Voice shopping: how to prepare for the future of voice commerce

Today, we're seeing more and more of the term voice commerce. It's a way of shopping in which customers use voice commands to search for and order products online through voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple's Siri. This trend brings a new dimension to the world of e-commerce and is changing the way consumers interact with technology. 

What is voice commerce? 

Voice commerce, sometimes referred to as V-commerce, allows users to make purchases using voice commands without the need for traditional text input or screen use. This technology uses speech recognition and artificial intelligence to interpret and execute customer requests. For example, a user can say, "Alexa, order me a coffee machine," and the assistant will make the purchase based on previous preferences or available options.

How to prepare for voice commerce?

To successfully implement voice commerce into their strategies, companies should consider the following steps:

1. Optimizing content for voice search: People use natural language and ask questions in the form of complete sentences during voice search. It is therefore important to tailor website content to answer these queries, for example by including frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers.
2. Use conversational keywords: Focus on long keywords and phrases that match the way people talk. For example, instead of "best coffee maker", optimize for "What is the best coffee maker for home use?".
3. Ensure compatibility with voice assistants: Make sure your products and services are available through major voice platforms like Alexa Skills or Google Actions. This may involve developing specific apps or integrations for these platforms.
4. Simplify the buying process: Minimize the number of steps required to complete a purchase. Voice users prefer quick and efficient transactions, so it's important to make the process as smooth as possible.
5. Security and privacy: Given the sensitivity of voice data, it's crucial to implement strong security measures and communicate transparently with customers about how their data is collected and used.

Conclusion

Voice commerce represents a significant shift in online shopping, offering customers a convenient and intuitive way to interact with e-commerce platforms. Companies that prepare for this trend and adapt their strategies can gain a competitive advantage and reach a wide range of customers.