Prediction posts are clearly the preserve of overly confident experts puffed up with their own self-importance who believe that other people care about what they think.
So on the last day of 2016, here are mine..
One-to-One Selling
Most transactional sites have a form of chat. With the inexorable rise of messenger apps, chat based transactions will accelerate and cross more platforms. Facebook Messenger and Whatsapp are already rolling out in stream payments, something Chinese platforms have had for years. Consumers will expect instant response to their questions and will reward retailers with a transaction. This speed gives smaller, agile players a huge advantage over the big monoliths.
Personalisation++
The unique user experience will go deeper and deeper across every digital and physical platform. Brands will try and anticipate a consumers needs earlier and earlier. Often they will go to far and make it feel creepy. Only businesses with a deep understanding of their market will be able to cut through the noise.
Everyone is a media company
This is true now but will accelerate. Business’ opportunities to create and amplify content have never been stronger. The challenge with the barriers to entry being so low is there is more content than ever before. Transparency and authenticity will win over pure volume.
Services become products become services
Subscribe will become the new Buy Now button. Consumers have shown their willingness to subscribe to a large number of digital products and this will accelerate with physical products. Razors, meals, contact lenses, beauty are all established. This will prove challenging for many who tackle it as they will need expertise to keep customers rather than just acquire them.
Tiny Little Massive Niche
Trying to compete with the Amazon’s of this world on range, pricing and delivery is fruitless. Businesses with only a single product or service have proved they can grow faster and more profitably by hyper-focus. Expect to see more obscure niche products and services carving out a niche and being the number one player and defining the market. Winner takes all is real.
What a time to be alive.
Limitless opportunities, breakneck pace of change. How jolly exciting.
If you want to make 2017 YOUR year we need to speak:
http://jameskempco.wpengine.com/schedule/
