Today, visual search retail is picking up pace as it is growing to be more important. But what is visual search? And what does it bring to retail?
You may have already heard about visual search. But if you are not, then this article is for you. Let us see what visual search means.
Then, we will see why it is now important for online retailers. So, read on.
What is Visual Search?
Visual search is what you would expect it to be. Instead of doing a text-based search, you would need to use imagery to search on the internet.
But no, visual search is not the same as image search. As image search would still need the use of text to look for images. In visual search, there is no use to use text, you will only need to use images.
For example, that picture frame in your office looks nice but you do not know where to buy it. So, using your phone, all you need to do is take a picture of said frame.
Then, use a visual search app that will help you look for the item. You then get instant results for the frame. And these results are more accurate. So, no need to sift through hundreds of irrelevant results.
The thing that you will need to do if you did a text-based search. Also, you would have a hard time describing the frame. And you might get results that look very different.
But what makes visual search possible? Artificial intelligence and machine learning.
So, what makes visual search important in retail?
Visual Search Retail
There are a lot of benefits to using visual search. But the sector that enjoys them the most? Yes, retail.
Let us go back to the picture frame earlier. After doing a visual search, various results will come up. Like details about the frame, similar images, and more importantly, links to e-commerce sites that sell it.
Thus, it is not easier to look for items more than ever. Looking for a jacket the same as your friend’s? Looking for that same sunglasses that you broke?
Well, all you need to do is take a picture of them and you get instant results. No more irrelevant results you get from text-based searches.
Aside from that, it is now easier to look for promos using visual search. What does this mean for retailers? Product discovery becomes easier.
And this is vital. A sale can only happen when product discovery starts. How else will potential customers buy from you if they do not know what you are selling, right?
Thus, it is now crucial for brands to adopt a visual search strategy. Brands that did are already enjoying a higher ROI. But how?
For one, they will need to post as many pictures as they can. Also, these should show various angles. Thus, raising the chance of customers finding them.
Last Words
As you can see, visual search is now growing to be a crucial helper to retailers. Do you agree?
