Best Search Functions in Fashion Online Website

"Past 2022, brick-and-mortar retail spaces will be little more than showrooms," wrote BigCommerce co-founders Eddie Machaalani and Mitchell Harper — and that was dorsum in 2013.

Today, their prediction even so rings true. Concrete stores are no longer the only mode that shoppers are interacting with brands, peculiarly manner retailers. As shoppers increasingly wait mobile purchasing, 1-day shipping and 24/7 customer support, way retailers are redesigning the unabridged shopping feel.

Luckily, the fashion industry is already a primary of alter, with seasonal trends coming and going before you can even take a breath. However, the fashion world'south digital transformation may be its greatest change yet.

From larger luxury brands like Reebok to smaller names like Mod Vintage Boutique, retailers across the manufacture are tailoring their ecommerce strategies to attract customers and adapt to the evolving mural.

Fashion Ecommerce Trends and Statistics

When styling your own fashion ecommerce strategy, it'southward key to empathize the electric current country of the ecommerce way industry besides as where it'due south heading.

Looking to 2022 and beyond, we've highlighted some of the fundamental trends and statistics shaping the online mode industry and how they may help strengthen your ecommerce business organization strategy.

From ecommerce integrations to omnichannel selling, these trends are paving the mode for a new approach to online fashion.

1. Style ecommerce continues to grow.

The by few years have undoubtedly accelerated the manner manufacture's digital transformation.

According to Statista, in 2020, fashion ecommerce sales deemed for near xxx% of the total style retail sales in the U.s.a. and take steadily climbed in annual growth rate since 2003. And in 2021, apparel and accessories will exist the only product category to outpace its 2020 online growth, upwardly 23.one%.

But the future looks even brighter for manner ecommerce. Looking alee, online sales will account for 24% of total way market revenue by 2023, up from 22% in 2021.

With drivers of growth such as digital channels, increased online access through mobile devices and technological innovations, it's no wonder that the online fashion marketplace has skyrocketed.

With this trajectory in mind, ecommerce brands take the opportunity to maximize their growth and take reward of revenue potential.

2. Fashion is adapting to the COVID world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only presented a global wellness crisis but also a harsh blow to the fashion industry. In Europe's apparel sector, wear production decreased past 37% during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, and article of clothing sales fell 43% compared to sales in 2019. This daze echoed beyond the industry, leaving many merchants unsure of how to answer to shifting consumer behaviors.

However, while many wearing apparel brands did take a hit during the pandemic, some online retailers are fending improve than others — particularly those who accept leveraged their ecommerce sites and strengthened their digital strategies. In fact, 47% of fashion retailers have non adjusted their e-commerce strategy since the beginning of the pandemic.

Co-ordinate to McKinsey & Visitor, major ecommerce brands like ASOS, Revolve and Zalando have thrived fifty-fifty during the pandemic, and by August of 2020, "digital-commencement players were trading 35% higher, on average, than they did in December 2019."

Peculiarly as many storefronts remain shuttered, the pandemic is increasingly widening the gap between digitally mature retailers and those who lag backside.

However, while digital leaders in the fashion space may have an reward at present, there is the potential to autumn behind if other competitors upwards their digital capabilities. On the other hand, retailers who are just starting out on their digital journey still have the opportunity to proceeds market share by investing in their digital strategies.

These digital capabilities non only provide boosted sales channels, but also permit for a cheaper, more efficient value concatenation. With improved options for logistics and sales fulfillment, every bit well equally customer conquering and inventory direction, digitization is a powerful tool for improving processes.

Past upping their digital capabilities and investing in their ecommerce strategies, manner retailers accept the opportunity to not merely survive the pandemic, but perhaps even thrive in it.

3. Sustainability and ethical sourcing are key.

The fashion ecommerce industry has likewise seen an increment in shopper advocacy for social justice and environmental resilience.

While green consumerism was already on the ascent before the pandemic, the by year has only amplified the motion toward sustainable practices. The fast fashion industry held a marketplace value of $36 billion in 2019 and will have a projected $43 billion in 2029.

