How Technology Is Changing The Way We Shop Online

 

Shopping online now accounts for just over half of all purchases made in America, and that number certainly looks set to rise. It makes sense; online shopping has a lot of advantages over shopping in store such as convenience, speed, and being able to buy from all around the country – even the world. Yet the way we buy online today is not going to be the way we buy online in the future; there are many changes already happening. Here are just a few ways that online shopping is already leaving the past behind.

 

Smartphones

Shopping through a smartphone is now easier than ever before with many e-commerce websites set up to do just that, over and above standard online shopping. Shopping through a smartphone is convenient for people because the device is always with them; if they see something they like the look of in an ad, for example, they can buy it straight away without having to wait for any length of time. They might even just have to scan a barcode or QR code in order to purchase the item they want. Smartphones also allow for easy comparisons between goods and suppliers so online shoppers can find the best deals. This leads to plenty of competition which is helping to drive prices lower, and when you want to source something unusual such as penis enhancement pills or other items that you wouldn’t necessarily find in stores, then you can check out reviews and make an informed decision.

 

Artificial Intelligence

The great science fiction movies of the past all included some element of artificial intelligence (AI) in their plots. Now AI is part of many online stores and purchases, bringing us right up to date with the latest technology. Studies suggest that by the year 2020, around 85 percent of all customer interactions will be made by AI – the human element of shopping is disappearing. The most common form of AI found on e-commerce (and other) stores today is the chatbot which allows customers to ask questions about the goods and services on offer.

 

Smoother Service

Due to the ability for people to simply click a button or two and purchase whatever it is they want, they will also expect that item to be delivered as soon as possible – perhaps even that same day. This is where the idea of a smoother delivery service comes in. There are many different trials going on right now to determine the best way to get items delivered in the shortest amount of time. Trucks and the mail are still used, but with the prevalence of ideas containing drones and robots, how much longer will they be required?

 

Predictive Shopping

Cookies on websites can already track what we are looking for and offer up advertising that matches what we were considering buying. This can be taken further, and some analysts say that you will be able to set up a continue basket on a website that will just pick the items it thinks you want. You’ll have final say, but the idea is that you won’t even have to do the shopping itself, just the checkout.

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