Voice Commerce: Revolutionizing the E-commerce Landscape in India

Voice Commerce: Revolutionizing the E-commerce Landscape in India

The e-commerce scene in India is undergoing a remarkable evolution, propelled by the swift embrace of voice commerce. This cutting-edge technology, allowing users to engage with digital devices through natural language, is fundamentally reshaping the dynamics of online shopping. With voice assistants becoming more advanced and seamlessly integrated into daily life, voice commerce is on the verge of becoming a mainstream avenue for e-commerce transactions in India.

According to a recent report by WATConsult, Dentsu India’s digital agency, voice commerce’s popularity in India was on the rise. The report projected that the number of voice commerce shoppers in India would reach 168 million by the end of 2022, up from 83 million in 2021 — an impressive growth of 103% in just one year.

As per the report, 42% of female shoppers in India have utilized voice assistants for online shopping. Individuals aged 18–24 were among the most frequent users of voice assistants for shopping. Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad were leading the way in adopting voice commerce.

Factors Driving the Surge of Voice Commerce in India:

· Rising Smartphone Usage: India has experienced an astonishing surge in smartphone adoption, boasting over 800 million active users. This widespread usage provides a readily available platform for the integration of voice commerce applications.

· Accessibility of Regional Languages: Voice assistants now comprehend and respond to an expanding array of Indian languages, making them more inclusive and appealing to a diverse audience.

· Convenience and Hands-free Experience: Voice commerce provides a hassle-free and hands-free shopping experience, especially in scenarios where typing or using a screen is impractical.

· Growing Adoption of Smart Speakers: The increasing affordability and popularity of smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home have further accelerated the adoption of voice commerce.

A study by Google and Bain & Company found that voice search queries in India are growing at a whopping 270% year-on-year, indicating the growing popularity of voice-based interactions. This underscores the impact of voice commerce on how users interact with digital platforms and seek information.

Additionally, vernacular language users are expected to constitute 75% of India’s internet user base by 2025, making voice search and voice commerce accessible to a wider audience. This shift towards regional language adoption aligns with the inclusivity of voice assistants, allowing a diverse range of users to engage seamlessly with this technology.

Impact of Voice Commerce on the Landscape of Online Shopping:

· Simplified Search and Product Discovery: Voice search allows users to swiftly and easily find products using natural language queries, enhancing the search process’s intuitiveness and efficiency.

· Enhanced Product Recommendations: Voice assistants analyse user preferences and shopping behaviours to offer personalised product recommendations, elevating the overall shopping experience.

· Streamlined Checkout Process: Voice-based checkout simplifies the payment process, enabling users to complete transactions with minimal effort and without manually entering payment details.

· Hands-free Shopping for Multitasking: Voice commerce empowers users to shop hands-free, adding convenience for multitasking or engaging in other activities.

· Expanding E-commerce Reach: Voice commerce is creating new e-commerce avenues, particularly in non-urban areas where internet connectivity and literacy may pose challenges.

Voice commerce is undeniably revolutionizing the online shopping landscape in India. Its convenience, hands-free functionality, and proficiency in understanding regional languages are driving its rapid adoption. As voice assistants continue to advance and seamlessly integrate into daily routines, voice commerce is set to play an increasingly prominent role in India’s e-commerce scene. Businesses that embrace this technology will position themselves to capture a significant share of the expanding voice commerce market in India.

P.S. This article was first published on LinkedIn.