Unfortunately, the fast way manufacture comes with a price tag of environmental effects, including an excessive use of water, the release of harmful chemicals and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, the manufacture has been under scrutiny for social injustice in the supply chain, as reports emerge about underpaid garment workers and unsafe working conditions.

As a result, fashion retailers face up increasing pressure level to not only produce quickly to remain competitive, but to do and so with respect for both their workers and the surround. The pandemic has amplified awareness surrounding environmental and social governance issues, and more and more consumers — and investors — are seeking transparency.

With 57% of Uk and German consumers making "significant changes to their lifestyles" to mitigate their environmental impact, it'southward no surprise that consumers await the same from their favorite fashion brands.

Thus, austerity and secondhand merchandising has become increasingly mainstream. Past renting, reselling and reusing dress, consumers are able to shop both economically and sustainably, rather than purchasing brand new items.

This drive for sustainability tin even exist seen in college end fashion brands. In fact the CFDA (Council of Way Designers of America), which organizes New York Way Week, partnered with Boston Consulting Group to produce "Sustainability past Design: Rethinking New York Fashion Week," a study focusing on ecology issues such as pollution and climate change within the manner industry.

4. Seasonless and genderless promotes longevity.

This growing trend toward sustainability now begs the question, "Do nosotros really need new clothes for every season?" Reverse to the traditional way machine, which churns out new vesture lines every season and new collections for international mode weeks, many fashion brands are taking a step dorsum and only doing less.

French brand Louis Vuitton has chosen to go seasonless for New York Way Week, and Michael Kors fifty-fifty revamped its traditional manner calendar, reducing its production to only two collections per year.

With such big-proper noun brands leading the manner, more and more than manner retailers are focusing on longevity rather than newness. As a result, shoppers are able to save coin, protect the environment and love their wearable longer.

Simply seasonless isn't the only category making moves in the fashion world. In an boosted endeavour to produce less, many players in the industry are also embracing genderless fashion.

A huge step for the LGBTQ+ community, the introduction of unisex/nonbinary clothing lines has opened the door to greater inclusivity and diversity withinin the fashion industry. Considering 41% of Gen Zers identify equally neutral on the gender spectrum, it makes sense that 56% are also shopping outside of their gender — otherwise known as "cross-buying."

In response, many fashion brands are launching genderless collections and casting models all across the gender spectrum in hopes of breaking the barrier between masculine and feminine fashion.

5. Athleisure continues to be a growing segment.

With many consumers still working from home and staying indoors, it'southward no wonder that athleisure has become ane of the fastest growing sectors of the fashion marketplace. Valued at roughly $354 million in 2020, the size of the activewear market is projected to climb past 25 percent by 2026, with women'due south activewear being one of the leading segments.

With this significant growth in mind, it'due south no surprise that activewear brand Lululemon saw a 130% increment in online searches in 2019, and retailers Amazon and Target are now sporting their ain athleisure collections.

As the name suggests, consumers are drawn to athleisure goods for both able-bodied and comfort purposes. Particularly every bit gyms and fitness studios closed during the pandemic, many individuals embraced abode and outdoor workouts, spurring a need for activewear products.

Nonetheless, a 2019 RBC Majuscule Markets' Us survey institute that but 30% of respondents purchased athleisure goods for athletic purposes. With "work-from-home" condign a style of its ain, many shoppers are seeking athleisure products for their comfort, ease and even luxury.

vi. AR and VR create virtual plumbing equipment room experiences.

With the shift toward digital shopping experiences comes the challenge of ensuring that shoppers are completely satisfied with their purchases. Luckily, numerous smart-fitting technologies are aiding the way market place in catering to the needs and wants of its customers.

Some smart-fitting technologies allow customers to find their perfect size by providing their specific measurements, answering a few simple questions or inputting their typical sizes for other brands. The platform then compares product sizes to items that the customer already owns and loves, and using information engineering science, gives the customer size and way recommendations.

Other technologies go beyond this functionality, using 3D technology and augmented reality to prove exactly what a production would look like on the client or a model. By detecting the client'south contour and letting them choose which clothing items they want to try on, AR and VR fitting rooms provide a clear picture of the size, fit and style of a production — all from the client'southward mobile device.

