rewrite their strategies, policies, and operating models to make it the best of ecommerce driven #thenewnormal. 

So, those who have already partnered with the leading ecommerce companies in the UAE have weathered the storm and are well-positioned to be the forerunner even after the COVID-19 retail revival.

After all, the one who fails to grab this opportunity to make the required changes will be sidelined and put their survival in question.