THE RISE OF VOICE SEARCH OPTIMISATION

VOICE SPEECH-CENTRIC STRATEGIES - THE NEW NORM.

By. K. M. Makandyera

Introduction

Voice Commerce is a type of e-commerce that allows customers to make purchases using voice commands. This is typically done through voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri. While voice commerce is still a relatively new technology, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we shop. As voice recognition technology continues to improve, we can expect to see even more innovative and convenient ways to make purchases using voice commands.

How Voice commerce actually works.

a. Voice Command - The user initiates the purchase by speaking a command into a voice-activated device like a smart speaker or smartphone. ?For example:

• "Alexa, order me a pizza."
• "Hey Google, buy a new laptop."
• "Siri, order a bottle of champagne for delivery on Monday."

The voice assistant, in this case, Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, would then process the command, search for the desired product, and guide you through the checkout process. Voice commands have made it easier and faster for consumers to shop online, especially when multitasking or on-the-go.

b. Voice Recognition - The device's voice recognition technology processes the command, converting spoken words into text. ?Voice commerce relies on voice-activated devices such as smart speakers (like Amazon Echo or Google Nest) and smartphones with virtual assistants (like Siri or Google Assistant). These devices utilize natural language processing (NLP) to understand and respond to spoken commands.

For instance, a user might say, "Alexa, order a pizza," and the virtual assistant would process the request, search for pizza options, and guide the user through the checkout process. Similarly, a user could say, "Hey Google, buy a new book," and the assistant would search for books and facilitate the purchase.

c. Product Search - The virtual assistant searches for the desired product based on the user's voice command. Once a user issues a voice command, the virtual assistant leverages natural language processing (NLP) to understand the intent and extract keywords. For example, if a user says, "Alexa, order a large pepperoni pizza," the assistant would recognize the intent to order food and identify the specific product: a large pepperoni pizza.

The virtual assistant then queries product databases or e-commerce platforms to find relevant products. It might use a combination of text-based search and image recognition to identify the best matches. The results are ranked based on factors such as relevance, price, and customer reviews.

The virtual assistant presents the top product options to the user, often accompanied by images and brief descriptions. The user can then confirm their choice or request additional information.

d. Purchase Confirmation - The user confirms the purchase using voice commands. Once the desired product is identified, the virtual assistant will ask the user to confirm the purchase using a simple voice command, such as "Yes, please proceed with the order" or "Confirm purchase."

To enhance security and prevent unauthorized purchases, some voice assistants may require additional verification steps, like a voice match or a unique PIN. This ensures that only the authorized user can complete the transaction. By streamlining the checkout process and eliminating the need for manual input, voice commerce offers a convenient and efficient shopping experience.

e. Payment Processing - The purchase is processed through a linked payment method, such as a credit card or digital wallet.

Voice commerce represents a significant shift in the way consumers interact with e-commerce platforms. By leveraging voice-activated devices and natural language processing, this technology offers a hands-free, convenient, and personalized shopping experience. As voice recognition technology continues to improve, voice commerce is poised to become an integral part of the future of e-commerce, transforming the way we shop and interact with brands.