The retail industry is changing due to mobile commerce. Here are the top five advantages of mobile commerce, and for good reason:
Mobility
M-commerce for mobile enables smartphone users to make purchases while they’re out and about. A desktop computer or laptop are not required. Customers can make purchases with just a few touches on the screen if they have mobile internet connectivity.
Instead of using debit cards to make purchases in-store, customers can now utilize mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Better customer experience
Did you know that 57% of customers won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile website?
Additionally, 15% of US individuals only use smartphones as their only internet-connected device. Reaching them with an m-commerce strategy will almost surely result in a better purchase experience than none at all.
Despite this clear requirement for mobile-friendly experiences, the vast majority of consumers (90%) claim to have a negative experience when contacting support on mobile devices.
Attract omnichannel consumers
Shopping experiences today aren’t sequential. The range of channels includes social media, mobile apps, email, browsers, live chat, in-store visits, and everything in between.
Mobile users are most likely to combine a retail visit with a smartphone search. Nearly 75 percent of US shoppers use their phones to research a purchase they are going to make in a store. One in four people report having a change of heart in the middle of the checkout line after researching something on their phone.
Smart best practices for merchants integrating physical commerce with pre-purchase mobile touchpoints include catering to multichannel shoppers and taking local search into account.
Security
Mobile commerce has more security capabilities than ecommerce websites. Traditionally, online shoppers have relied on credit cards for purchases that are susceptible to fraud or theft.
Users of mobile wallets can now access additional security measures, including:
- Two-factor authentication
- Multi-factor authentication
- Biometric authentication (fingerprints, retina scans, or face ID)
Tools for locating people
Due to the non-portability of the gadgets, location tracking options for e-commerce sales are limited. However, m-commerce applications may locate users by utilizing WiFi and GPS technology.
As a result, mobile commerce apps can provide customers unique product recommendations and items that are particular to their area. Push alerts, for instance, can enable neighborhood retailers to provide tailored discounts to certain clients in niche markets.
The future of m-commerce
In 2023, it’s estimated that 8% of all retail transactions will take place through a mobile device. That number is predicted to exceed 10% by 2025. Shoppers use mobile devices to inform their purchasing decisions. Plus, increasing numbers of retailers are launching mobile apps.
