In the year 2023 we have completely changed our buying habits, our networking habits, and the way we get our news. The collective “US” is slowly but surely moving everything online – and shopping is no exception. 

Buying things online has become a common practice among millions of people around the world, especially after our Covid experiences. Recently the number of people buying goods and services online has increased more than ever before. One of the reasons online shopping has grown so much over the years is the experience that businesses are able to provide to their customers. Businesses add new features and services for online shoppers, with the intent of providing them the same support and customer service that they would have during an in-person shopping experience. 

The truth is that shopping online is becoming more and more like shopping in person. 

Here are some facts for online shopping in 2023

1.  
How many people shop online?
An estimated 2.14 billion people purchase goods online worldwide.
Projections show that e-commerce sales will grow to 6.4 trillion by 2024.

2.     
Shopping starts online… 63% of shopping occasions begin online.

This means that no matter where customers are finally making the purchase (online or in brick-and-mortar stores), their journey
starts online – in most cases on Google or Amazon, where they’re doing their research. That’s also why it’s crucial for brands to have a strong online presence. By improving the customers experience from the very first step, businesses have a higher chance of getting customers to buy from their stores or websites. 

3.     
Consumers shop via mobile devises

Nearly 50% of consumers shop more on mobile than in the store. If you plan on running a successful e-commerce website, you can’t afford to ignore mobile experience while they are shopping. Consumers are using their mobile devices across all steps of the buyer journey, and that includes many types of online shopping.

4.     
Most popular online payment method is?

Digital/mobile wallets are the preferred payment methods among digital shoppers worldwide. They show up 49% of the time. Following that in second place are credit cards, and debit cards as the third most popular online payment method. If you have an online store or are planning to start an e-commerce store, it’s important for you to consider your payment gateways. You need to always ensure that you provide your customers with a secure and easy checkout experience they desire. 

5.     
Shoppers expect to see new products and services

75% of consumers’ site search queries are brand new each month. This goes to show that when people are browsing online, they’re actively searching for new products. On top of that, 69 percent of consumers say it’s important or very important to see new merchandise each time they visit a store or shopping site.

6.     
How often do people shop online?

Nearly 80% of consumers shop online at least one time each month. In addition to that, 49% of online shoppers shop online one time every 2 weeks, and 22% claim to do so every week. Streamlining digital commerce experiences that provide the customers with the information that they’re looking for to enable faster decision making.  Brands can assist by creating a multi-step commerce journey. Businesses can reach out to their customers through email, by giving them information on the latest offers, or communicate with them through social media channels. 

7.     
Primary reason online shoppers abandon their carts?
49% of cart abandonments are due to high extra costs which include anything from shipping to taxes and fees. Adding extra costs to the online shopping process, especially at the very last step, deter buyers from following through with their intended purchase. These costs are an immediate source of annoyance
for online shoppers, who may see this as a lack of transparency. As an online store owner, the best way to deal with this is to offer full disclosure. It’s better to list all costs right from the beginning of the buyer’s journey.  

Online shopping is always evolving. If businesses want to survive in the competitive landscape, they need to pay attention to their customers online experience. So be sure to keep these seven online shopping facts in mind when you’re planning for your business strategy in 2023.