Ecommerce automation goes way beyond having just a website and a decent shopping cart system. In fact, it’s all about the whole online journey of your customers’ order experience. Namely, from the initial click to the moment their order arrives at their doorstep. Increasingly, ecommerce tech plays a huge role in managing and monitoring each step of completing customer orders. Indeed, ecommerce automation involves handling inventory, processing orders, taking care of shipping, and ensuring top-notch customer service. By embracing ecommerce automation, businesses can streamline their workflows, cut costs, and increase customer satisfaction. Check out these 8 top trends in the world of ecommerce automation!

1. Cloud-Based Ecommerce Automation and Software Platforms To Integrate Workflows.

First, cloud-based ecommerce software platforms simplify business operations by integrating workflows and third-party applications seamlessly. Platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and BigCommerce act as central hubs for software integration, enabling businesses to manage inventory, process orders, and connect with essential tools like accounting systems and CRM software efficiently. Shopify, for example, offers automated workflow solutions across online stores and connected apps, boosting overall efficiency.

Also, ecommerce automation and integration systems, such as Webgility further enhance operational efficiency by connecting with other cloud-based platforms. For instance, Webgility integrates with all major online marketplaces . Moreover, these ecommerce solutions continue to expand their capabilities, offering advanced features such as automated pricing, real-time inventory tracking, sales monitoring, fraud prevention, sophisticated marketing tools, and comprehensive customer engagement management.

2. Customer-Facing Chatbots: Ecommerce Automation to Supercharge the User Experience.

Ecommerce Chatbot Examples: 11 Ways That Successful Businesses Can Actually Secure Results

In this case, businesses can use AI-powered chatbots to provide instant customer support and personalized recommendations. To explain, there are companies like Sephora that are using chatbots within their web-based and apps’ user interfaces to help customers find the right products based on their preferences. Other examples, include AI-powered chatbots developed by LivePerson or Zendesk that can handle routine customer queries. As a result, this frees up human agents to focus on more complex issues.

For more details customer-facing chatbots, see my article, Ecommerce Chatbot Examples: The 11 Ways That Successful Businesses Can Actually Secure Results.

3. Customers Using Ecommerce Features Within Leading AI Large Language Models (LLM).

In this case, this is a new capability where customers use ecommerce features within leading AI Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. For example, OpenAI has introduced an “Instant Checkout” feature that enables users to make purchases directly within ChatGPT. When a user asks a shopping-related question, ChatGPT responds with product suggestions and allows users to click a “Buy” button to complete their purchase without leaving the chat interface. This feature is powered by the Agentic Commerce Protocol, an emerging payment standard. Initially this roll out is with Etsy sellers and soon to include over a million Shopify merchants. This innovation has the potential to transform the ecommerce landscape and challenge traditional Google search advertising. Click here for more details.

4. Mobile Wallets and Seamless Payments: Omnichannel Payments To Increase Sales.

Undeniably, mobile wallets and seamless payment options have become increasingly popular in ecommerce. To explain, these payment methods enable customers to make purchases conveniently across multiple channels. Specifically, this can include mobile devices, websites, and physical stores. For example, Apple Pay and Google Pay offer mobile wallets that provide secure and quick payment options for customers. For details, see my article, 14 New EFT Payment Technology Trends In The FinTech Industry.

14 New EFT Payment Technology Trends In The FinTech Industry

5. API-Driven Headless Ecommerce Enabling Omnichannel Retailing And Personalized Customer Experience.

Headless Ecommerce Fundamentals: Ways It Is Changing Supply Chain Tech

Without a doubt, Headless Ecommerce is transforming online shopping by decoupling the visual user interface from the underlying business mechanics through an API-driven approach. As a result, this separation enables businesses to interact with shoppers across multiple sales channels, including websites, social media, mobile, and IoT devices. At the same time, Headless Ecommerce provides unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and opportunities for personalization. As a result, businesses can seamlessly enable omnichannel retailing, enhancing their overall ecommerce capabilities. For more details, see my article, Headless Ecommerce Fundamentals: Ways It Is Changing Supply Chain Tech.

