Evolution of Social Media: Future Online Shopping

You walk into a store. The store is open and the lights are on. Products are on the shelves but there is no one there. No storekeeper, employees, or other customers. You silently walk through the store glancing at each product. This is the way Ashley John Heather, from dotbox for MESA Global, sees the current online shopping experience. He discussed this issue a few weeks ago to BusinessInsider.com.
He went on explaining an innovative idea for how online shopping will be in the future. Customers will log on to a store’s website. Then, similar to Facebook chat, consumers will be able to chat with others (who are also on the same website) about products, services, reviews, and recommendations. This allows communication with real people as if you were standing right next to them in a physical store. It brings online customer reviews to the next level. Some websites already have the feature to chat with real-life representatives, like Apple.com.
This new way of online shopping would allow consumers to confidently purchase an item online. This would benefit businesses as well. Mr. Heather explains that a lot of current businesses have split personalities, depending on what medium they are communicating through. Company Facebook and Twitter lean toward humor while company websites stay with a traditional, professional feel. This can confuse consumers who base their time with companies purely on social media. The new way of online shopping allows businesses to stick to their personality and image, which in turn creates better relationships with customers.
Mr. Heather describes dotbox.com. This company encourages any business using eCommerce (online buying and selling) to take advantage of this revolutionary idea. The company’s website declares that social commerce is here to stay. Mr. Heather concludes his article with the idea of a main hub. As of now, it seems Facebook would be an appropriate place.
As exciting as it seems, there will always be the question of privacy. This new way of online shopping will require people to provide more personal information. Will this revolutionary idea actually carry out? Food for thought.