Live streaming and e-commerce are two of the greatest inventions of the internet era. Now, they are starting to converge, and this partnership could lead to even greater developments in both fields.
If you own an e-commerce store, you need to consider how implementing live streaming can help your business. It could be that, in the future, live shopping is the most popular option. It means that business owners who don’t get on board with it now could be left behind.
The Rise of Live Streaming in E-commerce
Live streaming has undergone an impressive rise over the last ten years, and it’s now one of the most commonly used platforms on the internet. At first, it was primarily used by online casinos to transmit table games with real-world dealers to players in their homes. That’s still one of its main uses, but the offerings have evolved greatly. For instance, nowadays blackjack casino games include new versions like Lightning Blackjack and Mega Fire Blaze Blackjack.
Because of the mass interest in live streaming at online casinos, the platform spread into other industries. Recently, it has emerged as a new facet of e-commerce sites, offering businesses a novel way to connect with customers and market their products. It isn’t as widely used in e-commerce as it is at online casinos and on social media sites yet, but it is likely to have a major impact in the years ahead.
Successful Uses of Live Streaming in E-commerce
There are already a few massive e-commerce stores that are using live streaming, so that should act as an indication for smaller businesses to jump on it as well. The platform has been particularly popular in China, with Alibaba’s Taobao Live acting as a welcome addition to the household brand’s services.
Hosts and influencers showcase products in real time, and it’s possible for customers to interact and click to purchase within the stream. This offering is a leader in the industry, and it has already revolutionised online shopping in China.
Nordstrom has begun to integrate live streaming to offer virtual styling sessions, meaning that customers can receive personalised fashion advice in real time. This is something that has been missing from the online fashion market, but a problem that live streaming appears able to fix.
Why Should You Implement a Live-Streaming Strategy in Your Business?
There are various reasons why you should think about implementing a live-streaming strategy in your e-commerce business. One of the biggest advantages is that it allows you to create engaging content, with themes that resonate with your target audience. This can come in the form of product launches and question-and-answer sessions.
A live stream also gives you a chance to connect with your audience and form a powerful bond. Research has found that 88 per cent of customers who trust a brand will buy from them again, highlighting why this connection is so important.
Live streaming is one of the greatest innovations of the internet era, and it’s set to change the face of e-commerce. It’s time for all e-commerce owners to start benefiting from the technology.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
