To start let's talk about what e commerce is and how it has changed the way we shop. A lot of people are changing how they act because of technology. In 2020 global e commerce sales hit $2 trillion a year that everyone will remember for obvious reasons. According to Statista source that number will be more than $3 trillion by 202 This isn't just a small bump it's a big change.
Just walk through The Woodlands Mall. It's not empty but look at how many people are looking at their phones instead of shopping. People obviously want things to be easy. And what's easier than buying a cute set of coasters or a popular book with just a few taps on your screen at 11 PM?
Now let's talk about danger. It's nice to walk by brick and mortar stores but they have their own problems. Do you remember when the world stopped because of a certain virus? Lockdowns taught us that relying on physical stores for all your business could hurt your income.
You don't have to give up the charm of your brick and mortar store when you move to e commerce. It means keeping your money safe and making sure you have more than one source of income. E commerce can keep making sales even if your store has to close. Think about how Starbucks changed during the pandemic. They made it easier for people to order on their phones. This made a lot more people use it source.
You need to know both your product and your customers. You can get important customer information from e commerce platforms that you can't get from other types of sites. For example websites are not just places to buy things. They are full of useful information.
On the internet businesses can see what customers do like and want in real time. Imagine knowing what time of day your customers like to shop or what products they spend a lot of time looking at. Businesses can use this information to make their marketing more personal for each customer which makes the whole experience better.
Let's talk about things that happen on a lot of different channels. It's a fancy way of saying "Let's meet customers where they are " whether that's in a store online or somewhere in between. People can easily switch between the online and offline worlds even while shopping.
For instance a customer might see your product on Instagram buy it on your website and then decide to pick it up in your store or have it delivered. Target and other stores have perfected this model all over the country with their drive up services and the option to make online reservations for in store pickups source].
Finally let's look at the crystal ball. The future of online shopping will use technology and be good for the planet. These aren't just buzzwords businesses need them to stay ahead.
People care about how their purchases affect the environment and businesses need to listen to them. Businesses in The Woodlands can get customers who care about the environment by making their online shopping more eco friendly. For example they could use eco friendly packaging or offer shipping options that don't add to the carbon footprint.
Some of the technology that is going to change the way we do business like AR for virtual try ons is no longer just a story. Big companies like IKEA are already seeing how useful it is source. Being able to accept and lead in tech innovation can turn small businesses from cute to cutting edge.
The Woodlands is not immune to changes in business around the world. As 2024 gets closer it's not only a good idea to focus on e commerce it's also a smart business move. Moving your store from Woodlands Parkway to the internet is only part of the job you also need to make sure it will still be there in the future. In a world that keeps changing you need to make sure that your business is not only surviving but also doing well.
People who own businesses in The Woodlands need to be smart about their online plans now. This way our beautiful neighborhood with trees does well in the digital age combining the best of small town charm and big city reach. That would be cool right?
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