How to Prepare Your Online Store for Voice Commerce

Voice-activated shopping — also known as voice commerce and driven by voice technology — has evolved from a futuristic concept into a real, rapidly growing channel for online purchases. With the rise of smart assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, more consumers are using their voices to search for products, add items to their carts, and complete purchases — all without touching a screen. This shift in consumer behavior highlights the growing trust and reliance on voice-enabled devices to enhance the e-commerce landscape.

In fact, voice commerce has shown impressive growth, having increased by over 321.74% in just the last two years, fueled by the demand for hands-free convenience in multitasking environments like driving, cooking, or managing a busy household. It’s not just a novelty — it’s a shift in how customers expect to interact with brands and online stores. Many consumers appreciate the seamless user experience and the ability to make purchases using familiar phrases like “Hey Siri” or “Hey Cortana,” illustrating the role of the human voice in modern shopping.

In this blog, we’ll break down what voice commerce is, why it matters for improving customer experience, and how retailers can start integrating voice-activated shopping into their eCommerce experience. From benefits and tools to implementation tips, this is your roadmap to future-ready retail.

What Is Voice-Activated Shopping?

Voice-activated shopping, also known as voice commerce, is the process of buying products online using voice commands instead of typing or tapping. It typically happens through smart devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple’s Siri — which are examples of AI-powered voice assistants either on smart speakers, smartphones, or wearables.

What makes voice shopping different from traditional online shopping is its speed and convenience. There’s no need to scroll through pages or fill out forms — it’s a hands-free experience that feels more conversational. This kind of frictionless interaction enhances the buying experience and is especially useful for repeat customers or when customers are multitasking.

Voice commerce also fits naturally into an omnichannel shopping journey. Customers might ask a smart speaker for product recommendations at home, receive a link on their phone, and complete the purchase later. It’s not replacing other channels — it’s complementing them by making shopping easier and more accessible wherever the customer happens to be.

Why Voice Commerce Matters for Retailers

Voice commerce is becoming a game-changer for modern retailers — and it’s all about how customers live and shop today. With millions of households now using voice assistants daily, these tools are no longer just for setting timers — they’re guiding shopping decisions and completing purchases in seconds.

For retailers, voice commerce offers a faster, easier way to reach customers. It simplifies everyday shopping tasks like reordering shampoo, checking delivery status, or finding quick product info — all without lifting a finger.

Voice builds loyalty. When a customer says, “Alexa, reorder my shampoo,” and it’s your product that gets delivered again and again, you’ve secured a repeat customer with zero clicks. It creates habits that drive long-term revenue.

How Voice Shopping Works Behind the Scenes

Voice-activated shopping might sound effortless to the customer, but there’s powerful tech running the show. When someone says, “Hey Alexa, buy face wash,” the voice assistant searches through connected platforms to find a match.

That’s where Natural Language Processing (NLP) comes in. Voice queries are conversational — AI interprets phrases like “get me something for dry skin” instead of exact-match search terms.

Personalization also plays a big role. Voice assistants often rely on purchase history and behavior to make relevant suggestions — a win for both customer convenience and retailer conversions.

Steps to Make Your Store Voice-Friendly

• Optimize for Voice Search: Use natural, conversational language — FAQs are a great place to start.
• Use Structured Data: Schema markup helps voice assistants understand your products.
• Integrate with Voice Platforms: Explore Alexa Skills, Google Actions, or retail API tools.
• Focus on Mobile Optimization: Most voice queries happen on smartphones, so your mobile UX matters.
• Streamline Reordering: Make repeat purchases fast and easy with saved preferences.
• Enable Voice Commands in Your App: Add simple voice prompts like “track my order” to enhance the experience.

Tools & Technologies That Power Voice Commerce

Voice commerce relies on smart technology like the Amazon Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) and Google Assistant SDK. These frameworks let you build voice experiences that help users reorder items, check promotions, or get updates.

Platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce also support voice plugin integrations. Even if you start small, adding voice capabilities to your customer support or reordering flow can make a big difference.

Common Challenges (and How to Overcome Them)

• No Visual Confirmation: Voice shopping lacks the visuals users rely on for decision-making. To combat this, brands can use clear voice confirmations that summarize the item, size, price, and expected delivery before the order is finalized. This helps reduce hesitation and improves customer trust.
• Building Consumer Confidence: Without a screen, it’s harder to sell something new. That’s why voice commerce performs best with repeat customers and frequently reordered items. If a shopper has already purchased a product, they’re more likely to use voice commands to buy it again — no visuals needed.
• Limited Product Discovery: Unlike traditional eCommerce browsing, shoppers won’t scroll through dozens of voice-suggested products. Keep voice flows focused on bestsellers, common reorders, and category leaders. Use smart recommendations based on purchase history to make the process feel personal.
• Integration Complexity: Voice technology used to require custom development. Today, tools like Alexa Skills, Google Assistant Actions, and prebuilt voice plugins for eCommerce platforms make integration much more approachable — no need for a full rebuild. Start with the basics and expand over time.

Real Examples of Voice Commerce in Action

Major retailers are already seeing the value of voice commerce. Walmart and Target have integrated voice shopping capabilities with Google Assistant, allowing customers to add items to their carts or complete orders with simple commands. Domino’s has taken it a step further, enabling users to reorder their favorite pizza via Alexa or Google Home — no app or website needed.

Dominos Voice Assistant

Even smaller businesses are joining the movement. Imagine a pet supply store enabling a command like, “Alexa, reorder dog food from Bark & Co.” This kind of voice shortcut creates convenience and loyalty — all without needing to browse, search, or tap a screen.

The takeaway? Voice commerce isn’t just for giants with big budgets. It’s for any business that values simplicity, repeat business, and a seamless user experience.

Conclusion: Voice Commerce is Now

Voice commerce has evolved from a futuristic idea into a powerful tool reshaping how many consumers shop. With voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri embedded in daily life, shoppers expect to interact with brands using natural speech — not just screens.

Businesses that adopt voice technology early will benefit from ber customer loyalty, easier reordering, and a frictionless buying experience. Whether it’s simplifying repeat purchases or offering hands-free support, voice commerce is here — and it’s only growing.