As the world of e-commerce evolves rapidly, Shopify is at the center of this change. The company stands out with its unique position in the social e-commerce space. So, what makes Shopify so special and what does the future hold for us?
Wedbush analyst Scott Devitt has published a report highlighting Shopify’s potential in the social ecommerce space. According to Devitt, Shopify is “uniquely positioned to capitalize on the growth of social commerce ,” which he sees as a critical factor for the company’s future growth.
One of Shopify’s biggest advantages is its strong partnerships with social media platforms . The company has developed integrations with popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. This makes it easy for merchants to reach and sell directly to their customers on social media.
Devitt highlights the following key points in his report:
Shopify ‘s Shop app is becoming a powerful tool for social commerce.
The company’s AI capabilities play a key role in delivering personalized shopping experiences.
Shopify’s payment solutions make social commerce transactions seamless.
The results of these strategic moves are starting to show. Shopify’s gross merchandise volume (GMV) increased by 17% year-over-year in the latest quarter, outpacing overall growth in the e-commerce sector.
But Shopify’s success isn’t limited to technological innovations alone. The company also places great emphasis on strengthening its merchant ecosystem . For example, its recently announced Shopify Magic feature uses AI to help merchants create product descriptions and marketing content.
So what do these developments mean for investors? Devitt maintains his “Outperform” recommendation on Shopify stock and sets a $62 target price. That suggests a potential upside of about 15% from current price levels.
However, like any investment opportunity, Shopify also has risks. Competition is increasing, economic uncertainty persists, and social media regulations and data privacy concerns could impact the growth of social commerce.
Shopify’s future is closely tied to the future of e-commerce. If the company can quickly adapt to changing consumer habits, it can realize its growth potential. It can play a significant role in shaping the shopping preferences of Gen Z and Millennial consumers in particular.
In conclusion, Shopify’s social eCommerce strategy looks promising for the company’s future. However, it will require constant innovation and adaptation to ensure sustainable success. Investors and eCommerce professionals will continue to closely monitor Shopify’s moves in this area.
PayPal has announced the launch of its card processing service on the Shopify platform. This new partnership offers an additional payment option for businesses selling through Shopify.
According to PayPal, this service will allow Shopify merchants to receive credit and debit card payments from their customers directly through PayPal , allowing merchants to manage their transactions through a single platform without needing a separate payment processor.
The new service includes the following features:
All major credit and debit cards accepted
Fraud prevention tools
Affordable transaction fees
Integration with PayPal’s existing infrastructure
“This partnership will give Shopify merchants more flexibility and control,” said Jim Magats, PayPal’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. Magats also noted that the move will strengthen PayPal’s position in the ecommerce ecosystem.
In the statement made by Shopify, it was emphasized that this collaboration will help merchants grow their businesses by providing them with more options .
This partnership could increase competition in the e-commerce sector and prompt other payment providers to make similar moves. Experts say such collaborations will be beneficial for small and medium-sized businesses .
PayPal’s move is seen as part of the company’s recent investments in e-commerce. In recent months, the company has announced investments in various artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies.
The new service will be available first to Shopify merchants in the US, with plans to roll out to other countries by the end of the year.
This development in the e-commerce sector could also have positive consequences for consumers who shop online. More integrated payment systems can improve the shopping experience and increase transaction security.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing savings strategies in the e-commerce industry. A new article in Forbes examines the details and impact of this transformation.
AI technologies offer significant savings opportunities for both consumers and retailers. Here are the main areas where AI creates savings in e-commerce:
Personalized Pricing: AI can analyze each customer’s shopping history and behavior to provide personalized pricing. This ensures that consumers receive deals that fit their budget.
Dynamic Pricing: With AI, retailers can instantly adjust prices based on factors like demand, stock availability, and competition. This increases the profitability of companies and offers affordable prices to consumers.
Intelligent Inventory Management: AI optimizes inventory levels, preventing costly situations such as overstocking or understocking. This reduces operational costs for companies.
Preventive Maintenance: With AI, e-commerce platforms can detect and resolve potential issues in advance, reducing downtime and associated costs.
Efficiency in Customer Service: AI-powered chatbots reduce manpower costs by answering customer questions quickly and effectively.
Fraud Detection: AI algorithms prevent financial losses by detecting suspicious transactions.
Supply Chain Optimization: AI reduces logistics costs by identifying inefficiencies in the supply chain.
The Forbes article highlights that AI not only reduces costs but also improves customer experience . Personalized recommendations and faster service increase customer satisfaction.
However, it is noted that the use of AI also brings some challenges. Data privacy concerns and ethical use issues are among the areas that companies need to pay attention to.
Here are the steps ecommerce companies should take to successfully implement AI:
Strengthening data collection and analysis infrastructure
Investing in AI technologies
Educating employees on AI
Developing ethical use policies
In conclusion, the savings opportunities created by AI in e-commerce are rapidly transforming the industry, and companies that embrace these technologies and use them effectively will gain a competitive advantage.
For consumers, AI means better prices and personalized shopping experiences. In the coming years, AI’s role in e-commerce is expected to grow even more.
Robotic process automation (RPA) tools capable of completing tasks, such as chatbots and digital assistants, are defined as digital workforce. This workforce is supported by modern technologies such as cloud computing, big data, social media and artificial intelligence.
While RPA differs from traditional automation with its ability to integrate various systems and adapt to changing conditions, artificial intelligence support increases the decision-making capacity of these systems and the quality of interactive applications.
Artificial intelligence increases the efficiency of the digital workforce, making it possible to provide more complex and sophisticated solutions.
The digital workforce is shaped by various technologies, with robotic process automation at its center, and is evaluated in three main categories.
