Mobile commerce has seen an incredible evolution over the last decade. From the original smartphones to voice commerce, and every small trend in between, staying ahead of mobile commerce trends can feel like an uphill battle. As we kick off the next decade, we're likely to see some impressive changes to this space as mobile technology becomes more seamless.

1. User-Generated Content and Influencer Content – That Loads Fast

Although smartphones are convenient, mobile browsing often leaves a lot to be desired. Finding product information amongst the slew of popups and small text often discourages customers from pursuing a purchase. Even with the emergence of 5G, sites are struggling to keep up. Brands looking to make sales on mobile commerce are turning to information-rich pages that load quickly. With less text, user-generated content helps to fill the gaps most customers find when browsing products online.  In 2020, brands that streamline their mobile experience with high-quality user-generated content will succeed.

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2. Fast Loading Mobile Apps that Work with Voice Search

Similar to web trends, app experiences must also be fast loading and modern. Simply having a native app won't be enough for brands to compete in 2020. And even as developments like 5G and AI improve load speeds for sites and apps, brands need to ensure that their apps are able to keep up. Apps will need to support advanced functions that customers are seeking, like BOPIS, ratings and reviews, and IoT enabled replenishment.

3. Even Faster checkouts & payments

The name of 202o mobile commerce is speed, obviously. Easy checkouts are inevitably impacting conversion rates of mobile commerce. Single-click checkout and payment through digital wallets and cards are proven to improve customer’s buying experience with a brand. Also, a better checkout experience can lead to better sales conversions.

4. AI, AR, and VR Designed with Mobile Commerce in Mind

Innovative technology channels via Artificial Intelligence (AI), including AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality), are shaping shopping experiences for mobile customers. Utilizing AI-empowered smart shopping assistance and AR-VR based virtual shopping sites are hosting progressive features of mobile shopping experiences and lead to more sales. While a lot of these programs are still in nascent stages, a good holdover for AR and VR will be user-generated content that allows shoppers to visualize products as they would be practically used.

5. Chatbots for Instant Response

AI designed live chat support, aka Chatbots are the best integration into mobile commerce and have proven to be a game-changer in terms of customer service and sale conversions. But as technology continues to supplement and scale human interaction on websites, it's important to make sure you're not isolating the customer in the process.

6. Voice Search Assistance

Voice assistants are proving to be the most significant contributing factor for mobile commerce in 2020. Voice search is a popular way to perform searches and buy something on-the-go using mobile devices. Voice search is expected to grow $40 billion by 2022 from $2 billion to date. Changing dynamics with the growth of voice search assistance call for upgrades to traditional strategies. Mobile commerce should be embedded with targeted voice searches and voice-activated commands to improve customer experience in 2020.

7. Mobile Image recognition technology

Just like voice assistants, image recognition software is transforming the way consumers discover new products. In China, this trend has been growing over the past few years through popular apps such as WeChat. In 2020, being able to search for products via mobile image recognition technology will continue to grow. Although right now a lot of this appears in the form of QR codes, image recognition technology will become more sophisticated this year.

These trends all have one core tenet in common: easing the path to purchase for customers by empowering them with knowledge. Whether it's providing user-generated content for consumers to interact with or creating faster and easier user-experiences, the name of the game in 2020 is speed and ease of use.‍

Amanda Jerelyn is a qualified digital marketer and software engineer. She is a single mother, lives with her 2 kids and a dog. Amanda loves to write and currently working as Technical Engineer at Crowd Writer, UK’s exclusive essay service provider.