AI in eCommerce Archives

Navigating the Future of Ecommerce with Jisse Reitsma

August 21, 2024July 24, 2024 Brent W. Peterson

Welcome to another engaging episode of “Talk Commerce,” where we delve deep into the heart of ecommerce, technology, and entrepreneurship. In this special edition, we had the pleasure of hosting Jisse Reitsma, a prominent figure from the Netherlands and the visionary behind Yireo. Jisse brings a wealth of knowledge and a refreshing perspective on the evolving ecommerce landscape. Today, we will unwrap the essential insights from our enriching discussion centered around the latest trends in ecommerce for 2024.

The Essence of Ecommerce Trends in 2024
Our conversation with Jisse began by diving into the crucial ecommerce trends that are shaping the industry in 2024. We explored how building long-term customer relationships has become paramount for businesses aiming for sustainable success. The focus has dramatically shifted from merely acquiring customers to nurturing lasting relationships, emphasizing loyalty and customer satisfaction.

Exploring Technological Advancements in Ecommerce
A significant part of our discussion revolved around how technologies like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming online shopping experiences. Jisse highlighted the role of these immersive technologies in making online shopping more interactive and engaging. Moreover, the rise of voice search and the importance of personalizing the shopping experience were pivotal points that underscored the necessity for businesses to leverage data insights effectively.

The Impact of AI on Ecommerce
Jisse extensively shared his views on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the ecommerce sector. From understanding customer behaviors to optimizing conversions, AI stands out as a game-changer. He offered insightful anecdotes on how AI-driven tools like chatbots enhance customer service by providing instant support, thus significantly improving the customer experience.

Listener Questions and Insights
We had the opportunity to incorporate a few listener questions in our discussion. One notable query was about the integration of flexible payment options and how they cater to diverse customer needs. Jisse explained that offering various payment methods not only enhances customer satisfaction but also reduces cart abandonment rates. Another interesting question was about the growing trend of social commerce. Jisse elaborated on how consumers are increasingly making purchases directly through social media platforms, making it a critical aspect of modern ecommerce strategies.

Ecommerce Trends Revolutionizing Business
In closing, Jisse left us with a thought-provoking statement: “The future of ecommerce is not just about technology but about how we utilize it to create meaningful connections and sustainable practices in business.” This encapsulates the core message of our discussion – the harmonious blend of technology, customer engagement, and sustainability is indeed the key to thriving in the dynamic world of ecommerce.

See More Episodes about the future of E-Commerce

Live from eTail West with Shopware’s Jason Nyhus: Insights and Innovations

March 5, 2024March 5, 2024 Brent W. Peterson

I had the pleasure of welcoming Jason Nyhus, the General Manager at Shopware US, who shared valuable insights into Shopware’s journey, its mission in the US market, and the innovative strides the company is making in the eCommerce space. As a long-time listener but a first-time attendee, Jason brought a fresh perspective to the table, underlining the importance of innovation, open source, and meeting the specific needs of the mid-market merchant.

Shopware’s Mission and Cultural Impact

Starting with a background on Shopware, Jason Nyhus highlighted the company’s 20-year history and its foundation by two brothers with contrasting strengths in art and science. This combination has fostered a unique company culture capable of challenging norms and embracing significant changes, such as going open source and transitioning the company’s business language to English, despite being based in rural Germany.

First-Person Insight:

As someone deeply involved in the eCommerce world, it was fascinating to hear about Shopware’s bold decisions and cultural dynamics. The company’s commitment to open source and continuous innovation resonates with the changing needs of the global market.

Shopware’s Approach to Innovation

Jason emphasized Shopware’s innovative approach, particularly its decision to invest in AI capabilities and focus on improving merchant efficiency. With 13 or 14 live AI capabilities now embedded in the product at no extra charge, Shopware is setting new benchmarks for what eCommerce platforms can offer.

First-Person Insight:

The conversation around AI and innovation was particularly engaging. It’s clear that Shopware is not just keeping up with trends but is actively shaping the future of eCommerce with its visionary perspective.

The Importance of Serving the Mid-Market

A significant part of our discussion revolved around the unique challenges and opportunities in serving the mid-market. Jason pointed out the critical role of providing enterprise-class capabilities at SMB budgets and the necessity of a supportive community of developers and scalable marketing stories.

First-Person Insight:

Jason’s insights into the mid-market segment were eye-opening. It’s a reminder of how platforms need to adapt and innovate to serve this diverse and often overlooked segment effectively.