The first category, “basic process automation,” includes simple automation tools such as macros, scripts, and workflow technologies. These tools accelerate business processes by automating repetitive tasks.
The second category is defined as “advanced process automation” and includes technologies that can perform more complex tasks, such as chatbots and digital assistants, using artificial intelligence and natural language processing. Finally, “cognitive platforms” refer to software applications that can make sense of context and parse complex meanings. These platforms offer businesses the capacity to perform more in-depth analysis, the most advanced stage of digital labor.
What is a digital workforce and what are its benefits?
While digital workforces and RPA bots share many of the same components and capabilities, the key difference between the two technologies is that RPA bots are typically limited to single tasks or simple processes, while digital workforces are considered autonomous tools that can perform multiple tasks and interact intelligently with other systems.
In its simplest form, digital workforces are defined as systems that do the job automatically and do not require human interaction to do the job.
Being process-oriented rather than task-oriented, digital workforces can easily manage complex workflows that involve multiple tasks. Digital workforces can complete tasks in a very short time that would take a large number of human workers a long time to complete.
For example, a digital workforce that handles invoice processing end-to-end would ensure that the invoice passes through multiple departments, from sales to finance to procurement, whereas a traditional structure would require multiple employees to process the invoice throughout the process.
When the digital workforce is faced with options based on changing conditions, or when something goes wrong or some adjustments need to be made, they may need to make decisions. This is where artificial intelligence comes into play and uses its decision-making ability to ensure that the digital workforce does not experience any disruption.
The contributions of the digital workforce help individuals and institutions work more efficiently. Thanks to the digital workforce, employees can focus on more challenging and creative tasks by getting rid of boring and time-consuming tasks.
The digital workforce, which eliminates the human factor in processes, also prevents human errors. The digital workforce, which works 24/7, performs tasks without taking breaks. Thus, progress is made in business processes even when the staff is not actively working.
Where is the digital workforce used?
Digital workforces are found in almost every sector in today’s rapidly digitizing economy. Chatbots, which are widely used in customer service, are also taking on an increasing role in employee engagement processes. RPA bots manage data repositories used by the internet of things (IoT) and other technologies, taking on tasks such as data collection and integration with other systems.
A more powerful digital workforce is playing a role in large-scale, high-volume systems like banking, finance, insurance, and healthcare. In these sectors, digital workforces can improve the efficiency of processes, make it easier to manage complex operations, and give businesses a competitive advantage.
The rising star of the e-commerce world , Temu , has responded to the data security concerns that have been on the agenda in recent days. The company announced that customer data is safe and that there has been no leak. So, what is going on? Who is behind these claims?
“ The security and privacy of our customers’ personal information is our top priority ,” a Temu spokesperson told Cybernews . The company alleges that an unknown threat actor is attempting to profit from an alleged breach of Temu’s security systems.
The statement comes after allegations surfaced on a forum in the cybersecurity community known as Breached , which alleged that Temu’s customer data was being offered for sale. However, Temu strongly denies these claims.
Temu’s security team said it investigated the allegations and found no evidence of a data breach. “ We did not detect any anomalies or unauthorized access to our security systems, ” a company spokesperson added.
So why is this important? Temu is a rapidly growing e-commerce platform. It is particularly notable for its low prices and wide range of products. However, this rapid growth also brings security concerns.
Cybersecurity experts say e-commerce platforms are frequently targeted by cyberattacks , making them attractive targets because they house personal and financial information of millions of users .
Temu takes a proactive approach to such claims. The company emphasizes that it conducts regular security audits and uses the latest security technologies. It also warns its customers about possible phishing attacks.
However, these explanations do not satisfy some cybersecurity experts, who argue that Temu should be more transparent and allow for independent security audits.
This incident also raises a broader debate: How well do e-commerce platforms protect customer data? How vigilant should consumers be about the security of their personal information?
Here are some suggestions for you :
Use strong passwords and choose different passwords on each platform.
Enable two-factor authentication .
Avoid clicking on suspicious emails and links .
Choose not to save your credit card information .
Check your account activity regularly .
As a result, Temu’s statement has reignited the data security debate in the e-commerce world. No matter how much effort companies put into protecting customer data, consumers also need to take precautions for their own security. As the e-commerce world grows, it seems that the issue of data security will continue to remain on the agenda.
Urgency in sales is a strategic approach to accelerate customers’ purchasing decisions.
The aim of this strategy can be seen as a powerful motivator that creates fear of missing out (FOMO) in customers, driving them to buy quickly .
From a psychological perspective, this approach is based on the principle of scarcity. According to Robert Cialdini , the perceived value of a product increases when we think that it is in limited supply or available for a certain period of time.
Therefore, this strategy effectively uses this natural instinct by creating scenarios where products or services are scarce or time is limited.
The balance between creating urgency and providing enough value is crucial. The idea is not to pressure customers, but to guide them to recognize the opportunity they might “miss” if they don’t act now .
Essentially, it’s an approach that revolves around using urgency in selling to convince customers that now is the best time to buy .
The Impact of Emergencies on Purchasing Decisions
The concept of urgency in marketing focuses on Consumer Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), which, according to research, causes approximately 60% of consumers to make a purchase within 24 hours of seeing an offer . Learn more .
This shows how urgency can encourage quick purchasing decisions by exploiting our fear of missing out.
Urgency elicits a psychological response that makes a product more appealing, especially when it is in short supply.
Consumers often react strongly to the possibility of missing out on a limited-time offer or special deal , making the deal seem more valuable due to its rarity.
It’s also important to remember that urgency also impacts daily purchasing habits.
