Technology has forever changed the way we do business. From artificial intelligence to virtual assistants, technology has allowed companies to create deeper connections with their target audience. Below are a few of the emerging tech trends that can give your business the competitive advantage it seeks.
1. Voice over Internet Protocol
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) lets you make phone calls and send multimedia files via the internet. VoIP technology allows you to communicate using instant messaging, video conferencing, voicemail, fax via email and more. Popular examples of VoIP apps include Skype, Viber, and Facebook Messenger.
Lingo.com shares that more than one-third of businesses use cloud-based VoIP phone systems. VoIP systems optimize your customer service and save you from expensive phone bills. As long as you’re connected to the internet, you can directly communicate with partners and clients anywhere in the world. With its call recording feature, VoIP allows customer service representatives and team members to track important conversations.
2. Voice search
Recent studies show that more than half of all smart phone users are engaging with voice search technology in 2020.
Voice assistants liKe Siri and Alexa are changing the way users search for information, products, services and local businesses. Voice search allows users to make longer and more personalized queries than typical typed searches. More specific searches, in turn, can boost your search ranking and drive traffic to your site.
3. Mobile Payments
Accepting mobile payments can reduce checkout time and therefore, improve customer service. The time savings can also allow you to accommodate more customers and boost sales.
Mobile payments also let you track customer behavior such as how frequently they shop and how much they spend. This data can be used to target your customers based on their buying trends and demands, which improves their overall shopping experience.
Mobile payment solutions simplify your accounting system and help you manage your cash flow better. They can also reduce costs such as excessive bank and bookkeeping charges.
4. Cybersecurity
Viruses, spyware, and malware can hack through your systems via e-mail and website visits. These threats can steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and passwords.
Cybersecurity solutions protect your company’s network and data from malicious software. It allows your employees to work safely and productively as viruses can also slow down personal computers.
Infected systems can also damage and force your website to shut down. When this happens, not only will you miss out on potential transactions, but you will also lose customer trust.
5. Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) has proven its impact not just in entertainment but in business, as well. VR creates a more immersive and engaging shopping experience. It gives customers the chance to test the overall performance and quality of the product. This provides businesses with more detailed product feedback and data which can be used to improve quality and increase sales.
In manufacturing, VR is used to present new products in 3D before proceeding to prototype creation. This saves a lot of time and avoids errors.
6. Chatbots
Chatbots have transformed customer support. Unlike human customer representatives, virtual assistants are available 24/7 and can communicate with hundreds of users simultaneously.
Powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, chatbots boost customer service by providing relevant and fast answers. They also track and capture data from conversations efficiently.
Different tech trends are allowing businesses to innovate like never before. Investing in the right technology will keep you relevant and on top of the game.