Looking Ahead: The Future of eCommerce in 2024

As we wrapped up our conversation, Jason shared his optimistic outlook for the eCommerce industry in 2024, highlighting the increased activity and energy in the sector. This optimism is backed by Shopware’s impressive growth and the potential for digital transformation among mid-market merchants.

First-Person Insight:

Jason’s optimism for the future of eCommerce is contagious. It’s clear that despite the challenges, there are vast opportunities for growth and innovation in this space.

Etail Wrap up

My conversation with Jason Nyhus was not only enlightening but also inspirational, providing a glimpse into the future of eCommerce through the lens of Shopware’s journey and innovations. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of commerce, it’s clear that innovation, open source, and a deep understanding of the market’s needs will be crucial for success.

For those looking to dive deeper into the world of eCommerce and learn more about Shopware’s innovative solutions, listening to the full episode of Talk Commerce is a must.

From Browsing to Buying: How Wix’s Ecommerce Platform Boosts Sales and Customer Engagement with Oren Inditzky

January 30, 2024September 19, 2023 Brent W. Peterson

In a recent podcast episode, I enjoyed conversing with Oren Inditzky, the VP and GM of Stores Ecommerce for Wix. We delved into the world of ecommerce, discussing the features of Wix’s ecommerce platform, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and the future of ecommerce. Here’s a recap of our insightful discussion.

Meet Oren: The Man Behind Wix Ecommerce

Oren, a passionate snowboarder and tech enthusiast, is the driving force behind Wix’s ecommerce platform. He oversees the day-to-day operations of Wix ecommerce, a platform that empowers merchants with professional tools to establish, manage, and grow their online businesses.

Wix Ecommerce: A Comprehensive Solution for Online Merchants

Wix ecommerce is more than just a website-building platform. It allows merchants to sell products across various channels, including their own branded online store, native mobile app, physical point of sale, and integrations with external ecommerce marketplaces and social media platforms.

From sourcing products and managing inventory to accepting payments, fulfilling and shipping orders, and obtaining analytics, Wix ecommerce covers all aspects of ecommerce operations. It also offers a wide range of marketing and ecommerce tools to increase traffic, customer engagement, and sales.

The Power of Third-Party Apps and Smart Algorithms

One of the standout features of Wix ecommerce is its integration with hundreds of third-party apps. These apps can be customized by developers and merchants to create unique ecommerce experiences at scale. Oren highlighted the growing number of apps joining the ecosystem and the upcoming collaborations to enhance cross-selling and upselling capabilities on the checkout page.

Wix also leverages smart algorithms for product recommendations, a powerful cross-selling tool. By suggesting other products to customers based on their browsing history, Wix increases the chances of cross-selling and upselling.

The Future of Ecommerce: AI and Content Creation

During our conversation, Oren revealed an exciting upcoming feature: the ability to generate an entire website using AI. This feature aims to streamline the website creation process and optimize day-to-day operations for businesses.

Oren also discussed the future of ecommerce, emphasizing the importance of content creation for online stores. He mentioned the potential for customers to purchase entire looks, including outfits, accessories, and makeup, through their connected devices. He also highlighted the use of augmented reality fitting rooms and the seamless integration of AI, advanced hardware, and logistics to deliver spontaneous purchases within hours.

Looking Ahead: The Importance of Repeat Customers and Content

As we look ahead to 2023 and the upcoming holiday season, Oren emphasized the need for online merchants to focus on generating repeat customers due to the skyrocketing customer acquisition costs. He advised utilizing the holiday season to obtain new customers and then using retention strategies to keep them coming back.

Oren also highlighted the importance of ecommerce content, attracting customers to the site and building trust and increasing conversion rates. He explained that good content goes beyond text and includes the overall design, images, and messaging of the site.

Wix’s Advanced Capabilities: SEO and AI Content Generation

Finally, Oren touched upon Wix’s advanced capabilities for improving site indexing and search engine optimization (SEO), making it easier for online stores to generate content and optimize it for SEO. He also mentioned the use of AI content-generation tools as a valuable resource.

In conclusion, our conversation with Oren provided a deep dive into the world of Wix ecommerce, revealing its powerful features, the role of AI, and the future of ecommerce. As we move forward, it’s clear that platforms like Wix will continue to shape the ecommerce landscape, offering innovative solutions for online merchants.