For example, according to a Bankrate survey , 2 in 5 social media users make impulse purchases because of urgency, influenced by what they see in their social media feeds.
8 Effective Strategies to Create Urgency in Sales + Real Examples
As we have all experienced, a sense of urgency can spur us into action.
This feeling of ‘now or never’ can be a big driver in our shopping choices.
But the important thing is to maintain balance.
You don’t want to pressure your customers, just give them a little incentive.
So, let’s take a look at one of the smart tactics I mentioned earlier, shall we?
1. Notify When Stock Is Low
Letting your customers know about your low inventory levels appeals to a basic principle of human psychology – the fear of missing out.
When we know that a product is about to run out, we want to act quickly before we lose that product.
Example of Creating Urgency in Sales:
Why Effective?
The phrase “Only 4 left” on the product page immediately signals scarcity to potential buyers.
This method uses the psychological scarcity principle described by Robert Cialdini , which posits that products in limited quantities are perceived as more valuable.
By stating that there are only a few pieces left, it encourages customers to act quickly for fear of missing out, speeding up the decision-making process.
How to Implement This Strategy Effectively:
To ensure accuracy, use systems that automatically update and display inventory levels on your website.
Highlight low-stock products in your marketing emails, social media posts, or homepage banners.
Show cart reminder pop-ups or push notifications to remind customers when items in their cart are running low on stock .
2. Show Recent Purchases, Testimonials, and Reviews
When potential buyers see others actively purchasing and enjoying your products , it builds trust and credibility, and encourages them to buy as well.
This method is particularly effective because it creates a sense of popularity and urgency; often when we see others making similar choices, we tend to join them.
Examples of Creating Urgency in Sales:
Showing Latest Purchases in Real Time->
Why Is It Effective?
When I visited this website, I was greeted with this notification: “Someone from Yonkers, New York recently purchased the Petite Delancey Top. Thanks dear! 16 HOURS AGO.”
This statement is a strong indicator that the product is wanted and in demand. Additionally, the real-time nature of these updates adds a sense of urgency, suggesting that the product is popular and likely to sell out soon , which can accelerate the purchase decision.
Methods to Implement This Strategy Effectively:
Integrate the latest purchase notifications that appear or pop up on your website in real time.
Create a section that highlights currently trending products based on real-time sales data. This highlights the popularity of the products and may persuade undecided buyers to make a purchase.
Encourage customers to mention in their reviews how quickly items are selling out. Phrases like “I got the last one!” or “Lucky I still found it in stock!” can increase the sense of urgency for other potential buyers.
3. Offer Seasonal/Event-Based Discounts
Seasonal promotions and event-based discounts give customers a compelling reason to act quickly.
It also gives the impression that the urgency is dictated by the natural cycle of the year, so that it never seems off-putting.
Example of Creating Urgency in Sales:
Why Effective?
A banner that says , “ Summer Sale Starts: Enjoy 20% off sitewide until midnight on July 4th ” is effective because it gives customers a clear deadline, which encourages them to act quickly to grab the deal. A specific deadline—‘midnight on July 4th’—increases the sense of urgency, motivating customers to buy sooner.
Methods to Implement This Strategy Effectively:
Identify specific dates and seasons that appeal to your customer base, such as back-to-school, Black Friday, or the start of summer, and plan your sales around those times.
Start promoting your seasonal sales in advance with teaser ads and sneak peeks. Remind customers of the upcoming deadline by increasing promotions as the date approaches.
your marketing campaigns around the season or event theme.
4. Offer Limited Time Package Deals
Limited-time package deals exploit the economic psychology of getting more for less .
When customers see that they can get more value for their money, but only for a short period of time, it drives them to make quicker decisions.
This is an attractive offer as it offers both savings and exclusivity .
Examples of Creating Urgency in Sales:
Blume’s Sweet 6th Anniversary Package Offer
Why it’s effective: Tying this bundle offer to Blume’s 6th anniversary adds a great sense of urgency.
Not only does this celebrate a milestone by highlighting the longevity and reliability of the brand, it also creates a temporary urgency with special anniversary discounts! Clever!
By offering more products at a lower price during the birthday event, the bundle deal makes it irresistible.
Bruvi Package Offer
Why it’s effective: Offering the Bruvi Brewer with coffee pods at a significant discount creates a huge reason to buy now.
This offer highlights not only the price reduction but also a huge savings , making it more attractive and urgent for the customer.
5. Use Countdown Timers
Countdown timers provide a constant visual reminder of how much (or how little) time is left to take advantage of an offer . This is psychologically compelling because it appeals to people’s fear of missing out (FOMO).
As the counter approaches zero, it can trigger a reaction to take immediate action to avoid missing out on an important opportunity.
Example of Creating Urgency in Sales:
Why Is It Effective?
As shown in the image, there is a prominent countdown timer next to the product. The timer counts down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until the offer ends; this is limited to the ‘Ends this week!’ offer only.
High visibility and constant updating of the counter creates a strong urgency to purchase before time runs out.
Implementing This Strategy Effectively:
Place the countdown timer in a prominent place on your website, near the offer. It should be one of the first things that appear to grab the visitor’s attention immediately.
Maximize urgency by pairing the countdown timer with special deals like limited-time sales, special editions, or seasonal sales.
Build anticipation and remind recipients of limited time left on special offers by incorporating countdown timers into your marketing emails.
Extra: If you want to use a countdown timer on your website right away, you can increase the urgency in your sales by following the steps here: How to Create a Countdown Timer Pop-up (With Examples)
6. Creating a Waiting List
When a product has a waitlist, it shows how long people have been waiting for it, and its limited availability makes it even more exciting.
