Getting Clear About Voice Commerce 

Voice commerce is a new type of e-commerce that enables customers to shop and complete transactions using voice-enabled devices such as smart speakers and virtual assistants. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we shop, continuing the trends toward convenience and personalization in a new hands-free format.  

The benefits of voice commerce 

Voice commerce offers several advantages over traditional e-commerce methods, including: 

• Convenience: Customers can shop and make purchases without having to use a keyboard or screen. This kind of hands-free shopping works best when it’s a commonly purchased product or already on a shopping list, since browsing for new items is still a bit beyond this technology for the time being.  

• Personalization: Voice assistants can use customer data to provide personalized recommendations and shopping experiences. They can also predict the timing for refills and replacements or set up subscriptions with notifications. If an item is out of stock, they may be able to provide alternative products.  

• Accessibility: Voice commerce can make shopping more accessible for people with visual impairments or disabilities.

Current challenges and opportunities for growth 

Beyond the minor inconveniences of the new and developing nature of these technologies, voice commerce also faces some more immediate challenges.

Technology adoption is the biggest hindrance, as many consumers do not have smart speakers or make use of any virtual assistants. Privacy concerns are another challenge to overcome regarding voice assistant use. Voice commerce currently has a limited range of products available, another factor which may deter consumers from shopping in this way.  

Though voice commerce is still in its early stages of development, it has the potential to become a disruptive force in the retail industry.

As artificial intelligence technology continues to improve, voice assistants will become more sophisticated and capable of handling more complex interactions. Advancement of these technologies will lead to wider adoption of voice commerce and increased sales through this channel. 

Tips for businesses interested in voice commerce 

It’s clear that currently voice commerce is far from a frictionless experience by nature, but there are a few things you can do to set your business up for success. If you’re a retailer considering entering the realm of voice commerce, here are a few tips: 

• Optimize your product listings for voice search: Use natural language and conversational keywords to make your products easy to find through voice search. 

• Provide clear and concise product descriptions: Voice assistants have limited space to provide product information, so make sure your descriptions are clear and to the point. 

• Offer competitive prices: Voice commerce is still a relatively new channel, so you may need to offer special or introductory pricing to attract new customers. 

• Ensure a seamless checkout process: Minimize the number of steps in your checkout process to make completing the transaction via voice commands as smooth and easy to navigate as possible. 

In summary, voice commerce is a rapidly evolving technology that has the potential to transform the way consumers everywhere shop. By understanding its benefits, challenges, and eventual evolution, retailers can position themselves to take advantage of this exciting new opportunity. 

If you are interested in find out more about voice commerce and understand it from a different perspective, we invite you to read blog post Voice Commerce – Part 1: An online shopping trend getting louder.