For more podcasts about Commerce

Shopware Copilot: The Future of E-commerce Administration is Here with Ben Marks

February 2, 2024July 18, 2023 Brent W. Peterson

Welcome to a new episode of the Talk Commerce Podcast, where we unravel the intricacies of eCommerce by giving you insider access to industry experts. Today, we bring you a remarkable conversation with Ben Marks, Director of Global Market Development at Shopware. Ben brings a wealth of eCommerce experience and a clear vision for Shopwar e‘s international expansion.

In a world where shopping journeys are swiftly evolving, he believes in delivering relevant, streamlined buying experiences that resonate with customers. In this deep, enlightening discussion, Ben shares his insights on the quickly intensifying relationship between AI and eCommerce, speaking about various factors that merchants should consider while choosing a platform and unpacking some hidden cost elements associated with platform selection.

Discussing Shopware’s expansion plans into the US market, he underscores the shift towards AI in eCommerce platforms for amplified user interactions. Get ready for an episode filled with golden nuggets as we delve deeper into the future of eCommerce and explore how Shopware is gearing up to navigate these changes. Whether you’re an eCommerce newbie, a high-flyer brand exploring platforms, or an agency deciding your next move, this episode is packed with valuable insights for you. So tune in, and let’s ‘Talk Commerce!’

Highlights of the episode

Role of AI in the Shopware Platform
Advantages of Shopware as an open-source platform
Introduction of Shopware Copilot, a collection of eight AI features
Shopware’s admin functionality and superior user experience
Shopware’s focus on serving the mid-market segment
Predictions on the impact of AI on the platform and e-commerce solutions
Importance of total cost of ownership and custom functionality
Differentiation between Shopware and Shopify
Shopware’s efforts to assist with platform migration
Importance of hosting and simplicity in Shopware’s solution

What you will learn in this episode

As a podcaster, I have the privilege of engaging with industry leaders and innovators. In a recent episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ben Marks from Shopware. We delved into the role of AI in e-commerce, the advantages of open-source platforms, and the future of the industry. Here’s a recap of our enlightening conversation.

A Passionate Introduction

Ben Marks, a member of the Shopware team, kicked off our conversation with a personal touch, sharing his love for playing music with friends. After a light-hearted joke about making graphs, we transitioned into the meat of our discussion: the recent announcement about AI in Shopware.

AI: The Future of E-commerce

Marks explained that AI is a significant development in the e-commerce industry, emphasizing the importance of natural language utility and insight in the administrative experience. Shopware has released a collection of eight AI features called Shopware Copilot, designed to enhance administrative tasks. These features include import/export, product options tagging, image tagging, translation for reviews, and custom checkout messages.Marks believes that AI is just the beginning and predicts that it will soon become the standard expectation in the platform and e-commerce solution business. He praised Shopware’s admin functionality, particularly the workflows and rule builder, which he believes provide a superior experience compared to other platforms.

Shopware: A Unique Approach to Admin User Experience

When asked about Shopware’s approach to improving the admin user experience, Marks emphasized the platform’s focus on enriching the customer experience. He discussed how Shopware is differentiating itself in the American market by serving the mid-market segment. Shopware offers enterprise-scale features built for mid-market budgets, filling a gap between platforms like Shopify and larger enterprise solutions.Marks also highlighted the importance of total cost of ownership and the need for custom functionality as businesses grow. He predicts that the AI trend will continue to impact the front end of the platform, with features like custom-tailored post-checkout experiences for customers.

Generative AI and the Future of User Experience

Marks touched on the importance of generative AI and how it can enhance user experiences without users even realizing it. He sees potential for Shopware to be a better option for larger merchants compared to Shopify, considering the total cost of ownership and the flexibility and control that Shopware offers.He advised merchants to ask objective questions to their agencies and ensure that they are building according to the best practices and standards of the platform they are using. Marks emphasized the importance of hiring agencies with familiarity in multiple platforms to provide tailored services to customers.

Shopware’s Commitment to Innovation and Flexibility

Marks highlighted Shopware’s focus on innovation, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness in serving the mid-market segment. He discussed the importance of installation portability and the ability for merchants to have control over their own destiny. He emphasized the need for trust in the work of agencies and the importance of a solution that supports its agencies. Shopware has a program to educate and provide hands-on instruction to new partners.