Of course, purchasing whatsoever detail online (especially one that's loftier-cost) may seem risky enough, but purchasing a clothing item without physically trying it on adds a new level of uncertainty. However, augmented and virtual fitting rooms are working to ease the feet and provide shoppers with an experience that matches that of a brick-and-mortar shop.

7. Give personalized recommendations using AI.

Two of the primary reasons for ecommerce are its ease of use and convenience. But now, more fashion ecommerce sites are also harnessing its ability to customize experiences and give shoppers what they want in the shortest corporeality of time. As 43% of purchases are made as a effect of personalized recommendations, it's evident that shoppers are actively seeking online experiences that mimic — or fifty-fifty exceed — those in-store.

Using artificial intelligence and tracking consumer behavior, ecommerce retailers can provide personalized product recommendations based on a customer'south previous purchases, browsing history and situational targeting.

Perchance a shopper clicks on a sweater and scrolls down to find a "You May Too Like" or "Customers Too Viewed" section. Or, perchance they previously browsed through the men'south section on your website, and the next time they render, the homepage features production recommendations for men's apparel.

This AI functionality can even go a footstep further by offering "virtual style assistants." While some of these assistants may exist existent people working behind the scenes to customize shoppers' closets, many are actually automated chatbots.

Mode.ai — a startup that creates chatbots for ecommerce retailers — helped build Levi's Virtual Stylist, which assists shoppers in finding their perfect pair of jeans based on fit, rising and stretch preferences. Additionally, the chatbot feature compares production sizes to the customer's other favorite brands to provide an accurate size and manner recommendation.

8. More than brands are taking an omnichannel selling approach.

Whether they're staying at home, eager to shop in-shop or a mix of both, customers require a holistic, engaging experience across all channels, both online and offline.

You may already be familiar with the term "multichannel commerce," which is a retail strategy for a brand that exists across multiple channels, whether they be a brick-and-mortar store, social media folio, online website or apps. Notwithstanding, these channels may or may not hold a consequent customer experience across all consumer touchpoints. Thus, omnichannel commerce takes the multichannel strategy to the next level by connecting all channels to create a seamless customer experience, which could event in a 33% increase in revenue.

Especially post-pandemic, brands can no longer rely solely on face up-to-face up interactions with customers. With consumers spending more than fourth dimension online during the pandemic and less fourth dimension in-store, fashion retailers must larn how to engage customers across a variety of channels.

One meaning manner that ecommerce mode brands are embracing omnichannel is through social commerce. Peculiarly inside the by year, tools such every bit Instagram Shoppable Posts, Instagram Checkout, Facebook Store, Pinterest for Business and marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and Google have given fashion retailers the ability to achieve customers across a variety of platforms.

Of form, with an abundance of channels comes the potential for customers to go overwhelmed by their options. Equally a event, many shoppers adopt to consult a variety of channels and compare products before making a final purchasing decision.

Since many online shoppers go to search engines first before making a buy, it's key for online fashion retailers to implement stiff SEO practices that will ameliorate their website'south ranking and visibility.

ix. Customers love buy at present, pay later options.

Due to recent supply chain and inventory issues, likewise equally holiday-related sales starting earlier in the flavour, shoppers are more than inclined to shop ahead of time. For early on-bird shoppers, layaway plans used to be the only choice, assuasive customers to reserve items and make payments over time. Yet, fintech startups such as Sezzle, Afterpay, Klarna and Affirm are paving the way for a new type of payment plan: buy now, pay subsequently (BNPL).

BNPL is a deferred payment method that allows shoppers to purchase items with fiddling to no up-front payment and instead pay the remaining balance in a few installments. Compared to layaway plans, BNPL plans accuse piddling to no interest and pose picayune threat to the shopper'due south credit score.

Non merely are these short-term loans easier for way retailers to manage, but they also allow for a more seamless online transaction and user experience. In fact, RBC Capital Markets found that offering a BNPL plan increases retail conversion rates 20% to 30%.

