The Dutch have spent about €35 billion on the Internet over the past few years. From books to camera equipment and from the latest sustainable drinking bottle to iPhone. We would much rather buy online than go to the store.
Not surprisingly, the e-commerce sector continues to evolve rapidly. To remain as successful as possible on the Internet, it is important to keep abreast of the latest e-commerce trends. Only then can your shop keep up with its competitors.
Increased use of AI and machine learning
It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in. Whether you own your own webshop or are a teacher … AI and machine learning will continue to make headlines everywhere. For that reason, it is one of the most important e-commerce trends.
In 2025, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning will be widely used by various companies. So be sure not to be left behind!
AI and machine learning can be used to create a personalized shopping experience. But that’s not all. These smart technologies also manage product inventory. In addition, they can be used to improve customer service.
You too can use AI and machine learning for your web shop. But how?
Customized personalization
Let AI analyze your customers’ behavior. You can put this information to good use to provide a personalized experience. Personalized recommendations, dynamic pricing and product pages that adapt to the individual will become the norm.
Improved customer service
You know how important strong customer service is for your online store. It makes your target audience trust you more. You can make this customer service even better by deploying AI-driven chatbots.
The advanced technologies can easily mimic human conversations. Thus, the chatbots will not only be able to answer the simple questions, but also the difficult ones.
Managing product inventory
AI and machine learning make smart use of existing data. As a result, they can serve you well in your inventory management. This is because the technologies can predict consumer demand very well. As a result, you will no longer be stuck with too many or too few products.
The influence of AI and machine learning will be huge in the coming years. Not only for how you run your shop, but also how consumers experience their online shopping experience.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
The online shopping experience we know today is quite limited. For example, we often only see images and text on a webshop. However, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality can be used to make your products almost tangible!
AR
Do you sell furniture? Then you can cleverly use AR, for example. This technology allows customers to visualize your products in their own environment.
The chances of them returning your product are thus reduced a lot! Using AR in this case reduces doubt and increases trust in your company.
VR
VR goes one step further. With a product like the Apple Vision Pro, a customer steps into a whole new world! Instead of scrolling through product pages, give the customer the opportunity to walk through a virtual showroom and get help from a virtual store employee.
You see. AR and VR are blurring the line between online shopping and physical shopping. This makes it a hugely interesting trend. How will we get our products in 10 years?
Companies that use this benefit from valuable data. This is because they know how customers interact with their products in a visual world. This offers various insights for marketing strategies and product development.
Growth of social commerce
You can’t open Instagram or TikTok anymore without coming across an ad or direct link to an online store. In 2025, this will only become a bigger phenomenon. Social commerce is the idea that consumers can buy their products directly through a social media platform.
Instead of directing your customers to an external website, social commerce allows you to make a purchase within a few clicks. And this without having to leave Pinterest or TikTok! This is one of the e-commerce trends that will remain hugely relevant in the coming years.
We’re already seeing it on TikTok. 1 in 4 TikTok users are interested in buying a product they see on a TikTok live. So social commerce is perfect for impulse purchases. And that’s where TikTok Shop is playing fantastically well.
The influence of influencers on e-commerce trends
Social commerce is driven by the presence of content creators and influencers. These people have a strong connection with their followers. As a result, all their recommendations come across as more credible than “traditional” ads. This is also why more and more companies are using UGC to influence and persuade their target audience.
So make sure your web shop is no longer your only sales channel. Make use of different social media as well!
Voice commerce
Smart speakers such as Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant are causing voice commerce to grow tremendously. The proliferation of voice-enabled technologies is changing the way people store. It is also changing the way businesses need to think about their online strategies.
Consumers want convenience. Picking up a phone or flipping open a laptop is already too much trouble. Instead, owners of smart speakers can simply give a command. “Order my weekly groceries,” or “Order the shoes that are on my Zalando wishlist.”
Voice search optimization
The rise and growth of this trend is making companies think about optimizing their web shop and content for voice search. Whereas “traditional” searches are often short and sweet, voice searches are often longer.
