The continuous growth of the e-commerce business shows that customers' preference for online shopping is on the rise rather than on the decline, as many beneficiaries prefer to explore their options online and buy everything they need without the hassle of visiting any store. Today, voice search in e-commerce comes to completely redefine the shopping experience.

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Experts predict a further rise in demand for touchless, voice-driven user experiences. An analyst forecast in the UK by Juniper Research shows that voice-based e-commerce will grow to reach more than $80 billion annually in this year, 2023. The figures also show that voice commerce sales will reach more than $50 billion by 2024. This will certainly illustrate how voice search will change e-commerce and its future to create opportunities for online retailers, and then to create an amazing state of competition among companies that are now diligently seeking to introduce the search feature in e-commerce; to increase their digital presence, and for a better ranking among primary search results. 

What does "Voice Search in E-commerce" mean?

Throughout this period, and since our habit of getting instant answers has not changed yet, what has changed is the search methods and solution paths.

Voice search in e-commerce is the digital action of using "speech" to search for questions or give commands on the Internet through digital devices such as smartphones and tablets. In the world of online shopping, voice search in e-commerce has became a preferred mode of communication; as it reduces time and effort since users do not have to look for keys or type. This feature is also increasingly being used to perform a variety of online commercial activities, which were previously known to require users to type and follow up, also see online marketing.

The following statistics show the importance of voice technology and voice-enabled devices:

• The smart speaker market size is set to exceed USD 30 billion by 2024

• 34% of people who do not own a voice assistant are interested in purchasing one.

• A study by Gartner predicts that 50% of all browsing sessions will include a voice search by 2024.

Confirming the popularity and preference of voice search among internet users is the urgent need to include the voice search feature in e-commerce and its continuous optimization in marketing strategies.

The Importance of Voice Search in E-commerce

The rise in voice search could be a game-changer in the market, with half of all online searches being performed with the help of voice search. Overlooking the voice search feature in e-commerce could mean missing out on an obvious opportunity. Strangely, many marketers have not paid much attention to this growing trend yet!

In these days when the flame of business and marketing competition is white-hot, it is logical that implementing voice search in e-commerce or on your core platform is at the heart of your customer experience strategy. Here is a list of reasons why voice search will be the future of e-commerce:

1. Offers a personalized shopping experience

Voice search personalizes shopping experiences with recommendations based on individual preferences. For example, if a customer uses AmazonFresh to buy their daily groceries and orders through Alexa, the voice assistant can suggest items that match their diet based on preferences communicated to the device. In the case of repeat orders, voice search in e-commerce can facilitate the task for the user.

A reminder from Salla: Marketers see an average 20% increase in sales when using personalized experiences.

2. Ease of review

Gathering feedback has never been easy for businesses, but with voice search in e-commerce, sharing feedback for customers is a breeze. The ease and convenience of reviewing makes it more realistic and meaningful, helping to shine a spotlight on the product for the beneficiary and many other consumers. Unlike the time-consuming task of writing long reviews, voice assistants ask specific questions and ratings, without the need to log in.

3. Time efficiency

Voice search in e-commerce is fast and efficient when it comes to typing a query. The average person types quickly at about 30 to 35 words per minute, while voice search allows you to process nearly 100 words per minute. Consequently, voice search in e-commerce enables you to communicate quickly and get results faster, which is an exciting advantage for most users. And don't forget that by using voice search, you can shop even on the go while engaging in another activity like cooking or driving.

      Indeed, 62% of users will use their voice assistant while multitasking.

4. Enabling smart shopping

The features of voice search in e-commerce are not limited to using voice only; they are also about effectively using artificial intelligence as well as machine learning. This makes the voice feature smart enough to capture your shopping behavior and habits. For example, when you buy your monthly groceries online, a voice assistant can recommend and remind you of products that were previously part of your shopping cart but are not on your current list, which is a great advantage for brands too.

The Race to Voice Search

Marketers believe that "voice search" is the next big thing in the digital marketing world, as:

• Google search statistics show that in 2013, artificial intelligence was able to recognize 77% of spoken words. Today, this figure is 97%.

• 51% of people who shop via voice use the voice search feature to research products.

• It is used hands-free in the research process, and you do not need to hold your device while accessing information, as you can perform multiple tasks while using it.

•  The evolution of technology has kept some simple features the same: high-quality service experience, user interface, and faster accessibility.

Here are some important reasons for the exponential increase in voice search in e-commerce:

• The design and development of voice search technology has resulted in an accessible user interface for all age groups, which has gained a large user base.

• With more tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and Microsoft all adopting voice assistant technology into the mainstream, voice search in e-commerce has been a highly credible new digital marketing trend.

• In addition, the speed and convenience of voice search compared to typing is unmatched.

Famous brands distinguished by voice search 

1. Nestle

In 2017, this global brand launched its GoodNes Alexa skill, offering a visual voice browsing experience to customers who love to cook. Alexa helps customers improve their cooking skills through voice and visual guidance. GoodNes also provides a visual guide that works via Safari or Chrome on both desktop and mobile devices.

2. Domino’s Pizza

Domino's Pizza introduced the voice assistant "Dom" to automate phone pizza orders to ensure an easy and fast process for customers. The voice assistant takes orders from users and also monitors the status of their orders. 

By the way, this is part of Domino's strategy to go 100% digital in the near future.

Using modern techniques in e-commerce, shoppers can now search and find the products they need based on voice descriptions. Voice search technology in e-commerce can improve the online shopping experience and make it more intuitive for users, prompting investments in this field to grow steadily by facilitating efficient interaction with commercial sites, and saving time and effort through instant and accurate search results.

What are you waiting for? There is an innovative and useful technology that can distinguish you from many of your business competitors around you.