4 Ways to Leverage the Future of eCommerce Technology

What do we mean by ‘no-frills’ technology?

We’ll be looking at tools and tech that don’t have lengthy implementation times or sky-high costs.

Yes, there’s a place for implementing large-scale technology. But, in this blog, we’re keeping eCommerce tools simple.

1. ChatGPT for eCommerce

Over the past year, everyone has been talking about OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

In fact, ChatGPT reached 100 million users two months after launch. For perspective, it took TikTok nine months to reach the same figure.

Launched in November 2022, ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence language processor. It can generate articles and short stories or even code in various languages. It’s also super intuitive and accessible within your browser.

ChatGPT 3.5 is free to access. However, users can purchase a subscription to ChatGPT-4, OpenAI’s more sophisticated model, with a knowledge cut-off point of January 2022 (so it’s much more up-to-date!). In addition, subscription costs won’t break the bank.

When it comes to eCommerce AI tools, ChatGPT-4 is a game changer and a technology that is already changing eCommerce. In fact, below is just a snippet of a reply from ChatGPT-4 when asked how it will benefit eCommerce:

ChatGPT and SEO

ChatGPT is capable of producing conversational, human-sounding content at the click of a button. However, there are still gaps in its knowledge.

You should fact-check and edit the content it produces. To get the most out of ChatGPT for eCommerce, use natural language, provide plenty of context, and be specific!

That being said, Google has clarified they’re not against AI-generated content. So, your SEO results won’t be penalized for producing AI content on your eCommerce store. However, you should still look to produce high-quality and original content.

2. Social Commerce Tools

Years ago, who’d have thought social media would be used as a lucrative shopfront for your eCommerce business?

Social commerce involves utilizing social media platforms with native eCommerce functions as a storefront. Social media also functions as some of the best eCommerce marketing tools. So, you get the best of both worlds.

Facebook and Instagram Shops

With Meta’s ‘Shops’ functionality, you’re able to showcase and sell products across Facebook and Instagram.

Firstly, Meta makes it easy to connect your Facebook Catalog to Instagram. You should do this to increase the size of your audience and align your brand image across channels. Going omnichannel with Meta is easy!

Shops are configurable in Meta’s Commerce Manager. Here, you add your products and access Facebook’s inventory management tools. In addition, Meta allows you to create a Catalogue to help you manage your items more effectively by creating sets or collections.

By leveraging Meta’s Shops, the teeth-whitening brand Zimba saw an additional 1,2000 incremental orders and a 6.7% increase in average order value from customers who purchased via Shops compared to their website.

Meta makes it simple to create a commerce test account. This means it’s easy to find out what works best for your business before you commit. You should test their order management features and post-purchase support.

TikTok for Business

TikTok is a treasure trove for eCommerce professionals. Leverage its range of tools to access young, tech-savvy shoppers.

TikTok for Business is where to start. The eCommerce platform-connectable solution comes packed with intuitive tools:

• Advertising tools: Boost product visibility and audience reach with in-feed TikTok Ads.
• Creator discovery: Connect with influencers and creators on TikTok and invite them to collaborate to fuel product discovery and brand awareness.

Profile Shopping Tab: Your audience is able to purchase products from your profile, which links straight to checkout. This creates a frictionless shopping experience for your

3. Mobile eCommerce (mCommerce)

Mobile commerce (mCommerce) involves using mobile devices to advertise and sell products and services.

Global mCommerce sales are set to be worth $2.2 trillion in 2023. So, you need to prepare by creating mobile-friendly product pages to convert browsers to buyers.

The ultimate mobile commerce technology is your website. Sure, a flashy mobile phone app would be great. But, realistically, they’re expensive and take time to develop.

Additionally, the mCommerce app space is dominated by retail industry titans such as Amazon, Vinted, and Asos. Moreover, smartphone users are only using a select few apps on a weekly basis. Instead, a well-designed mobile website will do everything an app does.

Here are some examples of how optimizing eCommerce website technology will drive conversions:

• Speed kills: 53% of users leave a mobile website if a mobile site takes more than 3 seconds to load. Use Page Speed Insights to understand your site’s loading time. This will improve the user experience for customers and improve your SEO ranking.
• Use push notifications: You need customers to opt in via a modal pop-up box. Once they do, alert customers about abandoned carts or product launches. Push Engage is a push notification tool that lets you get started for free. This will drive sales of your products and reduce cart abandonment in real time.
• Ensure checkout is smooth: To make sure customers convert at the last touchpoint, shipping details must be easy to enter. Offer a variety of payment options. Include PayPal, Google Pay & Apple Pay, and Buy Now Pay Later tools such as Klarna.

4. Optimize For Voice Search

If you weren’t yet convinced by how technology is changing retail, consumers are now shopping through virtual assistants (such as Apple’s Siri or Google Assistant).

Voice search isn’t something to incorporate into your tech stack. Instead, it’s a tool you and your eCommerce store should prepare for. With 135.6 million shoppers using voice search, it’s one of the fastest-growing methods consumers use to search for products. So, it’s essential your products stand out.

Create Conversational Product Content

As with traditional search (such as Google), optimizing your eCommerce website for voice search relies on a solid SEO strategy. But there’s a twist. When it comes to SEO for voice search, focus on how people speak as opposed to type.

For instance, a voice search is usually presented as a conversational question. Such as: ’Hey, Alexa, where can I buy a Manchester City jersey near me?’.

When writing product descriptions and product titles, make sure they’re conversational. Use Hemingway Editor, SEMrush writing assistant, or Grammarly. Each will ensure you maintain a consistent tone of voice.

You’ll improve the readability of your product information, too. This is crucial because digital assistants prioritize reader-friendly product information. As a result, your products will be discovered more frequently.

The past is always tense, the future perfect. – Zadie Smith

Key Points

• You don’t need Gucci’s budget to reap the advantages of the best eCommerce technology.
• From ChatGPT to social media platforms. There’s a variety of easy-to-use tools available to get started.
• It’s no surprise the benefits of eCommerce of each technology are similar. Each tool helps create high-quality user experiences for online shoppers.
• From creating high-quality SEO-friendly product descriptions to curating frictionless mobile journeys. Developing a high-quality eCommerce experience means retailers have to embrace the future of eCommerce technology.