This not only makes the product more valuable, but also gives customers the feeling of moving fast, so they feel like they have to hurry up to get their hands on the product.
Being on a waitlist also makes customers feel more committed to purchasing the product because they have already taken the first step toward getting it.
Example of Creating a Sense of Rush in Sales:
As you can see in your image, Hiut Denim Co. effectively uses the waitlist to create anticipation for their next “short run” product.
By inviting customers to join a waiting list, they not only collect potential buyer information but also create a ready audience of buyers when the product becomes available.
To Implement This Strategy Effectively:
Place waitlist invitations clearly on your product pages, especially for products that are out of stock or not yet available. Make sure it’s one of the first things a visitor sees.
Inform your customers about what it means to join a waitlist, potential wait times, and any perks that come with signing up, such as first access or special pricing.
Keep your waitlist subscribers informed of their status and periodically remind them about the availability of upcoming products.
7. Get Early Access to New Products or Promotions
By providing early access, you tap into your customers’ desire to be first, which can be a powerful motivator.
This approach also creates a VIP vibe around your offers, increasing perceived value and urgency. Customers are often more afraid of missing out on something special than they are of missing out on a regular sale.
Ways to Implement This Strategy Effectively:
Offer special membership or sign-up benefits that give you first access to new products or promotions.
Send early access invitations via email to your most loyal customers or those who subscribe to notifications.
Set a clear start and end date for early access, thus highlighting the limited window of opportunity.
8. Try BOGO (Buy One Get One Free)
BOGO deals are effective because they provide instant extra value. When customers feel like they’re getting more for their money, it can accelerate their purchasing decisions .
The limited nature of these offers in particular makes the deal too tempting to pass up and increases the sense of urgency.
Example of Creating Urgency in Sales:
Why Effective?
As you can see from the image you provided, Pela Case’s Summer BOGO Sale is a perfect example of this method. Presenting the promotion as a seasonal event increases its appeal by making it special and timely.
The summer theme and BOGO offer combine to provide an instant incentive for customers , encouraging them to buy now, knowing that this deal is seasonal and won’t last long.
Implementing This Strategy Effectively:
Make the terms of the BOGO offer clear so customers don’t get confused. Make it clear which product is included in the “buy one” and which is included in the “get one free” section.
Emphasize that the promotion is limited-time. You can emphasize this by tying the BOGO offer to specific events or seasons, like the Pela Case summer promotion.
Promote the BOGO offer using email marketing, social media, and pop-ups . Consistent messaging across these channels will help your customers become aware of the deal.
The Importance of Creating Urgency in Sales
Creating urgency in your sales isn’t just a strategy, it’s a cornerstone that can dramatically improve your customers’ decision-making process. When used wisely, businesses can speed up their purchasing decisions without pressuring their customers.
Speeds Up the Decision Making Process: Creating urgency in sales means speeding up the customer’s decision-making process.
By introducing the elements of scarcity and limited access, customers are guided to make quicker decisions, as previously outlined by Robert Cialdini’s scarcity principle.
Increases Perceived Value: Urgency naturally increases the perceived value of a product or service. When a product is scarce or only available for a limited time, it appears more desirable.
Provides a Competitive Advantage: Differentiating your product or service is important. Urgency can serve as a differentiator by making your offerings stand out.
As consumers perceive urgent opportunities as special and valuable, they are more likely to choose them over others that do not have an urgency factor.
Balances Demand and Supply: Effectively using urgency in sales also helps businesses manage their inventory more efficiently and dynamically balances demand and supply.
Companies can avoid overstocking or understocking situations by encouraging sales with urgency tactics.
Final Thoughts on Creating Urgency in Sales
Creating urgency in your sales, when done right, can be a powerful tool for driving faster purchasing decisions and increasing your sales .
Remember, it’s not about pressuring customers, but making them aware of what they could be missing out on if they don’t take action now.
Urgency helps customers overcome their indecision and take action.
All the strategies listed here are simple ways to give your sales a significant boost, from stock alerts to seasonal sales to ‘buy one, get one free’ tactics . They all come down to the same principle – the human psyche’s desire not to miss out on a good deal.
However, the principle of honesty and trust between you and your customers should not be compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How to Create a Sense of Urgency to Close the Sale
Creating a sense of urgency does not mean forcing the customer to rush, it means emphasizing the advantages of moving quickly.
You can use techniques like limited-time discounts or special bundles. It can also be helpful to show that there is high demand for your product or service, whether that’s through customer reviews or real-time updates on the number of items left in stock.
2. How to Create Urgency in B2B Sales?
B2B sales cycles tend to be longer, but urgency can still be effective. The key here is to fully understand your buyer’s needs and align urgency with those specific needs. If you can identify a pressing problem that your product or service can solve, emphasize the immediate benefits or losses that will be prevented by acting quickly. Limited-time specials or perks are also traditional but useful tactics .
3. How to Create Urgency Without Overwhelming the Customer
The key to creating urgency without overwhelming the customer is—spontaneity. It’s important that the scarcity or time constraint you present reflects reality and isn’t just a sales tactic.
Additionally, it is more important to assist the decision-making process by providing accurate and valuable information than to emphasize the need to act quickly. Tailor your communication to the recipient’s needs and respect the recipient’s decision-making process.
4. What is an Example of Creating a Rush Effect?
An ecommerce site might create a sense of urgency by displaying a low stock warning on a product page—“Only 2 items left in stock, order now!” Alternatively, a B2B software provider might offer additional services free of charge to customers who purchase within a certain period of time.
These strategies create a sense of urgency, increase perceived value, and encourage quick action, but are not overly aggressive or manipulative.