10. Maintain not bad client service.

Possibly it goes without proverb that customer service is, and always will be, cardinal to success. But alluring and retaining loyal customers requires consistency and hard work, particularly in the ecommerce playing field. With an abundance of online manner sites to choose from, shoppers can easily switch from 1 retailer to the adjacent if they aren't receiving the value they expect.

So, how can you consistently provide quality customer service?

First, information technology'south important to always be available. As difficult as it is to piece of work around the clock, customers on various time zones and schedules all the same await support exterior normal working hours.

But if hiring client service reps isn't an option, client back up automation may be the way to get. Artificial intelligence technologies such every bit chatbots, interactive voice response and self-service aid centers are all effective tools to maintain consequent customer service.

Quality client service is also about creating connections and improving relationships with your shoppers, and a great way to practise this is through email marketing. As 1 of the most affordable yet effective channels for communicating with customers, email marketing allows retailers to resolve customer pain points, collect valuable feedback, notify shoppers about deals and new products and appoint customers through personalized content.

Fashion Ecommerce Sites to Watch

With these trends in mind, let's accept a look at some exceptional style brands who are making strides in the ecommerce space. In a highly competitive industry, these mode ecommerce stores stand out from the oversupply by implementing electric current trends and continually strengthening their digital capabilities. Accept notes and learn how yous can do the same.

i. Meet Kai Run.

See Kai Run, a footwear make for first walkers and children, launched its 422 collection in hopes of "taking steps to place actions [they] can take to reduce [their] environmental impact."

The eco-friendly shoe drove uses a majority of recycled, environmentally friendly materials such as recycled sail uppers and eco-friendly elastic laces. Plus, the See Kai Run factories are certified equally Higg Compliant for Responsible Sourcing and have recently been upgraded to "Ameliorate Business" status.

Whether information technology's using eco-friendly materials, donating to social causes, practicing inclusive marketing or organizing supplier diversity programs, customers seek out brands that are driven by a greater purpose.

2. Réalisation Par.

Way brand Réalisation Par, founded by Alexandra Spencer and Teale Talbot, gears its online store toward social media platforms. Its Instagram profile features mainstream and micro-influencer marketing, compelling visuals, shoppable posts as well equally curated Spotify playlists that aid bring the brand to life.

Réalisation Par also expands its reach to Facebook, which lets customers browse products and easily migrate to the website to make purchases.

The seamless flow from channel to aqueduct allows customers to find what they're looking for — wherever they are — and relish an integrated, seamless experience.

3. Natori.

A New York-based wearing apparel, lingerie and jewelry brand, Natori offers an online experience that feels luxurious and sophisticated. With beautiful photography, multiple product views and detailed product descriptions, shoppers can scan Natori's total collection with ease.

Simply the designer brand's success doesn't just stop at its ecommerce website. Natori's digital capabilities also extend to its social media channels.

Using an artificial intelligence marketing platform called Albert, Natori is able to generate direct responses to customers on social media and decide the nigh relevant and engaging content for its customers. Over time, equally Albert collects more information, the platform becomes increasingly intelligent and continues to refine Natori's content, resulting in increased conversions, revenue and ROI.

4. Jildor Shoes.

Starting as a single, family-owned brick-and-mortar shoe store, Jildor Shoes has expanded to four New York locations and stepped into the ecommerce space in 1999. With over 72 years of service, Jildor Shoes strives to provide customers with "service, selection and reliability."

Jildor'due south online store displays hundreds of product options, organizing them into production pages for "Just Arrived," "Women's," "Bags," "Trends," "Designers" and "Auction," making it piece of cake for shoppers to sift through the large collection. Many products incorporate custom fields for sizes, color and widths, as well every bit client reviews to assistance boost shopper confidence.

five. Revelry.

A "timeless and boho bridesmaid dress" brand, Revelry designs custom, high-quality garments for everyday women. Changing the game of apparel shopping, Carousal offers home attempt-on options, allowing shoppers to endeavour on sample dresses from the comfort of their own homes before landing on a final purchasing conclusion.

With over 100 styles and color swatches, as well as numerous textile collections, Revelry'southward website gives customers the power to customize dresses to their liking and find their personal style. The site even includes "Inspo" boards to aid brides-to-be dream up their wedding mean solar day.

