5 More Small Business Trends for 2024

In a recent article, we went over five small business trends for 2024, including the increasing use of AI, the value of sustainable practices, and the importance of online communities in building brand loyalty. But there’s still more ground to cover. Here are 5 more trends you can expect to see in small businesses in 2024.

Mobile marketing

Customers seem to be using their phones to make purchases more than ever, which is why brands are starting to adopt a mobile-first approach to their user experience. This means making sure your mobile checkout can easily connect with a one-click payment such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or Zelle. This fast payment option, in addition to integrating facial recognition and fingerprint technology, will speed up the mobile checkout process and reflect positively on your brand. Consider creating your own app as well, to enable features like simple reorder generation and rewards points that will impress your customers and help build brand loyalty.

Omnichannel marketing platform

Ecommerce experts say to meet your customers where they are, but the problem is that they’re all over the place. It can require a lot of manual labor to keep track of Instagram, Meta, WhatsApp, TikTok, Shopify, and the many other platforms on which customers buy your products. Despite this, you need to be available on all of these platforms if you want to capture all possible revenue. The solution is using a centralized omnichannel marketing platform.

Using an omnichannel messaging API like MessageBird will centralize all of your sales and inquiries on one platform, making it easy to keep track of large volumes of transaction data. These platforms often provide a standardized automated chatbot across all platforms as well to keep your branding consistent.

Cybersecurity

With AI threats on the rise, cybersecurity has become more important than ever. Experts say the weakest link in cybersecurity is people, which is why a big part of our cybersecurity program should consist of training for employees. Teach your staff to avoid phishing scams and to follow best practices to keep your company’s and employee’s data safe. In addition to this, make sure you have a plan in place in the event of a cybersecurity attack. The last thing you want is to fall victim to ransomware and see all of your hard-earned revenue stolen from you.

Subscription commerce

Companies are starting to rely more heavily on a subscription-based model of business, and you should consider it too. Subscriptions are becoming more commonly accepted by customers and provide reliable income for businesses. Offer discounts for opting for a subscription to encourage your customers to sign up, as well as bundling discounts to upsell other products. Subscription shopping can be fun for customers, so make the most of that for your small business.

Third party logistics providers (3PLs)

As your business grows and your shipping volume increases, consider using a third party logistics provider (3PL). A 3PL will simplify your order fulfillment and freight needs so you can focus on growing your business in other ways. Avoid this step when your shipping needs are still manageable, but don’t hesitate to take it when your logistics start to become too time-consuming.

2024 can be a great year for small businesses if you keep up with the most current industry trends. Stay prepared and vigilant, and check out our blog for more tips on running a small business.