In the “ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence Tools in E-Export” guide published by the General Directorate of Export of the Ministry of Commerce, it is aimed to optimize the business processes of e-exporters, conduct market analysis, improve customer services, list products, advertise and market, open a website, use foreign languages.
Artificial intelligence tools that will help in many matters such as providing service are explained in detail.
Stating that the guide is a very comprehensive resource prepared in line with the goal of increasing the share of e-export in Turkey’s general exports to 10 percent, TOBB E-commerce Council Member and Ticimax E-commerce Systems Founding CEO Cenk Çiğdemli said, “Introduction, ChatGPT and The guide consists of 3 sections:
Other Artificial Intelligence Tools; In addition to discussing how artificial intelligence works, ChatGPT and its place in e-export, the comparison of two different versions of ChatGPT, 3.5 and 4.0, what to pay attention to when using it, and on which subjects it can be used, it also discusses other artificial intelligence tools such as Midjourney, Tailor Brands, OpusPro. A reviewing guide.
“This guide contains a lot of practical information for businesses that want to use artificial intelligence tools in e-export or e-commerce,” he said. Çiğdemli, who summarized the guide and underlined the important parts, shared the following information…
In the field of e-commerce, artificial intelligence is used effectively to analyze customer behavior, offer personalized product recommendations and optimize customer service processes.
Chatbots and virtual assistants provide a more satisfying shopping experience by quickly answering customer queries. In addition, artificial intelligence-supported systems contribute to the efficient inventory management of businesses by taking part in stock management and demand forecasting.
Artificial intelligence-supported systems are also used to determine the most effective shipping routes, reduce transportation costs and make distribution processes faster. Artificial intelligence helps prevent such problems by predicting possible disruptions in supply chain networks.
What to Pay Attention to When Using ChatGPT?
Ask open and detailed questions, be specific. For example, “Which are the most effective market research methods in e-export?” Asking specific questions such as allows you to get clearer and more useful answers. The context of the question to be asked to artificial intelligence must be clearly stated.
If a specific country, sector or target audience is of interest, this should be stated in the question. Positioning yourself as a business owner, market researcher or e-export consultant and asking questions from this perspective increases the quality of the answer to be received.
You should clarify what kind of information you need and what you need help with. For example, you may want information about product listing strategies for e-export, international shipping methods, or local market trends.
ChatGPT provides information about e-export trends and consumer behavior in certain countries or sectors. This can also be useful for market analysis. Engaging in an interactive dialogue with ChatGPT should not be avoided.
If the answer given is not completely satisfactory, the conversation needs to be deepened by asking for more details or clarification.
In Which Subjects Can We Benefit from ChatGPT?
Creating scenarios about how to respond to potential customer questions or objections and asking ChatGPT how it would respond to these scenarios can help your customer service team communicate more effectively.
You can also get help from ChatGPT to create custom sales and marketing messages for different target markets. You can ask ChatGPT how you can craft a marketing message for a specific target audience or market segment.
You can also stay on top of trends and developments in specific product categories, services or technologies using ChatGPT.
You can identify new business opportunities or get support while updating your existing strategies. For example; ChatGPT can analyze statistics in an Excel table containing your data. You can also use ChatGPT to generate content ideas for blog posts, social media posts, or email newsletters.
You can get strategies and advice on how to engage potential customers on social media. You can develop interactive materials, training modules and programs to train your teams through scenarios and simulations created with ChatGPT.
You can benefit from ChatGPT to constantly improve yourself and your team in e-export strategies, international trade regulations and intercultural communication. With ChatGPT, you can generate ideas to develop personalized shopping experiences and recommendations for your customers.
For example, you can prepare product recommendations or personalized marketing messages for specific customer profiles.
To explain in more detail, by using information such as the customer’s interests, shopping history, demographic structure (age, gender, location, etc.), ChatGPT recommends products suitable for this customer profile. ChatGPT also assists in developing email templates or communication strategies that can be used when communicating with suppliers.
It offers suggestions on ways to communicate effectively with business partners from different cultures. You can also use ChatGPT to learn about different logistics options and shipping strategies.
ChatGPT can help you plan your international shipping more effectively. You can use ChatGPT to learn about regulatory requirements and compliance standards in different markets. ChatGPT can help you reduce potential legal and business risks.
It helps you communicate in different languages, allowing you to offer your products and services to customers who speak different languages.
You can create scenarios to test market acceptance of your potential new products and evaluate these scenarios with ChatGPT. With ChatGPT, you can develop ideas and get opinions on potential improvements to improve your website’s user experience.
You can leverage ChatGPT to build a loyal customer base and strengthen your relationships with existing customers.
For example, you can use it to provide quick and effective responses to customer questions or send personalized thank you messages.
Detailed Commands Are Very Important
Effective usage in ChatGPT relies heavily on commands. In their simplest form, commands are clearly stated instructions that tell ChatGPT what to do. The efficiency and performance of ChatGPT directly depends on how the user gives commands.
The quality and accuracy of the outputs obtained with ChatGPT vary depending on the clarity and detail of the commands given. If commands are clear and specific, ChatGPT produces more effective and targeted responses.
The degree to which ChatGPT achieves the desired results is determined by the user’s ability to give commands and the nature of these commands. When interacting with ChatGPT, it is also important to clearly state the context and background of your command.
For example, when asking questions about a specific transportation method or route in logistics, taking into account factors such as current market conditions or certain geographical features allows you to get more realistic and applicable answers.
In another example, in the field of e-commerce, when requesting information about a specific product line or market segment, including elements such as current consumer trends or seasonal changes in your command helps ChatGPT provide more relevant and actionable answers. Such details enable artificial intelligence to expand the scope of its analysis and obtain deeper and more meaningful results.
