In a world where technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the way we shop is undergoing a revolutionary transformation. One of the most exciting and rapidly evolving trends in the realm of ecommerce is ‘voice commerce’.
Imagine a future where you can shop for your favourite products without lifting a finger, quite literally. Welcome to the world of voice commerce – an innovative approach to shopping that is changing the way we interact with brands and make purchases digitally.
Understanding voice commerce
Voice commerce, also known as v-commerce or conversational commerce, refers to the use of voice-activated devices and technologies to facilitate online shopping. This technology leverages natural language processing (NLP) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable seamless interactions between consumers and virtual assistants. We are sure nearly all of you have access to a form of voice commerce right in your own homes through Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple's Siri, and more. With a simple voice command, you can search for products, add items to your cart, and even complete purchases.
The rise of voice commerce
The rise of voice commerce can be attributed to the increasing prevalence of smart speakers and voice-enabled devices in our homes and lives. According to a report by Adobe Analytics, nearly a quarter of U.S. households owned a smart speaker by the end of 2020 and this number was only expected to increase. This trend signifies a fundamental shift in consumer behaviour, as people are becoming more comfortable using voice commands to accomplish tasks ranging from setting reminders to, you guessed it, shopping.
The number of digital voice assistants in use worldwide is estimated to reach 8.4 billion by 2024.
Statista
Benefits of voice commerce
1. Convenience
Voice commerce offers unparalleled convenience. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen, getting ready in the morning, or simply relaxing on the couch, you can effortlessly add items to your shopping list or reorder your favourite products using voice commands.
2. Speed and efficiency:
With voice commerce, the shopping process becomes faster and more efficient. No more typing on small screens or navigating through menus. Just tell your virtual assistant what you need, and it's done.
3. Accessibility
Voice commerce extends accessibility to a wider audience, including people with disabilities or those who may have difficulty using traditional interfaces.
4. Personalisation
Virtual assistants can learn about your preferences and shopping habits over time, enabling them to provide personalised product recommendations and offers tailored to your needs.
5. Multitasking
Voice commerce allows you to multitask effortlessly. You can shop while you're busy with other activities, making it a seamless part of your daily routine.
Challenges of voice commerce
While voice commerce holds great promise, it's not without its challenges:
1. Security and privacy
As with any technology involving personal data and financial transactions, security and privacy are critical concerns. Ensuring secure transactions and protecting user data is paramount.
2. Accuracy and understanding
Natural language processing is improving rapidly, but there can still be instances where virtual assistants misinterpret commands or struggle with accents and dialects.
3. Visual element
Some products require a visual evaluation before purchase, such as selecting produce or assessing clothing styles. Voice commerce needs to find innovative ways to address this limitation.
More than 100 million devices that run Alexa have been sold to date.
Amazon
The future of voice commerce
The future of voice commerce is incredibly promising. As AI and NLP technologies continue to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated and intuitive interactions with our devices. Imagine having a virtual shopping assistant that not only understands your voice commands but also engages in meaningful conversations, understands context, and offers real-time assistance.
Voice commerce could extend beyond smart speakers in the near distance future and become an integral part of other devices, such as smart TVs, connected cars, and wearable devices. Brands will likely invest more in optimising their online stores for voice search, ensuring that their products are discoverable and easily accessible through voice-enabled platforms, and so much more.
Voice commerce represents a transformative shift in the way we shop and interact with brands. Its convenience, speed, and potential for personalisation make it an exciting frontier in the ecommerce landscape. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect voice commerce to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of shopping and we are excited to see what’s next.
27% of the global online population is using voice search on mobile.
Whether you're intrigued by the idea of shopping through a simple spoken command or you're excited about the possibilities of AI-driven interactions, voice commerce is a trend that's here to stay – and it's only getting started. So, the next time you're in the mood to shop, don't be surprised if you find yourself saying, "Hey, virtual assistant, add so that item to my shopping cart!"
If you have any questions around how you could optimise your ecommerce website, through voice commerce or something else, then get in touch. Our door is always open!
We excel at looking at the broader picture, seeing where ecommerce fits in with our consultant hats on; providing the kind of strategic and creative growth that helps businesses achieve all of their goals, not just clicks.
