The health and wellness industry is increasing. From organic food and supplements to fitness equipment and natural beauty supplies, countless online stores now specialize in these products.
And thanks to a strong economy, consumers are willing to spend money on these products and services. That’s why e-commerce is the future of self-care.
Convenience:
Whether looking for supplements, beauty products, fitness trackers, or immune support, online health and wellness shoppers want to find exactly what they need with ease. With the coronavirus pandemic still impacting people worldwide, many consumers are consciously taking better care of themselves and seeking ways to live healthier lives. As a result, there is a massive demand for health and wellness products and services.
And with the growth of online shopping, brands selling these products and services have a unique opportunity to reach consumers at scale. But with this, increased flexibility comes new challenges for businesses attempting to meet these consumer needs.
One of health and wellness e-commerce brands’ most significant challenges is building trust and credibility with their consumers. Consumers are more intelligent than ever and will need facts and science behind their products to feel confident in their purchase decisions. And while this is a challenge every business faces, health and wellness companies need to address it to build loyalty with their audience.
Save Money:
Whether skincare products, beauty splurges, fitness gear, or nutritional supplements, they spend money on health and wellness. This is a vast and growing category, so it’s no surprise that many consumers are eager to buy products that make their lives healthier and happier at an affordable price.
The e-commerce health and wellness market is already crowded, but there’s still plenty of room for challenger brands to succeed. By choosing a unique niche and offering an innovative product, a digital-only brand can create a successful business and help its customers stay healthy for the long haul.
Health and wellness products are available in a variety of channels, but there is one type of retailer that consumers prefer for particular items. For example, brick-and-mortar retailers are famous for perishables such as fresh produce and deli foods. Meanwhile, online shopping is best for buying non-perishable items like vitamins and supplements. Knowing your customer’s habits can help you decide the best product and service channel.
Save Time:
Health and wellness brands are taking advantage of e-commerce opportunities in unique ways. For example, they are creating pop-up shops to introduce their curated products in experiential practices, bringing the brand experience to consumers where they live and work.
They’re also offering recurring delivery options, a great way to increase customer loyalty. Plus, online shoppers can shop for a more comprehensive selection of health and wellness products than they might find at their local stores.
As a result, health and wellness brands are positioned to profit from a rise in personal care and wellness e-commerce sales. However, these digital-only businesses need to be careful about counterfeit products. Counterfeit products are a severe problem in the wellness industry, leading to bad reviews that negatively impact customers’ loyalty and trust in their brands.
To help prevent this, many wellness brands hire medical professionals or other appraisers to verify the authenticity of their products. This adds cost to the business but can help protect against product fraud and keep the customer happy.
Find the Right Product:
The internet has countless online health and wellness products offered by retailers like Vitacost, from organic food and supplements to workout equipment and natural beauty supplies. With so many options, shoppers can easily compare prices and product details across multiple websites to find exactly what they need. This can be especially helpful for consumers shopping based on specific lifestyle and dietary needs, such as vegan or gluten-free.
For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, reading reviews from other users who have used the same diet or exercise regimen may be helpful. This lets you better understand whether these products effectively meet your goals.
Retailers must ensure their product pages contain relevant information to deliver an optimal online experience for consumers shopping based on lifestyle and dietary preferences. This includes listing the problem that a product solves, its benefits, ingredients, and more. These details should be easily accessible to consumers on both desktop and mobile. This can help them make the best decision about which product to purchase.
Personalized Experience:
For many, health and wellness products are integral to their daily routines. From personal care to supplements and nutrition, consumers are looking for a personalized experience. As such, brands that understand this trend are well-positioned to capture new revenue opportunities and grow their market share.
The market is becoming increasingly competitive, with many wellness products and services available online. Companies must stand out from the crowd and deliver a seamless shopping experience. To do so, they must provide a wide selection of products and a robust platform that’s easy to use on desktop, mobile, and other devices.
For example, if you offer a subscription service that delivers organic chef-made meals to help consumers lose weight and build muscle, your site and app should reflect these unique attributes. By providing a customized shopping experience, you can convert more shoppers into customers and build loyalty for your brand. Most consumers say they’re more likely to buy when a brand offers personalized experiences.