Other Artificial Intelligence Tools That Can Be Used in E-commerce
-Midjourney is an artificial intelligence program used to create images using commands. Currently, this AI application is only accessible through the Discord bot. In Midjourney, better results are obtained when commands are written in English.
-Tailor Brands provides significant support to users in their corporate identity development process. This platform provides the user with the basic stages of branding, allowing the creation of corporate identity quickly and effectively.
With this artificial intelligence-based tool, users can easily design their brand’s logo, business cards, presentations and websites. As similar artificial intelligence tools; It can be said LogoAi, Logo-mockup, Looka.
-10Web IO artificial intelligence tool makes it easy for users to create websites. This platform allows users to integrate payment systems into created websites, contributing to the efficient establishment of e-commerce websites. As a similar artificial intelligence tool; DesignlyAi, it can be said. In the image below, the website installation process is started by clicking on the “Generate Your Website” option on the home page of the relevant website.
-Opus Pro is an artificial intelligence video editing software that makes it easy to create short clips from long-form videos. This software uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze videos and create relevant and interesting clips. As similar artificial intelligence tools; CapCut, PicsArt can be said.
-Invideo AI is a tool to create video content using text-based information. Users can enter the title of the topic they want to create a video into and have the type of video they want prepared. As similar artificial intelligence tools; Text to Video, Kaiber can be said. Invideo AI conducts research on the determined topic and starts producing the video requested by the users. It can be a 5-10 minute YouTube video or a short 1 minute video.
-Gamma App is a new platform that allows users to create documents, presentations and web pages in seconds using artificial intelligence. It’s designed to make it easy to create engaging content without the need for extensive formatting and design work. As similar artificial intelligence tools; MagicSlides, SlidesPilot can be said.
Getting Results: In the Gamma App artificial intelligence tool, the subject that the artificial intelligence is asked to prepare is written in the relevant field. By clicking the “Generate Online” button, the artificial intelligence tool starts preparing the presentation. Gamma can also prepare a presentation on a topic you enter as a command or a presentation on a document you upload.
-ElevenLabs is a voice AI research and distribution company with a mission to make content universally accessible in every language and voice. As similar artificial intelligence tools; WavoAi, Transcript can be said LOL. ElevenLabs is an AI tool that provides the ability to generate new speech in over 20 languages and existing voices.
ElevenLabs is an artificial intelligence tool that will make it easier for you to dub the videos you will use while running advertising campaigns in the field of e-export. For example; You can prepare a video via Invideo, one of the artificial intelligence tools in the guide, and then voice the video in the desired language with ElevenLabs.
-TLDV.io is an artificial intelligence tool that summarizes video content and extracts key points. It can work integrated with popular platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. It offers opportunities such as recording meetings, transcription and marking important moments. Users can easily share meeting summaries and key points and integrate with various collaboration tools.
TLDV.io; It is a useful tool that allows you to quickly and effectively benefit from video content in areas such as business, education and research.
In the modern world, where everyone strives to achieve their goals, it is important to have a clear action plan and guidelines. SMART goals help with this. Let’s explain what it is
SMART is a methodology that helps you define specific and measurable goals. The author of the method is considered to be strategic planning expert George Doran . The abbreviation SMART consists of the first five letters of English words:
S specific (specific);
M easurable (measurable);
A chievable (attainable);
R elevant (relevant);
T ime-Bound (limited in time).
Pros of SMART goals
SMART goals are one of the key elements of planning. Ctujlyz ‘ne concept is used not only in management, but also for personal goal setting. Let’s look at the main advantages.
Clarifies and specifies. SMART allows you to more clearly formulate the necessary tasks.
It helps you focus on key priorities . When setting SMART goals, a person or company needs to decide which goal is most important and achievable at the moment.
Increases motivation. When goals are formulated specifically, it is easier to notice the first successes on the way to them. Visible progress increases motivation and allows you to move forward.
Simplifies the planning process. A time limit allows you to focus resources on the most significant areas.
Disadvantages of SMART goals
Lack of creativity. This approach focuses exclusively on specific, measurable and realistic goals. This can limit creative thinking and the ability to strive for more ambitious projects.
Requires certain skills and experience. Lack of practice leads to mistakes at the goal setting stage.
May be too standard and generic . In such cases, details are not taken into account. As a result, the likelihood of missed deadlines and conflicts increases.
SMART goal criteria
Setting SMART goals is based on five criteria. Let’s look at the example of a personal goal: “I want to get in shape.”
Specificity
The goal must be clearly stated. Instead of a vague phrase, the goal should sound like this: “I plan to work out at the gym for at least 30 minutes three times a week, reduce my calorie intake by 15% daily, and increase my non-workout activity. All these actions will help me lose 7 kg in three months.”
Measurability
The goal must have specific units of measurement. For example, “the main goal is to lose 7 kg in three months.”
Reachability
It is important to consider the real resources you have to achieve your goal. “I have a gym membership, time for evening walks and planning my diet, and the financial means to undergo the necessary medical tests.”
Relevance
It is important to understand how solving a given problem will help achieve global, strategic goals. If you don’t have a clear understanding of the benefits, you’ll just be wasting your time\. For example: “I want to lead a healthy lifestyle to improve my physical and internal well-being.”
Limited time
You need to be clear about when you can get the desired result. For example: “I will lose 7 kg in three months by June 1, 2024.”
How to set SMART goals
To use SMART as effectively as possible, avoid mistakes and ensure goal achievement, goal setting should be carried out in five stages, advises the author of the book on setting and achieving goals, Arthur Luck.
