E-commerce has witnessed an unprecedented growth in the past decade, part of the surge can be credited to the digital revolution that has taken place converging the entire world. However, the technology has increasingly improved to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience which isn’t the doing of e-commerce alone, we are living in rapidly changing times and we have gone a step further to experiment with A-commerce which promises a brighter future in form of even effortless shopping for customers who now are busier than ever. A-Commerce is characterized by the customer 2.0 who has taken control of the seller-buyer relationship, thanks to the smartphones and ease of internet access.

The demands of the digital era fundamentally differ from the conventional marketing tools; back in the 90s, when the internet was developing, traditional marketing was the only form of marketing, however gone are those days and so is the monopoly of traditional marketing as the digital age picked up, gradually plummeting to enormous heights, reaching a broader and younger audience through visually stunning and incredibly appealing social media campaigns.

The smooth run and wide acceptance of New Media left marketers with a lower opinion of traditional media. The depth and intelligence offered by the digital marketing tools are not lost on anyone. Customer 2.0 is tech enabled and we need to understand the modern buyer who has unlimited access to information. In order to deliver value to the buyer 2.0, we need to understand A-Commerce which entails a number of effective ways of engaging and understanding the needs of the modern consumer. Offering frictionless checkouts and making the product discoverable through pushing notifications at opportune times are key features of A-Commerce.  

A-Commerce also known as ‘Automated Commerce’, uses sales force automation to customize the buying experiences of the users which involves offering recommendations based on the interests and requirements of the buyers. It focuses on making use of insights about the sentiment, preferences and priorities of the customer to deliver a buying experience that is pleasing to the seller and buyer alike. Sales are streamlined via suggesting the next best action to the buyer which is in the best interest of both the buyer and the seller. Retailers are suggested to reach out to their buyers through their preferred communication mediums

Upgrading and Educating

Customers are exhausting the functionalities provided by the online stores as they extensively make use of the information available at the touch of a button to make informed decisions. The current market landscape is perspicuously indicative of the evolving consumer demand which is unlikely to slow down. In order to keep up with the breakneed speed at which the digital world is changing, one needs to invest in acquiring the latest marketing skills. Earning a college degree is the quickest way to become proficient, alternatives include getting a diploma or attending online courses, which are amply offered by various online teaching institutes. 

The expectations and requirements of the Customer 2.0 who has outgrown the traditional web store functionalities are challenging the businesses to provide more personalized, integrated and immersive experiences to augment their future growth plans. With the emergence of A-Commerce, we are looking at a tomorrow where AI, VR, IOT, and AR are brigading to exponentially refine the consumer experience which is not only hassle free but also aligns with the shifting market paradigm. We’re looking at a future where consumer product demand is not only met or exceeded but predicted