2023 is around the corner. What’s new for eCommerce? What are the leading forces in online selling advocating for? It’s time to focus on the year to come and how you can make the best of your business so you can stay ahead of the curve and surpass your competition. We bring you 5 must-have online business resolutions for 2023 so you can get off to a great start!
Online business resolution #1 – Zero carbon, zero waste
“The eCommerce sector is a bridge between the digitalization of our society and the transition to a more sustainable economy. It is a sector in constant and rapid evolution, shaped by new technologies, new ambitions, and ideas, new demands, making it a sector capable of spearheading innovative sustainable solutions.”
Many eCommerce businesses are now considering, and sometimes implementing, net-zero targets. Many address sustainability as a priority, and expectations continue to evolve on the subject.
In fact, the sustainable movements in eCommerce are taken one step further by having the active involvement of key players such as stakeholders, who are demanding commitment toward future environmentally-friendly strategies.
3D configuration is the technology that can help businesses reach their zero waste targets, through personalization and a more responsible way of producing. If you’d like to know how, read our article on the subject.
Online business resolution #2 – Make-to-stock to make-to-order
Make to stock is a wordy term for the most traditional and some might say – outdated – way of stocking up. It means guessing what the customer is going to get, purchasing plenty of it, and leaving it on the shelves in the hope that someone stumps up the cash and buys it off.
It relies on the predictability of customers’ needs. You have to anticipate what they will buy and when they will buy it.
Make-to-order is when a product is made specifically when an order is received from the customer. Fueled by the growth of eCommerce and cloud technology, its popularity has grown in
recent years.
Using this model, a company only has to buy the materials and components it needs to make a specific product. The business doesn’t have to rent or own large storage areas because there’s nothing to store.
It reduces the storage needs and logistics pressures on companies and manufacturers, while also allowing for greater personalization of products. This helps control costs while also boosting brand appeal.
Would like to know how 3D configuration can help you make the change from make-to-stock to make-to-order? Then download our free whitepaper!
Online business resolution #3 – Metaverse ready
According to Gartner, 25% of people will spend at least one hour a day in the Metaverse for work, shopping, education, social media, and entertainment by 2026. We know that the metaverse seems a bit out of reach at this point. The tech behind it is still expensive but the fact is that it can be accessed using several forms of hardware. Entering this immersive world will be easy once the market evolves.
We’ve been seeing that evolution on a daily bases. Mobile phones now have AR capabilities, for example.
The metaverse comes with a lot of advantages for companies. For example, besides the normal Marketing KPIs businesses can use the virtual world to test the penetration of their products without having to manufacture them. Depending on the engagement a certain product receives, businesses will have a better knowledge of how much of it to manufacture and even what kind of personalization to provide.
To be ready for this world can sound comprehensive. Creating 3D models of every single product and their customization can be expensive and time-consuming. It requires a skilled workforce and a lot of resources.
A 3D configurator can help companies to optimize this process by facilitating the personalization process and providing great visualization. Through a 3D configurator, companies are able to create real-life models of their products and allow the customers to change their features at the same time they can inspect every little detail from 360 degrees.
Online business resolution #4 – A realistic online customer experience
Product returns are a big problem for online businesses, and they can mean many things, for example:
- Product photography is not a faithful representation of the real thing;
- Not enough information about the products;
- The product was damaged or defective;
- The customer experienced buyer’s remorse.
At least 30% of all products ordered online are returned as compared to 8.89% in physical stores.
In order to reduce product returns, the customer has to be empowered in their journey. They have to feel like they have all the information they need and that the product feels real. It’s therefore important to offer the best visualization possible.
3D configuration is a great way of putting shoppers in charge. A configurator enables shoppers to get the best online visualization at the same time they are engaged in the creative process. They’ll be able to change things like color, material, and size, and even engrave or accessorize products as they view the item from all angles.
Online business resolution #5 – Personalization and customization
81% of customers are willing to pay more for customized clothing and 76% are willing to pay more for customized furniture. Shoppers want customization and they will pay more for it, no matter the industry.
In a world that celebrates individuality, it is important to provide customers with options. Big brands such as Ralph Lauren, Nike, and Rituals are already doing it.
With personalization comes a better customer experience, increased customer loyalty, and fewer product returns.
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