State your goal
To specifically formulate a goal, at the first stage it is necessary to answer questions that will help identify the problem itself and clarify the desired result:
What don’t you like about the current situation?
What needs to be done, improved/corrected/changed?
What result do you need to get?
Adjust your goal depending on the situation
At the second stage, it is important to understand whether the chosen goal will really improve the situation. To assess whether the chosen goal is relevant to the current situation or whether its achievement is better postponed until better times, you should answer the questions:
Why is it important to do this?
What will change after achieving the goal?
Doesn’t the achievement of the chosen goal contradict or interfere with other tasks?
Assess the achievability of the goal
The next step evaluates the achievability of the selected goal. This will allow you to correctly draw up an action plan in the future and adequately estimate the time required to achieve the goal. To do this you need to answer the following questions:
Are the necessary resources available (finance, time, personnel, knowledge, experience, information, etc.)?
If resources are insufficient, where can they be replenished, and how much time and/or money will this require?
What negative circumstances can prevent you from achieving your goal?
What is the likelihood of negative circumstances occurring?
How can you avoid/minimize the impact of negative circumstances?
Determine realistic time frames for achievement
Next, the time it will take to achieve the goal is determined. To plan your time correctly, you should answer the following questions:
By what time should I get the result?
How long can achievement of the goal be delayed if negative factors influence?
Is there a time reserve in case of negative circumstances?
Decide how you will track progress
The last stage is to determine metrics that will reflect progress in achieving the goal and the final result:
What metrics can be used to measure progress and the final goal?
Which of the possible metrics is better to choose and why?
How often should you track progress?
What metric values will indicate that the goal has been achieved?
“No matter how deeply the goal is developed, the possibility of force majeure always remains. For this reason, it is important to be able to adjust both individual indicators and update the entire goal taking into account actual changes in circumstances.
Proper preparation and use of the SMART method will allow you not only to set a corporate or personal goal, but also to lay a reliable foundation for success in achieving it,” explained Arthur Luck.
Examples of SMART goals
The founder of the consulting company Yard.Consulting, Elena Yard, shared examples of goals set according to the SMART system in business.
Example 1: “Increase sales of brand X in Russia by 25% by the end of 2024.”
The specificity of the goal is determined by indicating the percentage of growth, sales region and brand name. The goal is time-limited and can be measured using company sales statistics.
Achievability can be determined by company specialists. For example, a brand has received the necessary level of investment to increase sales. The goal is significant because it is directly related to business performance.
Example 2: “Introduce company X’s products in quantity Y to the top 10 key retail chains by July 2024.”
The specificity of the goal is confirmed by indicating the number of positions and the list of networks. The goal has a clear deadline and can be measured by checking the shipment of goods. The achievability of the goal can be assessed by a sales specialist. The goal is significant, since distribution to key networks is of great importance for the company.
Example 3. “Achieve a 51% level of knowledge about product X among the 25-35 year old audience three years after launch.”
The specificity of the goal is confirmed by indicating the target audience and the brand name. The goal is time limited. Can be measured using a survey. Achievability is determined by company specialists.
For example, the company will allocate the necessary amount of investment to achieve the target. The goal is significant, since the level of consumer knowledge about the product has a direct correlation with the level of sales of the product.
Common problems when setting SMART goals
Experts and current businessmen have identified the most common problems that arise when formulating goals and proposed solutions to overcome them.
Not meeting criteria
The main problems when setting SMART goals arise with the criteria of achievability and relevance, since they depend solely on the knowledge, experience and beliefs of the person setting the goal, said Arthur Luck. The subjectivity of these factors carries the risk of not achieving the set goal, even if its formulation is specific, measurable and has a time limit.
“For example, an entrepreneur now earns ₽10 million a year, but sets a goal for next year of ₽1 billion. It cannot be said that the goal is unattainable; one day he can really achieve such figures. But after digitizing the process of achieving the goal, it becomes clear that this will take more than one year.
This can cause a drop in motivation, and the person will stop moving towards the goal altogether. To avoid such a situation, you need to set more realistic goals based on current indicators,” recommends Elena Yard.
Lack of task distribution
Another common problem is related to the incorrect distribution of tasks when achieving a goal. For example, a businessman has established that he wants to achieve certain indicators within three years. But the goal was not decomposed – not broken down into step-by-step stages.
As a result, the process of achieving a goal becomes chaotic and unpredictable. To avoid this situation, you need to write down SMART goals, for example, for every month. This will allow you to record intermediate results and see how you are getting closer to your overall goal, explains Yard.
Long formulation process
Often, managers formulate goals for a long time and painstakingly, and after they achieve the desired formulation, they work on it for months or years. It is recommended not to forget that planning, including using SMART goals, must be flexible, which means you must always be ready to make adjustments based on new information received, summed up the Deputy General Director of the SEO company Skobeev and Partners Margarita Bazhenova.
The United States is seriously thinking about developing an economy on the Moon. Representatives of major companies are thinking about technical solutions to return people to the Earth’s satellite
What’s the trend?
According to preliminary estimates , by 2040 the global space market will generate $1 trillion in profit. In addition to expanding the capabilities of satellite
communications in space, scientific research is being carried out, new medicines and technologies are being developed . This will help humanity better understand its place in the Universe, study the origin of life and the likelihood of the presence of alien creatures.
NASA plans to land humans on the Moon again as part of the Artemis program. However, not only the space agency is interested in flying to the Earth’s satellite. The lunar economy was taken up by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
DARPA is a key organization that supports successful new technologies for the benefit of the US Military. In particular, DARPA participated in the first launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 rocket. In 2023, the agency announced that it was starting research on LunA-10 to understand how to ensure the development of the lunar economy by 2035.