Overcoming Market Inertia

The challenge of getting Shopware’s message across in a market dominated by Shopify was also discussed. Marks highlighted the need for a narrative that goes beyond comparing feature sets and focuses on the cost-effectiveness and ease of delivering a unique customer experience with Shopware.Marks acknowledged the inertia that comes with switching e-commerce platforms but emphasized Shopware’s efforts to provide migration assistance and make the transition easier for businesses. He believes that giving merchants the power to control their own destiny is crucial for the industry’s growth.

Shopware vs Shopify: The Hosting Debate

When asked about the differentiation between Shopware and Shopify, particularly in terms of hosting, Marks explained that Shopware has focused on building a solution with utility and simplicity, making it easier to host. He also mentioned the increasing ability of cloud computing tools and professionals in the space to handle hosting and upgrades.

A Personal Note on the E-commerce Industry

Marks expressed his enthusiasm for a pizza place in Salerno, Italy, and his love for the e-commerce industry. He encouraged listeners to pursue their own ventures in the e-commerce world, whether it’s building a service, integration, or starting an agency. He believes there is plenty of room for innovation and building a successful career in this space.Our conversation concluded with a shared sentiment about the fascinating world of e-commerce. It’s an industry that continues to evolve and innovate, offering endless opportunities for those willing to dive in.

Notable Quotes

Ben Marks, 00:03:24, It’s a superpower to have all of this work that might be tedious just happening in the background, and then all you have to do is use natural language in an admin experience. @benmarks
Tweet

Ben Marks, 00:15:58, “I live at the beach and I tend to wear shorts and flip flops, and if I’m having a fashion experience with the website, it’s going to be more powerful if the setting matches my buyer persona.”

Ben Marks, 00:24:26, “It’s dollar for dollar, an hour for hour, much cheaper, quicker, and easier to deliver a unique tailored insight-driven experience for your customers when you are using Shopware.”

Ben Marks, 00:32:28, “I feel incredibly lucky that I have been able to build this career and meet so many people across 50 plus countries now in my 20 years in the space. It’s been a privilege.”

Time Stamp Content

The announcement of AI in Shopware [00:01:01]
Ben Marks discusses the recent announcement of AI in Shopware and its impact on the platform.

Features of Shopware Copilot AI [00:03:24]
Ben Marks explains the collection of features in Shopware Copilot AI that enhance the administrative experience for users. The importance of AI in platform business [00:05:39]
Ben Marks emphasizes the significance of AI in platform businesses and how it can improve the user experience. The role of AI in the platform [00:14:56]
Discussion on how AI will impact the front end of the platform for user experience, including custom tailored post-checkout experiences and generative AI. Shopware’s differentiation in the market [00:13:38]
Explanation of how Shopware differentiates itself in the American market, particularly for mid-market merchants who need enterprise-scale features at a more affordable price. Hidden costs in Shopify [00:19:54]
Advice for merchants to ask objective questions upfront to avoid hidden costs in platforms like Shopify, emphasizing the importance of hiring agencies familiar with the best practices and standards of the chosen platform. Timestamp 1 [00:20:59]
“Installation portability and custom functionality”
Discussion about the portability of installations and the ability to build custom functionality in Shopware. Timestamp 2 [00:22:34]
“Educating users and marketing strategy”
The importance of educating users and Shopware’s marketing strategy to differentiate itself from competitors like Shopify. Timestamp 3 [00:26:27]
“Differentiators and hosting advantages”
Comparison between Shopware and Shopify, including the advantages of Shopware’s hosting options and its approach to complexity. The role of AI in the platform [00:32:00]
Ben Marks discusses the role of AI in the Shopware platform and its impact on the administrative experience for users. Advantages of Shopware as an open-source platform [00:32:28]
Marks encourages listeners to explore the opportunities in the e-commerce world and highlights the advantages of Shopware as an open-source platform. Building a career in the e-commerce world [00:33:20]
The conversation concludes with a discussion about the opportunities to build a career in the e-commerce world and the privilege of being part of the industry.

More Podcasts about Commerce

Links and Mentions

https://www.shopware.com/en/news/ben-marks-former-magento-lead-evangelist-joins-shopware-as-director/

Here is a list of tools, websites, links, books, and videos mentioned in the podcast episode along with their timestamps:

Google Analytics: 00:11:10
Shopify: 00:12:09
Adobe Commerce: 00:12:09
Generative AI: 00:15:58
Total Cost of Ownership: 00:16:59
PHP: 00:17:56

Please note that no specific books, videos, or websites were mentioned in the episode.