4 Ways to Use Technology to Engage with Customers

Technology and digital marketing have been evolving at an incredible rate over the last decade, and there are no signs of a let-up. The impact of this is that consumers now have exceptionally high standards when it comes to the service they receive and there are a lot of companies vying for their attention in increasingly creative ways. It can be difficult to stay relevant and innovative, but businesses which do not evolve are likely to be left behind their competitors. Here are 4 ways that modern companies and entrepreneurs can use technology to engage with customers and promote creative marketing campaigns.

1. Virtual Reality

Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to revolutionize the way we experience the world, including how businesses and consumers engage with each other. An increasing number of brands are using VR technology to enable consumers to immerse themselves in an experience or product via a sensory experience. For example, food and drink brands are able to create tasting booths which introduce products while smells, sounds, and even tastes are introduced. VR can be dismissed as a gimmick, but when done well it can take on a life of its own and become a viral campaign.

2. Text Message Marketing

Almost everyone has a smartphone which they rely on for a lot of day-to-day tasks. Businesses can capitalize on this by investing in dedicated short code texting campaigns. For example, by setting up a dedicated short code for your company, you can encourage customers to text a specific keyword to receive special discounts, promotions, or enter a giveaway contest in return. Unless the customer opts out, you may be able to follow up with certain relevant marketing messages and further offers at a later date.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Targeted Advertising

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most widely used forms of technology, but most consumers do not realize when it is being used. AI can improve the customer experience through enhanced personalization, enabling businesses to deliver advertising and offers which match their buying history and internet searches. This targeted approach to advertising can help businesses get the right advert in front of the right customer at the right time.

AI robots can also be used on websites to guide users to the right pages or products based on their behavior. In the future, we may well find that retailers make use of physical robots powered by AI technology which welcome and support customers as they make their way through the store. They will be able to interact with and learn from customers, but it will probably be many years before this technology is commonplace.

4. Communicating via Chatbots

If you spend a lot of time answering the same customer queries repeatedly, a Chatbot could be useful. The algorithm learns from previous interactions with customers and can adapt its responses to match queries. This improves the customer experience as they can get quick answers without having to wait for a staff member to answer their call. Chatbots can also guide users through the sales process, preventing them from abandoning their shopping cart.