In December 2023, DARPA announced that it was collaborating with 14 different companies on the LunA-10 program, ranging from Northrop Grumman and SpaceX to Nokia. They are required to submit a report by June 2024. However, already in March, the first document on the research results appeared.
Its author is listed as Michael Nayak, director of LunA-10. He said: “Based on the technical work on LunA-10, I have identified six proposals. If we can achieve revolutionary improvements in technology using them, it is possible to accelerate the creation of a lunar economy directly.”
Promising areas of work
DARPA analysts revealed Nayak’s research in more detail. As a result, six specific areas of work emerged .
District heating and cooling
The lunar daily cycle is such that at every point on the surface of the Earth’s satellite, with the exception of the poles, day and night alternate every two weeks. Because of this, the surface cools significantly and then heats up greatly. In this regard, DARPA analysts propose to develop a centralized heating unit, like in skyscrapers.
Users will be able to connect to a thermal node on the Moon using compact devices and pay on a dollar-per-kilowatt basis. The scientific work emphasizes that such a model will be “an analogue of terrestrial energy systems and a fundamental factor in the lunar economy.”
Lunar exploration
It is important to study what resources actually exist on the Moon. Scientists are confident that water and oxygen can be found at its poles. To better explore the Moon, DARPA is looking for several satellites that could study the surface from an altitude of 15 km.
Silicon wafer production
It is planned to obtain information about the potential production of large (more than 40 cm) silicon wafers for supercomputers on the lunar surface. Hypothetically, the lunar environment has advantages in terms of temperature, pressure and gravity.
Use of microbes
Microorganisms perform many critical functions, from recycling waste to producing food and medicine. The goal is to combine lunar resources with biotechnology to create a closed-loop production cycle.
Mining
The Moon contains many valuable elements, including uranium and thorium. But their content in rocks is relatively small. To this end, DARPA is “seeking information on new mining methods and/or system designs that can dramatically increase throughput, enrichment, and reprocessing.”
Lunar GPS system
The lunar economy will be concentrated in a few resource-rich areas. In this regard, it is unlikely that in the near future there will be a need to create a positioning system covering the entire territory of the Earth’s satellite. However, DARPA is looking for “very low power solutions to generate, maintain, and exchange signals on the Moon independent of Earth.”
Plans are not yet funded
Despite the ambitious set of desired capabilities, it is important to note that for now, DARPA’s application is just a “request” for more information. It does not compel the federal government to act. However, it is clear that the agency, which has an annual budget of $4 billion, has a serious interest in lunar commercial activities. It’s now up to companies to provide innovative solutions to these technical problems by the summer of 2024.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1 million cases of sexually transmitted infections are reported every day worldwide. The list contains more than 30 different diseases, the main ones being syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and HIV. In Europe in 2022, the number of gonorrhea cases increased by 48% compared to the previous year. Such data indicate that the disease is gradually accumulating resistance to drugs. This problem is most pronounced in China.
Gonorrhea is an infectious disease that is sexually transmitted. Previously, it was treatable with antibiotics. In the 2020s, health officials warned that gonorrhea was becoming increasingly drug-resistant.
In 2023, two people in the United States were diagnosed with gonorrhea infection with absent or decreased susceptibility to all medications for it. People were cured with injections of one of the drugs in extremely high doses. However, representatives of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state: “Right now there is little standing between people and untreatable gonorrhea.”
Danger to China
The frightening trend is confirmed by data from other countries. At the end of March 2024, a study of gonorrhea bacterial isolates (the name given to individual bacteria that were isolated from a common sample for further research) was published . Chinese scientists have found that the disease’s resistance to ceftriaxone, one of the main drugs used to treat it, has increased significantly between 2017 and 2021. In 2022, the number of such strains amounted to about 8% of the 3 thousand collected isolates, compared to 3% in 2017.
The figures may seem small, but compared to other countries they are extremely high. In the US, the prevalence of ceftriaxone-resistant strains between 2017 and 2021 was about 0.2%, in Canada, – 0.6%, in the UK, it was 0.21% in 2022.
Drug resistance
Ceftriaxone is one of the main drugs for treating gonorrhea, since the disease has developed resistance to almost all other drugs over the past few decades: to penicillin and tetracycline in the 1980s, to fluoroquinolones in the 1990s.
By 2007, CDC recommended cephalosporins, but in 2010 the treatment protocol was changed again. CDC officials recommended that doctors combine cephalosporins with other types of antibiotics. But this also turned out to be useless. Since then, ceftriaxone is the last drug used in the United States to treat gonorrhea infections.
Incomplete data
In China, the rapid spread of ceftriaxone-resistant strains is causing extreme concern among doctors. The data were obtained from 2.8 thousand isolates from 13 provinces of the country. This represents 2.9% of all cases reported in China in 2022. Five of the 13 provinces had prevalence rates above 10%, and another three had rates above 25%.
However, the published study has its limitations:
the number of reported cases of gonorrhea is likely to be underestimated – in addition to gaps in reporting, many people with gonorrhea have no symptoms, so they do not seek treatment;
The isolates obtained by the researchers accounted for less than 3% of the total number of reported cases, so it is possible that the prevalence rates do not reflect the complete data ;
The researchers did not have detailed case data to help identify specific risk factors for the development of resistance.
The need to work together
The study authors note: “The data highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the problem of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea in China. We need to identify factors that contribute to such high levels of resistance, especially in provinces where rates exceed 10%.”
The scientists also state that their work is not only an alarming discovery for China, but also an urgent problem for global health. They write: “These resistant strains have spread throughout the world. Collaborative international efforts will be critical to monitoring and mitigating further spread.”