For example, instead of “black shoes,” people searching by voice search search for “black shoes with white laces by Adidas.
Thus, this new way of searching causes the SEO strategies you apply now to change. The presence of FAQs and content focused on conversion are now more important than ever!
If you as a brand respond quickly to these trends, you will be rewarded with more and happier customers. You will be completely ready for the future.
Mobile only!
Mobile only a trend? Yep. The trend used to be on mobile first. Now more than half of consumers choose to only use their mobile to search, compare and buy a product.
A few years ago mobile was seen as an afterthought in the world of e-commerce, but in 2025 e-commerce is all about the mobile experience.
So now is the time to fully optimize your webshop for mobile use! Think about responsive design, fast load times and a user-friendly design.
In addition, it is important to ensure that mobile payments can be made easily and securely. Here, also focus on the addition of biometric authentication. People want to be able to make a purchase as quickly as possible. Facial recognition and fingerprint scanners contribute greatly to this.
Combine with other e-commerce trends
The mobile-only trend combines well with several trends. These include voice commerce, social commerce and the use of AR and VR.
So it is hugely important to capitalize on this trend. So important, in fact, that it should be the foundation of your e-commerce strategy. Are you not doing this? Then you will undoubtedly be overtaken by your competitors.
Sustainability and ethical consumption
A few years ago, sustainability and ethical consumption were real trends. In 2025, this will be an indispensable pillar for any e-commerce business. Instead of a superficial “green” marketing strategy, what really matters now is that you are actually doing something good for the world.
Sustainability an e-commerce trend?
It’s no longer about telling a nice, sustainable story. Consumers want you to integrate these practices into your business practices as well. Dutch consumers are becoming more conscious of their buying habits.
So, what can you do as a webshop owner? Because it’s about more than just selling products with a sustainability label.
Consumers care that packaging materials and transportation methods are sustainable. So avoid using huge packaging for a small product. And try to partner with a green transportation company!
Ethics
However, sustainability does not stop there. Consumers increasingly value working conditions. Consider, for example, fair wages and safe working conditions.
Companies that are honest and open about this are trusted a lot more by consumers worldwide. As a brand you can therefore attract more customers and distinguish yourself from the competition.
Subscription Models
People want to think as little as possible, this is reflected in various e-commerce trends. As a webshop owner, it is therefore important that you capitalize on this! This can be done through subscription models and repeat purchases.
For consumers, the benefit is obvious: no more hassle of constantly reordering products they need regularly, such as coffee, skincare or meal boxes. The subscription model ensures that the items are delivered automatically (often with a discount as an added incentive).
The benefit to your business? A long-term relationship between your brand and the customer!
In addition, these types of repeat purchases also offer you stability. You no longer have to rely on one-time purchases. You can now count on a steady base of repeat customers. And therefore a steady income as well.
We expect 2025 to be the year when subscription models evolve even further. Consider, for example, elements of flexibility and personalization. Consumers want control over what they receive when. Without being tied to strict rules.
The solution is a hybrid subscription model. As a webshop, it is smart to offer customers a subscription that they can easily modify, expand or pause.
Same-day and fast delivery
Our patience has run out. How many times have you abandoned your purchase decision when you saw that the delivery time was too long? Then let’s see if the competition has something better to offer … or do you? Speed and instant gratification have become true e-commerce trends
Instant gratification. That’s what consumers are looking for. In 2025, this need will only increase. Consumers no longer want to see same-day delivery as a premium option, but the standard.
But speed alone is not enough. Consumers want to maintain flexibility. Therefore, give your customers control over when their package is delivered. Whether that’s the same day, a specific time slot or even in the evenings.
Also, customers want to know where their order is at all times. So make use of smart technologies such as live tracking. This way, your customers will always be up-to-date.
E-commerce trends: prepare for the future
The above e-commerce trends are the foundation of 2025. So don’t leave these out! The Internet is dynamic and new trends will quickly emerge. As a business owner, make sure that you are always aware of what is emerging.
That’s the only way you can keep your customers happy. And that’s what you want, right? The customer is king. Both in the store and on the web.
Get your webshop ready for the new year!