6. Advanced Data Analytics: More than Business Intelligence (BI) for Data-driven Insights.

Without a doubt, data analytics continues to expand its capability to help businesses leverage data to make smart decisions and take effective action. In fact for ecommerce businesses, mastering data analytics is crucial for survival. Further, today’s data analytics is a lot more than just generating Business Intelligence (BI) reports or dashboards. Specifically, there are six distinct types of data analytics used in logistics and ecommerce. Moreover, these distinct analytics types help answer key questions for decision-makers to take action to improve their operations. These include:

Data Analytics Types

A Data Analytics Perspective To Better Empower Supply Chain Managers

• Descriptive Data Analytics: What Happened?
• Diagnostic Data Analytics: Why This Happen?
• Predictive Data Analytics: What Is Most Likely To Happen?
• Prescriptive Data Analytics: What Action Should We Take?
• Real-Time Analytics: What Do I Do Now?
• Cognitive AI Analytics: What Questions Did I Not Know to Ask?

As a result, these analytics tools help businesses track key performance indicators (KPIs), analyze customer behavior, and make data-informed decisions. For more details, see my article, A Data Analytics Perspective To Better Empower Supply Chain Managers.

7. Intelligent Robotics To Streamline Order Fulfillment.

Warehouse Robots – 9 Types Of Truly Revolutionary Smart Robotics That You Need To Know About

 Increasingly, businesses are using intelligent robotics to streamline order fulfillment processes in ecommerce. In fact, intelligent robots can automate most order fulfillment tasks such as picking, packing, and sorting products in warehouses. As a result, this reduces human labor costs and improves efficiency. As an example, companies like Amazon have implemented hundreds of thousands of robots in their fulfillment centers to expedite order processing. According to Gartner, in the near future 75% of large enterprises will move products using smart robots. This includes deploying robots to support warehousing and order fulfillment operations. For more on intelligent robots in logistics, see my article, Warehouse Robots – 9 Types Of Truly Revolutionary Smart Robotics That You Need To Know About.

8. Fast and Flexible Delivery Options Powered By Ecommerce Automation.

Advice On The Right Ecommerce Delivery Speed Options That Will Make Your Customers Rave

Lastly, ecommerce and final-mile automation is empowering businesses to provide fast and flexible delivery options to their customers. As a result, businesses are able to optimize their delivery processes, track shipments in real-time, and offer various delivery options such as same-day or next-day delivery.

For instance, companies like Amazon have implemented automated sorting and routing systems in their warehouses to ensure efficient order fulfillment and timely deliveries. Further, companies like Instacart can provide grocery delivery within a few hours of placing an order.  In fact, this automation not only enhances the customer experience but also helps businesses stay competitive in the fast-paced ecommerce landscape. For more details on ecommerce delivery options, see my article, Advice On The Right Ecommerce Delivery Speed Options That Will Make Your Customers Rave.

More References.

For more information on trending ecommerce automation, see below:

• Gargias’ What is Ecommerce Automation? Everything You Need to Know
• Statrys’ What is Ecommerce Automation? How it Works & Benefits
• StyleIntelligence’s Market Report: e-Grocery Infrastructure 2023 for ecommerce trends for the online grocery business.
• Logistics Technology Trends: The Best Advice To Empower Your Supply Chain Right

Logistics Technology 2024 Trends: The Best Advice To Empower Your Supply Chain Right

For more from SC Tech Insights, see the latest articles on Ecommerce and Information Technology.

Need help with an innovative supply chain solution that leverages emerging information technologies? I’m Randy McClure, and I’ve spent many years helping logistics organizations to make the most of new information technologies. As a supply chain tech advisor, I’ve implemented hundreds of successful projects across all transportation modes, working with the data of thousands of shippers, carriers, and 3rd party logistics (3PL) providers. I specialize in new strategies, proof-of-concepts and operational pilot projects using emerging technologies and methodologies. If you’re ready to supercharge your supply chain or if you are a solution provider, let’s talk. To reach me, click here to access my contact form or you can find me on LinkedIn.