Monthly Ecommerce #18

In today's edition: 

• Salesforce has introduced new functionality to improve Contact Center operations 
• Shopify has released updates to Shop mobile app to enhance the online shopping experience 
• The European Union has implemented the Digital Services Act to regulate online businesses 
• Shopify has shared impressive 2022 results and future plans 
• Webflow has revamped its integration for website performance tracking and reporting.

So, please grab a cup of coffee (or another beverage), and let's get started. 

Salesforce launches new functionality to enhance Contact Center operations 

Salesforce has unveiled new functionality to its Service Cloud to enhance contact center operations. The technology is designed to help companies maximize agent productivity and customer engagement. The company has expanded its Contact Center suite of capabilities with customized solutions for service providers. 

Here are some of them:

• Using AI, Einstein Conversation Insights gives customer care a complete picture of their contact center and alerts them regarding any issues.
• Automated workflows and identity verification allow agents to validate the identification.
• With the use of a straightforward address search, agents can use the service availability check tool to determine whether a customer wants to add or change a service.
• Administrators can rapidly design common workflows using the Action Launcher.

The launch of additional functionality is also accompanied by leveraging Salesforce's partnership with WhatsApp - using the service allows agents and marketers to connect to customers in real time, provide personalized experiences, offer richer conversations, and automate some of the chatbot processes.

Shop app from Shopify

Shopify has upgraded its mobile app called Shop, which aims to enhance the online shopping experience for consumers (a never-ending game, isn't it?). Users can utilize the app to browse and purchase products from various online stores, track their orders, and receive personalized recommendations based on their shopping history.

Some of the latest updates include: 

• The Shop Mini kit allows adding functionality to the Shop app from the merchant's existing Shopify store.
• Shop Store customizations, such as modifying product groups, best sellers, ratings, and branding, enable businesses to establish a better presence on the app.
• Shop Cash campaigns allow Shopify Plus businesses to advertise special deals to customers who use the rewards program.
• By signing in with Shop, consumers can access biometric passkeys and follow a merchant. Merchants can use lead collection tools to automatically sign in high-value customers and offer a tailored user experience.

In addition to providing more convenient and streamlined shopping for consumers, the Shop app also benefits online retailers by increasing brand visibility and customer engagement. The app features the "Follow" button that shoppers can use to follow their favorite stores and receive updates on new products, sales, and promotions.

Overall, the release highlights the growing importance of mobile commerce in today's digital landscape and underscores Shopify's position as one of the leading providers of ecommerce solutions.

If you need assistance with Shopify development services, drop us a message.

The European Union implements the Digital Services Act 

The European Union has rolled out the Digital Services Act, a new regulation intended to govern online platforms and enhance digital services for consumers. This law applies to all online platforms functioning within the EU, including ecommerce marketplaces and social media networks.

The Digital Services Act has numerous provisions aimed at bolstering consumer protection, such as regulations that mandate platforms to provide transparent information about their terms and conditions and measures to combat objectionable content like hate speech and false news. The law also includes stipulations to encourage competition and innovation, such as regulations mandating platforms granting smaller competitors data access.

The introduction of the Digital Services Act demonstrates the EU's commitment to building a digital marketplace that is both just and transparent, one that safeguards consumers and stimulates innovation. By establishing well-defined guidelines and rules for online platforms, the regulation is predicted to enhance faith in digital services and encourage a level playing field for businesses of all sizes.

Overall, adopting the Digital Services Act highlights the rising significance of digital regulation in today's economy and emphasizes the need for governments to establish well-defined guidelines and rules to promote a just and transparent digital marketplace.

Shopify shares its impressive 2022 results and plans

Shopify has confirmed remarkable results for 2022, surpassing expectations. The company earned $12.6 billion in revenue for the year, a 56% increase from the previous year, with a gross merchandise volume (GMV) of $195 billion, a 60% rise from the prior year.

Shopify has also seen a rise in the number of merchants using the platform, with over 3.9 million merchants now using Shopify to power their online stores. This growth highlights the ongoing demand for flexible ecommerce solutions, particularly after the pandemic.

To establish a more cohesive and unified system that better serves its partners and merchants, Shopify has unveiled a multi-year plan to overhaul its partner program. 

The initiative will focus on three primary areas: simplifying the partner experience, boosting partner profitability, and improving partner education and support. These improvements make it easier for partners to navigate Shopify's resources, increase their earning potential, and offer better client support.

For this initiative, Shopify will launch a novel partner portal as a centralized hub for partners to access tools and resources, including sales and marketing support, technical documentation, and training materials. Moreover, the company will increase the commission rates for its partners to make it more financially rewarding for them to work with Shopify.

These changes demonstrate that Shopify keeps showing the platform's sustained strength and success in the ecommerce industry. By investing in a more streamlined and efficient partner program, Shopify ensures its merchants have the best resources and capabilities to help them thrive in their business.

Revamp Website's performance with Webflow's integration

Webflow has announced exciting updates to its Google Analytics integration, making tracking and measuring your website's performance more effortless. 

Google Analytics 4, also called GA4, will replace Universal Analytics as of July 1st, 2023. Properties of Universal Analytics will stop receiving new data from websites and switch to read-only mode.

A list of things to keep in mind that will help you prepare for the transition:

• Webflow's integration will ONLY accept GA4 measurement IDs going forward.
• Those using measurement IDs from Universal Analytics will be asked to switch to GA4 IDs.
• To ensure tracking after July 1st, 2023, users having GA4 measurement IDs should re-save and publish their sites.
• The toggles for gtag.js and IP anonymization have been eliminated because GA4 now mandates their use.

With improved reporting features and a more user-friendly interface, now you'll have all the data you need to make informed decisions and optimize your online presence.

So, are you excited to test it out?