To stay competitive and relevant, retailers need to actively monitor the latest trends in ecommerce software and other offerings that will keep shoppers visiting their websites and making purchases. The ecommerce marketplace is growing more competitive as consumer interest in online shopping increases around the globe. Tried and true methods for success from past years may now be outdated, but online retailers can make changes to revamp their ecommerce stores and make them more appealing to the modern consumer. Here are a few of the latest trends in online shopping and how online merchants can take advantage of them.

It's all about the experience
With so many ecommerce websites these days, standing out from the crowd is crucial, and giving users a unique experience can help. Ventureburn reported that the design of a website can make or break a sale, but that takes into account more than just the way it looks. The site should be laid out in a logical way that makes it easy for consumers to browse through your inventory, select items and get to the point of sale. Not only will this interface help improve brand awareness and keep customers coming back for more, but it can bolster sales, as many consumers will be willing to pay more for the option to customize their items.

Add a personal touch to every sale
Going online to make a purchase may be almost mindless to some shoppers by now, but The Week suggested a way for ecommerce merchants to mix things up. Personalization is one of the major trends of 2014, as more and more retailers are giving their patrons the ability to customize their items. This not only makes the shopping experience more interactive and enjoyable, but it leaves the shopper with a product that was actually designed just for them.

Customers love a little variety
Cornering a niche market by selling a select set of items can be successful, but offering an array of products has many advantages as well. Ventureburn pointed to a December 2013 study called the Effective Measure Report, which revealed that nearly half of shoppers would buy more if an online store had more quality products to choose from. This strategy can work no matter what you're selling. Luxury shops that specialize in jewelry, for instance, could expand their offerings to include other accessories that customers buying their main products might also like to purchase.