Consumers now expect to be able to purchase anything from food to cars online, thanks in large part to the growth of eCommerce in recent years. According to the International Trade Association, worldwide retail eCommerce sales are expected to rise by 8% each year through 2024. This convenience has created new possibilities for you to transform your eCommerce firm into a successful brand.
However, for high-touch verticals like furniture, making the transition online may be difficult when more established firms have already taken the lead. With the home décor industry anticipated to reach $838.6 billion in 2027, now is the time to think about how to stand out from the crowd.
Continue reading to learn more about important trends that can assist furniture businesses establish a presence in the internet market while also maximizing revenue.
1. Provide virtual shopping experiences
The benefits and drawbacks of online furniture shopping for the potential consumer should be considered. On one hand, they don’t have to worry about fitting something in their trunk or being pestered by pushy salespeople on the other. However, buyers want to feel confident that a piece of furniture will fulfill their needs.
How can retailers satisfy these competing demands? Enter virtual reality. Shoppers may try out a piece of furniture in their home without ever having to go to a physical store, thanks to virtual reality experiences. Shoppers may transform their living room into a furniture showroom in only a few clicks using just a smartphone or other camera-enabled gadget.
Mercury Row on Wayfair, for example, offers a fantastic online furniture shopping experience through virtual reality. The shopper is given an empty 3D space to fill with products from the brand’s product range. To begin, all they have to do is provide their room dimensions. Customers can rotate furniture, change the wall color and floor type, and add things to their basket based on the options they’ve chosen—giving them a unique, user-friendly experience.
2. Optimize your website for mobile viewing
A seamless online shopping experience is critical in order to get conversions. If your website is difficult to use, images won’t load, or important information is missing, a customer may leave your site and go elsewhere.
In the United States, mobile users outnumber desktop users for the first time. This is cause for concern, especially when considering that mobile payments are on track to increase by 24.5 percent by 2026. This will assist guarantee that visuals are appropriately sized on the screen, that information is coherently connected for consumer convenience, and that the checkout flow is as simple as possible. If your product isn’t available via a smartphone, consumers will go elsewhere to buy it. Don’t let your website’s UI become a deterrent for potential customers.
3. Offer virtual design consultations
Designing and updating rooms has become more common as individuals spend more time at home. You may build your brand and establish connections by offering consultations through your website. Despite the advantages of online purchasing, some consumers still want a one-on-one consultation to get answers immediately.
Crate and Barrel excels at providing design consultations through its website. The Design Desk links customers with a design professional who will work with them to turn their current furniture arrangement into their desired appearance using expert styling and guidance. There’s even a live chat option for resolving simple design issues. What’s more, the service is entirely free.
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