How generative AI is solving a fundamental flaw in ecommerce A lot of issues faced by ecommerce companies can be traced back to an original sin committed by the industry—it expected customers to do the work. When buyers flocked online to find products, they were met with vague or overly technical descriptions. It was up to them to learn what separated one laptop from another or what RAM meant. It was a big change from the highly personal and interactive experience of shopping in store. Fast forward 25 years and not much has changed. I recently went searching for a DSLR camera. I looked at 12 o ..read more

Ontologies are a central component of machine learning, but what exactly are ontologies and how do they work? In this article, we will demystify ontologies and explain how these data models make powerful discovery experiences in ecommerce possible.  What is an ontology?  An ontology represents knowledge in a graph of concepts that are connected to create meaning.  Let’s break this down further.   A concept is something that carries meaning. Usually, we can use a word or phrase to point to a concept. In the world of ecommerce, a concept could be the category of a produc ..read more

Predictions show that generative AI could add $4.4 trillion to the global economy. That’s more than the UK’s GDP. And it’s not hard to see why. From personalized product recommendations to smart inventory predictions, generative AI has the power to revolutionize the entire ecommerce experience, on both the supply and the demand side. It can automate processes, predict trends, and recommend optimizations that can help you tailor the customer journey and streamline your ecommerce operations from start to finish. In this article, we’re digging deeper into what generative AI is. We’re also running ..read more

Every B2C company has goals such as improving conversions, fueling growth, and scaling success. However, results can be lackluster when product pages aren’t fully optimized. Product detail page (PDP) optimization is focused on improving results by enhancing critical page elements. These improvements create a more helpful user experience, leading to higher conversions and more sales. In this post, we’ll explore the best strategies for improving PDP optimization so you can align your page performance with the results you want to achieve. In ecommerce, your product page is your pitch. Make sure ..read more

Qualifying a B2B lead is a process that requires a longer sales cycle and often includes conversations with multiple stakeholders. Additionally, enterprise-level sales typically come at a higher price point, which often requires more time to help reduce perceived buying risk. As a result, you need knowledgeable and experienced sales representatives who can effectively engage potential clients, understand the client’s industry-specific needs, and who can adapt to changes in the industry quickly. CPQ solutions help businesses streamline and manage complex B2B sales by automating the configuratio ..read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) is sweeping the ecommerce industry. And it’s complicated. AI isn’t one type of technology — it’s a range of models that use algorithms to automate workflows, predict patterns, and personalize experiences. Over the next 12 months, 60% of retail directors plan to deploy AI and machine learning. If you don’t know what it can do, you’ll get left behind. Knowing how each AI technology works will help you reshape your online shopping experience and stay ahead of your competitors. Take Microsoft, for example. Not only has Microsoft made sizable investments in ChatGPT. It ..read more

As buyers demand faster, easier, and more personalized experiences, B2B companies are looking for resources that help them keep up. That’s not an easy task. And in the meantime, expectations keep growing.  Seventy-three percent of buyers expect a business to understand their personalized needs and expectations, and 88% say this matters as much as a company’s products and services. Creating a fantastic product, then, is only part of the equation. The other part is how you deliver it.  For B2B businesses, much of the “how” is tied to the sales quoting process, and that’s where options ..read more

Ecommerce retail sales were approximately $5.2 trillion worldwide in 2021, and are forecast to grow by 56% in the next few years. This meteoric rise underscores how consumer shopping habits, especially with Millennials and Gen Z, have evolved. If brands want to remain relevant, they not only need to maintain their digital foothold, but also innovate to distinguish themselves in an increasingly crowded marketplace. One way to separate yourself from the pack is by recreating the experience of in-store shopping on your website. Imagine online platforms where interactive displays and touchscreens ..read more

To keep pace with rising consumer expectations—and simplify the increasingly complex customer journey—ecommerce brands must use data analytics to create hyper-personalized experiences. Enter guided shopping, a customer-centric strategy to present online shoppers with products tailored to their needs. In this post, we’ll explore the increasing relevance of guided shopping in ecommerce, along with how it works to improve customer experience, increase conversion rates, and shorten the time it takes to make buying decisions. What is Guided Shopping? Guided shopping refers to providing shoppers wit ..read more

What Is Visual CPQ? Imagine you’re in healthcare sales. You have a client who needs a complex, customized imaging machine setup for their hospital. Traditionally, this could involve lengthy discussions, multiple iterations with your design team, and a convoluted process of referencing compatibility specifications and pricing sheets. But not with a visual CPQ. With CPQ software, this obsolescent process becomes seamless and efficient. As you discuss various options and criteria with your client, you can now instantly configure the machine’s setup in real time. Not only can you keep up with the ..read more