I head up the e-commerce department at Liquid Rubber, a leading provider of home improvement and DIY water ingress prevention products.
The vibrant DIY (Do-It-Yourself) community is an ever-evolving ecosystem, continually adapting to changing technologies, market dynamics and consumer preferences. And when it comes to home improvements, DIYers are increasingly leveraging digital platforms to meet their needs—some out of sheer convenience of front-door delivery and others due to improved selection and lower prices.
As we chug ahead into the second half of 2023, we’re witnessing a seismic shift in the DIY home improvement sector, with several e-commerce trends emerging and gaining traction. Today, I will delve into the top DIY e-commerce home improvement trends that will shape the industry in 2023 and beyond. I’ve analyzed a wealth of data, market reports and expert insights, curating an authoritative guide for DIY enthusiasts, industry players and leaders alike.
1. Social commerce is revolutionizing the DIY market.
Social media channels have come a long way from their infancy of image and status updates, evolving to more robust marketplaces that range from private sellers to big box stores. This merging of e-commerce and social media forms a handshake transactional process between today’s leading social websites and direct consumers.
The appeal of social commerce—which had an estimated 90 million shoppers in 2021—lies in its capacity to connect brands with a vast, engaged audience. For example, platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest have become hotspots for DIY inspiration, with users sharing unique project ideas, hacks and even useful home decor tips. The innate and interactive nature of these platforms allows brands to foster a sense of community around their products, giving them a unique ability to engage with their audience, gather feedback and insights and provide superior customer service that otherwise wouldn’t be attainable