Website eCommerce Trends For 2024: Accelerate Your Online Growth

If there was ever a time to break into the eCommerce space, that time is right now. Global eCommerce spend is expected to reach $7 trillion in 2024, according to Forbes Advisor, and that’s huge for online shops that focus on the consumer (Remember when you had to fight other ravenous shoppers to claw your way to the last the Beanie Baby? Now you can simply press the Add to Cart button!). And while that means there are serious opportunities for internet shops to earn increased revenue, it also means more competition. Every online store should pay attention to the latest website eCommerce trends for 2024 to ensure they remain as competitive as possible.

If you haven’t taken a hard look at your website recently, now’s the time. That same report from Forbes Advisor estimates global eCommerce purchases will total more than $8 trillion annually by 2026—meaning we can expect to see online spending increase by 14% over the next two years.

Don’t miss out on 14% growth—and potentially even more—for your business! Check out our roundup of the latest online trends to ensure your website stays one step ahead of your competitors.

Website eCommerce Trends For 2024

Based on recent eCommerce trends we’re seeing with our clients and the online space as a whole, here’s how we expect online stores to push ahead of the competition in 2024:

1. Increased Focus On Shopify

A great developer will conduct plenty of research to ensure you pick the right site platform. But here’s a shortcut for companies in the eCommerce world: In recent years, we’ve seen more and more online stores commit to Shopify for its ease of use and robust, business-focused tools.

That’s made it a clear choice in the debate between Shopify and WooCommerce (the leading eCommerce plugin from WordPress).

Even better: Shopify generally provides a better user experience, and that could keep shoppers coming back to your website again and again—especially with its built-in tools for keeping in touch with customers.

But AI is also changing the way eCommerce companies think about the online experience, and it even made our list of Website Design Trends for 2024. Some of the most impressive ways these online businesses are supercharging their stores:

2. AI Integration

AI was a massive buzzword in 2023, and companies like ChatGPT grabbed headline after headline for their impressive capabilities.

3. Personalization

Like we said earlier: Users love personalized experiences.

And chatbots aren’t the only way to make that happen. Other ways AI can elevate personalization on your website:

• Use AI to recommend products based on user behavior and preferences
• Use AI to recommend content based on user behavior and preferences
• Use AI to assist in creating engaging copy in emails and other follow-up communications

And don’t forget about personalization off of your website as well. Your digital ad team has the ability to become incredibly granular in their advertising, and your email lists can be segmented over and over so each email feels like it’s hand-written for each recipient.

4. Improved Search Functionality

Do you know what the biggest search engine is for products?

It’s Amazon. 50% of all product searches start on Amazon, according to Search Engine Land. That’s even more than Google, which only accounts for 31.5% of product searches!

If you don’t have search functionality on your eCommerce site, you’re missing out.

And don’t stop at simply installing a search feature. Make it robust. Add in:

• Auto-suggestions
• Search filters
• A user-friendly design
• Natural language processing to better understand user queries

Nailing your search functionality can help users find the ideal product faster than ever.

5. Enhanced Checkout Experiences

A simple checkout experience can lead to faster conversions and greater revenue for your business.

So, how can you create a better checkout process for site visitors? Here are some of the concepts we expect to see more and more companies adopt in 2024:

• Variety of Payment Options – Shoppers want a robust selection of online payment options, which can include credit cards, digital wallets (like PayPal and Apple Pay), and even Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services.
• Streamlined Checkout – Combining or eliminating steps can increase the likelihood of a conversion.
• Guest Checkout – The guest checkout option has grown more and more popular among people who want to avoid creating an account.
• Last-Second Add-to-Cart Options – Adding add-ons through the checkout process gives you a last-minute opportunity to increase cart size before the user completes their purchase. We discussed this topic in more detail in our November newsletter. Be sure to sign up for future newsletters for additional insights!
• Enhanced UX – An optimized user experience leads to better website performance, which is only one of many benefits of UX design. Some of the UX eCommerce trends we expect to continue in 2024:
• Optimized Website Speed and Performance – Users want content fast, or else they may choose to shop somewhere else. Ensure all pages load quickly, and use content delivery networks and compressed images to speed up loading times.
• Mobile Optimization – This is a must for all websites, as more than half of all web traffic is now conducted on a mobile device. Deliver a smooth online experience on mobile devices—all the way from the homepage to the final checkout page.
• Clear Navigation – Intuitive navigation menus and well-organized product hierarchy create a smooth user experience. It may help to think about your website the same way you’d think about organizing a brick-and-mortar store!
• High-Quality Product Images and Videos – Whenever possible, use detailed imagery and videos to better showcase your product from multiple angles—and don’t forget to add zoom functionality so users can get an even closer look.
• Detailed Product Descriptions – Clear, informative product descriptions are essential for answering common questions, and don’t forget to include notes about product dimensions, materials used, and care instructions! The more information you can offer visitors, the more useful your content.
• User Reviews and Ratings – Customer reviews and ratings are important social proofs for driving conversions, and they also lend greater credibility to your company.

7. Robust Reporting and Tracking

We’ve all heard the old adage: “You can improve what you don’t measure.”

Expect to see savvy eCommerce companies continue growing more sophisticated in their reporting, analytics, and testing.

A/B testing is still a cornerstone of website tests, so continue trying different elements on your website (like unique CTAs, custom product pages, and a variety of colors) to optimize for conversions.

8. Increased Focus on the Consumer

One of the best eCommerce tactics: focus on delivering a great experience to the consumer beyond what you see on the web page itself. Some of the ways eCommerce companies will continue to grow in 2024:

• Promotions and Discounts – In addition to seasonal sales and promotions, expect more companies to roll out loyalty programs for repeat buyers (something that has become easier and easier through platforms like Shopify).
• Security and Trust Signals – Consumers want to know their data is safe when they shop through your website. Security badges, SSL certificates, and other trust signals can reassure shoppers while they’re considering your products.
• Abandoned Cart Recovery – Automated email campaigns are one of the best ways to reconnect with shoppers who left your site before they finished purchasing.
• Shipping Options and Costs – Clearly communicating shipping costs and delivery windows is essential for building trust with online shoppers.
• Customer Support and Live Chat – AI can help as a chatbot, but offering real-time support from a company representative is important. Look for tools to help you and your team deliver better customer service online.
• Returns and Refunds – Your policies surrounding returns and refunds should be clear and easy to find.

Tap Into the Hottest eCommerce Trends for 2024

If you’re thinking about updating your site to align with the most effective eCommerce trends of 2024, don’t branch out alone! Our team can lend the support you need to enhance your website and deliver a better user experience—and increased profitability. Contact us today or check out our eCommerce Web Design Services.