Many consumers are still freaked out about being retargeted by their searches. The ‘ole, “I searched for a home workout machine once, and now I am seeing ads for it everywhere.”
What should scare you more is that Google Ads introduced retargeting 13 years ago! Since then (in 2010), technology and marketing advances have been vast and incredible. Online retailers should embrace the power of new technology rather than be intimidated by it. We recommend e-commerce businesses dip their toes in the latest technology like automation, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality (VR). By implementing these new technologies, companies can supercharge their online sales and create a more convenient shopping experience for consumers.
Automation:
Automation uses computer software and hardware to perform tasks without human intervention. But what does that look like for the e-commerce marketplace? Well, you’ve likely seen them when you’ve shopped online, so why not take advantage of them?
Here are a few that consumers love:
- Shopping Cart Automation: Shopify
- Social Media Automation: Hootsuite
- Automated Loyalty Programs: act-on
- Email Automation: Hubspot
These automation systems can help make online shopping smoother and faster for customers while saving businesses time and money. Businesses can focus human resources on more critical projects by automating repetitive tasks and creating better customer experiences.
AI – Chatbots:
An AI chatbot is a computer program that is built to simulate a human conversation. It uses natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to understand what the user is asking and then provide an appropriate response. AI chatbots are increasingly being used in customer service, marketing, and other areas where they can quickly answer questions, address customer concerns, and provide helpful information. They can also automate tedious tasks that would otherwise require a human. AI chatbots are helping businesses improve customer service, increase efficiency, and save money. As technology continues to develop, more and more companies are taking advantage of AI chatbot technologies in their operations.
How Chatbots Can benefit Online Shopping:
- Increased Customer Engagement
- Automated Support
- Upsell and Cross-sell
- Improved Analytics
- 24/7 Availability
AI Chatbots are one of the latest technological advancements businesses are starting to invest in. Chatbots are programs that can mimic human conversation, and they’re becoming more and more common as customer service tools.
Virtual Reality
VR has opened up a whole new world for e-commerce by allowing customers to experience products in an immersive way from the comfort of their homes. For example, VR can be used by clothing retailers so customers can virtually try on items before making a purchase decision. According to research conducted by Accenture, 75% of consumers said that experiencing a product through virtual reality would make them more likely to buy it online.
Here are some suggestions for using VR online:
- Design Simulations
- 360-degree product views
- Immersive shopping experiences
- Virtual product try-on
- Guided shopping experience
Overall, virtual reality technology is transforming how customers shop online and providing a more immersive experience. By leveraging this technology, retailers can create a unique shopping experience that stands out from the competition and encourages customers to purchase products faster and more frequently. Ultimately, it builds consumer trust with the products and companies they purchase from.
The Present Benefits:
The benefits of using new technology in e-commerce are clear. According to a survey by Salesforce, 87% of consumers said that the ability to use new technologies would make them more likely to shop with a particular brand. In addition, businesses that embrace these technologies will have the edge over their competitors as customers become more demanding and tech-savvy.
The Future Benefits:
In the future, we expect to see even more technological advances used in e-commerce. For example, voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home could be incorporated into shopping experiences so customers can get product recommendations or information by talking. Augmented reality (AR) is another technology that could be used in e-commerce to allow customers to try on items or view product demonstrations virtually.
The potential for using technology to help power e-commerce businesses is something we are only just beginning to understand. It’s full of exciting possibilities, whether collecting data or creating something new or disruptive that changes the industry entirely. Make sure you read up on this area – there’s still so much more to discover! This article has presented a brief overview of what’s available now, what may be available soon, and how it can help power your e-commerce team – but if you want further insight into these topics, then look around online and read various sources. And don’t forget to check out our website – lots of great tips and tricks on how to make the most of technology in your business. Read more here!