Designing a Memorable Online Shopping Experience

With mode ecommerce brands of all niches and sizes competing for a identify in the spotlight, it tin be overwhelming to uncover merely what information technology is that makes the best brands polish. It isn't merely the luxury brands or the big-name brands that succeed, only the ones that invest in ecommerce strategies to engage their customers and create a compelling user feel.

Here nosotros've highlighted a handful of tactics that the best ecommerce brands have in common:

i. Personalized shopping experiences.

It's one thing to offer a great deal, but it'due south fifty-fifty better if that deal is catered specifically to your customer. Utilizing AI technologies and tracking consumer behavior are incredible tools for creating a customer experience that is unique, personal and consequent.

Present, personalization isn't a rarity, but a norm. And customers don't merely want personalized experiences — they await them, whether that be including the customer'south name in mass emails or tailoring the homepage of your ecommerce website according to their previous search history.

two. Loftier-quality product photography.

Have you ever ordered a piece of clothing online, but when it was finally delivered, the production just didn't look similar the epitome online? Nada is worse than having an astonishing product simply non beingness able to accurately convey it online.

Luckily, height-notch production photography is a huge assistance. The best fashion ecommerce sites make sure to include high-quality visuals, such every bit 360-caste images of each production, multiple bending views, authentic depictions of each color pick and options to zoom in on the intricacies of a product's fabric and pattern.

A recent game-changer has been the inclusion of different size models on fashion dress sites, which feature images of models of diverse heights, shapes and weights. Rather than displaying a photo of a dress on a model in just one size, some style retailers are going in a higher place and across by photographing a variety of sizes for the same commodity of article of clothing.

3. Leverage user-generated content.

What's better than content y'all don't have to create yourself? And meliorate still, it's free?

A great fashion to get feedback on products and boost shopper confidence is through user-generated content. This may be customer reviews on your website, shared customer stories on Instagram or Facebook and photos tagged with your make'southward hashtag.

Considering 72% of consumers get their news from friends and family, it's no wonder that discussion-of-oral cavity marketing is one of the most effective ways to attract and engage shoppers.

4. An enjoyable shopping experience.

Not only do customers desire a shopping experience that is quick and efficient — many of them likewise desire it to be enjoyable! Through friendly designs that evidence off your make's flair and descriptions that give character to your products, y'all can create a customer experience that's both effective and entertaining.

Brand it easy for shoppers to discover their perfect size and fit past implementing smart-plumbing fixtures technologies or by featuring product reviews, which can help build trust and transparency with your customers.

5. Highlight your make and what makes you unique.

In a oversupply of fashion ecommerce brands, information technology can be piece of cake to alloy in with the residuum. But to attract new shoppers and retain old ones, yous need to flaunt what makes your site special!

Effort revamping your Virtually page with an appealing story that creates a personal connectedness with your customers. Or, try selling a specific expect or niche category, such equally vintage, bohemian or activewear.

6. Invite customers to exist office of their community.

Lastly, one of the best ways to create a memorable shopping experience is past inviting customers into your brand community. By creating a rewards or affiliate program or linking your social media platforms to your ecommerce homepage, you can engage with customers on a more than personal level and continue to build brand awareness.

Of course, it's important that you cull the right community platform for your business organisation. It might be Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or even LinkedIn, merely any platform you choose, make sure that you first identify your audience, define your goals and create a consequent brand voice beyond all content.

Conclusion

Needless to say, fashion ecommerce is growing and changing at a staggering charge per unit, and as technologies continue to advance, this rate volition only accelerate. This is heady news for the industry, every bit traditional fashion retailers are now able to aggrandize their accomplish from brick-and-mortar shops to ecommerce sites that reach shoppers across the earth.

Of course, this new opportunity besides comes with considerable challenges, considering the already saturated market place and ever-evolving trends — which come and go and so quickly, it can get dizzying to continue up.

However, by following the atomic number 82 of these online fashion brands and creating an outstanding customer experience, your ecommerce site will be dressed for success.