How Voice Search is Reshaping the Industry of Ecommerce

Usually, you have to type your queries manually when using any mobile app. But with the introduction of the voice search feature, you can easily place your query orally to obtain the desired search result. Presently, 20.5% of the global population is actively using the voice search option. In the United States alone, over 153.5 million people prefer voice search, where Siri is leading the market with an active user base of 86.5 million (Demand Sage). It will be more interesting to know about:

The Evolution of the Voice Search Technology

The emergence of voice search technology can be traced back to the creation of the first speech recognition system, Audrey. It was developed by Bell Laboratories in 1952 and could identify spoken digits from 0 to 9. In the 1960s and 1970s, work on voice search technology gained prominence with the introduction of IBM’s Shoebox and DARPA’s Harpy Speech Recognition System. During the 1980s and 1990s, some improvements happened to this game-changing technology with the arrival of Dragon Dictate.

However, the remarkable progress in voice optimization technology happened in 2000. The widespread adoption of new-age technologies like AI and machine learning has widened the possibility for refining the oral search quality. At the same time, it has also given rise to the trend of voice-activated shopping. This eventually resulted in the introduction of the first accessible voice search and shopping feature called Siri in 2010. This was launched by Apple Inc. and integrated into the flagship product iPhone in 2011.

Apple’s success has inspired another tech giant, Google, which also launched its own virtual voice assistant known as Google Now back in 2012. Subsequently, leading tech firms like Microsoft and Amazon launched their own voice assistants, like Cortana and Alexa, in 2014.

Now!

We will discuss:

What are the Transformative Impacts of Voice Search in Ecommerce?

Right now, there are over 28 million ecommerce platforms in the world. So, to make your online store a top choice for global customers, you need to deploy features like voice search under the guidance of an experienced app development company. Integrating voice search optimization into your online store will ensure dividends like:

• Better Customer Experience

73% of customers consider experience as a major factor that influences their purchasing decision. They are ready to pay more if they find comfort and convenience from an online store. For this reason, you should add the voice search feature. This will allow your customers to easily look for the desired products when they utter the search query orally. With this feature, they will also be able to explore other features of your ecommerce app without manual navigation.

• Real-time Recommendations

Integrating voice search in your ecommerce app will also allow you to maximize the online shopping choice of your customers with tailored recommendations. 82% of customers reported that customization often influences their brand choice. Equipped with AI and Machine Learning, a voice assistant analyzes your customers’ past shopping habits and product choices.

This allows it to provide them with customized suggestions in response to their search queries. But to ensure the smooth incorporation of voice search functionality, you should proceed with an experienced app development company.

• Increased Accessibility

Today 51% of people use voice search either for online shopping or product research. Hence, to boost your customer reach and market position, implementing the voice optimization technology is not just an option but an essential step to stay ahead in the global competition. It shall also enable people with special needs to choose your e-commerce platform over other brands, which eventually improves your market reputation.

• Smooth Reordering

When you add the voice search option, your customers have the option to place reorders frequently and orally to purchase their desired items smoothly. It saves them time and effort to complete the overall purchasing process. When integrating the feature of voice search, you should hire voice app developers to optimize your customers’ online shopping choices to the next level.

• On-Demand Assistance

Installing the voice search optimization feature also enables your users to obtain immediate answers to their queries 24/7. It also directs them to relevant sources or channels to share feedback or grievances smoothly. As the owner of an ecommerce platform, integrating the voice search feature allows you to easily handle distinct queries of multiple customers. This allows you to uphold the trust and credibility of a huge user segment.

• Higher Conversion Rate

Deploying a robust voice search facility into your ecommerce platform will not only transform your users into loyal customers but will also raise the overall conversion rate above 30%. This eventually makes your investment worthy with a robust dividend. But to accomplish this objective, you should seek a high-end voice commerce app development solution.

When discussing notable impacts of voice search in ecommerce, we will also not miss the opportunity to throw light on:

Some Voice Search Use Cases in Ecommerce

Many recognized brands have reaped immense dividends from the wise implementation of the voice search feature. Let us have a thorough look to find out what they have implemented to evolve the online shopping habits of customers.

• Walmart

This retail giant has changed the landscape of online shopping with the proper use of this voice optimization feature. In collaboration with the tech giant Google, Walmart has brought out a virtual shopping assistant known as Walmart Voice Order. Similarly, this firm also launched another virtual assistant, Ask Sam, to enhance the digital shopping experience of customers worldwide. Both these virtual products offer privileges like adding items to the shopping cart, generating shopping lists, placing reorders, and initiating the final checkout process through voice commands.

• Sephora

As an established brand in the beauty industry, Sephora has also engaged and captivated its target audience with the introduction of its voice assistant app, Sephora Voice. This virtual assistant is compatible with Apple HomePod, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. It enables customers with benefits like obtaining product information, booking a beauty appointment, accessing makeup tutorials, and so on, just by uttering oral commands.

• Domino’s

Domino’s is a recognized pizza delivery brand that has also successfully implemented the voice search feature. Its Dom voice assistant has allowed customers to place their delivery orders orally without navigating the app manually. This has boosted the company’s sales and revenue figures within a shorter duration.

•  Amazon  

With the introduction of the virtual assistant Alexa and smart speakers like the Echo, Amazon has massively transformed the voice shopping experience of its customers to a new level. Using these two products, users not only look for their desired products but also place orders, reorder items, seek immediate response to distinct queries, and check previous order status through placing requests orally.

• Nike

This reputed sports apparel brand first introduced the voice assistant feature for its customers strategically in collaboration with Google during an NBA tournament. Back in 2019, Nike had partnered with Google to deliver the first-ever voice-activated shopping experience for its newly launched Adapt BB sneaker brand. Under this campaign, spectators at the sports venue were encouraged to purchase these shoes using the Google Assistant platform during the match’s halftime. The outcome was amazing. It had resulted in the massive sale of the newly launched shoe product within 6 seconds.

Voice Search Optimization- Ushering in a New Era of Online Shopping

Integrating voice assistant capabilities into your eCommerce platform can significantly enhance your brand’s value. This feature will not only drive higher user engagement and boost revenue but also enable you to address customer queries and concerns instantly. As consumer preference for voice search continues to rise, offering this functionality can strengthen your digital store’s global reputation and accessibility. When you partner with a trusted app development company like Red Apple Technologies, it will ensure an expert implementation of the voice assistant feature and other ecommerce features. This will help you stay ahead in the competitive market landscape throughout the year.

For over a decade, we have been serving clients in the e-commerce segment with cutting-edge solutions. From incorporating secure payment gateways to adding features like voice search, we reshape your ecommerce shopping with changing technologies. Besides, we also help you with tasks like tech stack integration, app modernization, and other services to future-proof your ecommerce business. Blending innovation with robust execution, we make sure that you can deliver a seamless, next-gen shopping experience throughout the year.

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