Nowadays and more than ever, business owners are faced with the challenge of adapting and keeping up with a rapidly evolving digital world. The marketplace has become increasingly competitive thanks to digitalisation, and to stay competitive you need to be innovative.
How do you be innovative as a business? What does that entail? The ABS defines that “the development or introduction of new or significantly improved goods, services, processes or methods is generally considered to be innovation”.
In other words, you need to be come up with ways to provide enhanced customer experiences, by solving problems and adding value through creative solutions, especially through the use of new technologies!
Feels daunting? You’re not alone! It isn’t uncommon that businesses fall behind when they feel threatened about new technology, and yes perhaps venturing into the ‘unknown’ can be rather scary.
However, it is important to be open minded and embrace not only the convenience but also the competitive edge that comes with technological innovation. Which, by the way, goes beyond than just having a website – if that’s you, no fear! Here’re some ideas for you to get started:
1, Consumer Insights & Marketing Automation
With the rise of the internet and social media, we now have the ability to collect and manage large amounts of Customer Data. Using technology to help us understand insights and consumer behaviour, we can now tailor and target our audience much more effectively and efficiently. For example, analysing your insights with CRM software and targeting specific audiences via social media scheduling apps can save you heaps of time and money, giving you a better ROI!
2, AR & VR
Technology is making it possible to significantly enhance the user experience – taking it to a whole new level. With Virtual and Augmented Reality, you can now make print advertising come to life, letting your customers experience information in more than just a 2D form. For example, you can create Business Cards that “talk”. Imagine handing out a business card in which your clients can view a video about you, or your business, simply by hovering their mobile device on your card?
This opens up so many opportunities in the marketing realm. Think talking labels on your packaging, video explanation on your brochures – the applications are endless!
3, Digital & Smart Assistants
We have all seen and heard the funny jokes about Siri’s answers or misunderstandings. However jokes aside, there is a new market in which Smart and Digital Assistants are part of. Smart homes are on the rise and Voice enabled web navigation is becoming increasingly common. Did you know, one in four online shoppers use Voice Assistants to shop2? And many people are unable to navigate websites with only a visual interface, as much as 40%3! Consider voice enabling your website and magnify the reach of your marketing.
4, Mobile Apps
The use of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets is more prevalent than ever before. This allows businesses to target their customers ‘on the go’, anywhere, anytime. A Mobile App is like an important extension of your website. You can send real time notifications, special deals, allow users to make orders or purchase instantly, and collect data through rewards programs. You can even incorporate AR into your App!
As you can see, the world is changing and innovative technologies are rapidly transforming the way we live and do business. The best chance for success is to keep trying new ways to improve your customer experience and providing value. Be open minded! Albert Einstein once said ““We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
So are you ready to take the next step?
Need a hand with stepping into the digital world? Let Concept Designs and Marketing help! We can show you how to gain insights from your customer data, use AR in your marketing, design mobile apps and help you voice enable your websites.
Get in touch today!
Reference:
1 http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8158.0
2 https://voicebot.ai/2018/04/17/one-in-four-online-shoppers-use-voice-assistants-on-mobile-to-shop/
3 http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4228.0Main+Features202011-12
