By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: A majority of Singapore consumers happy to buy things over WhatsApp: Twilio
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Enterprise > A majority of Singapore consumers happy to buy things over WhatsApp: Twilio
EnterpriseInternetSoftware

A majority of Singapore consumers happy to buy things over WhatsApp: Twilio

Alfred Siew
Last updated: October 4, 2022 at 10:39 PM
Alfred Siew Published October 4, 2022
4 Min Read
SHARE
PHOTO: Webster2703 from Pixabay

If you’ve ever bought something over WhatsApp, for example, by messaging the seller and paying for it after checking out features or price, then you are among the majority of people in Singapore, according to a new study.

Six in 10 Singapore consumers would like to make purchases directly through a conversational messaging app, according to the survey released today by Twilio, which develops software tools for businesses to manage communications with customers.

The research also reveals that close to four in 10 people in the country would would spend at least 20 per cent more on a brand that offers conversational messaging.

The numbers come from a survey of 3,900 consumers in 10 countries, including Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and India in Asia-Pacific.

In Singapore, a high 72 per cent of those interviewed said they would make purchases over WhatsApp, with Facebook Messenger coming in second at 40 per cent, followed by Instagram at 30 per cent.

The findings are further proof of the distributed nature of today’s digital and online storefronts.

Rather than just buying from an e-commerce site, people are increasingly happy to add items to a basket when they come across it, say, on a ride hailing app or after chatting with a seller over a WhatsApp business account.

This means businesses have to look beyond their traditional e-commerce channels to reach new customers in an increasingly competitive online market.

Besides having their own e-commerce site and partnering a large third-party retailer such as Amazon, they have to increasingly connect with customers on the apps these customers use most often.

One advantage of this approach is the personal touch that conversational messaging apps such as WhatsApp can offer, thus delivering the “high touch” customer service that a traditional brick-and-mortar shop used to offer, according to Twilio.

Key to this is harnessing the so-called zero- or first-party data from customers, that is, the information provided by customers when they communicate directly with a business, according to the company.

“Ultimately, inflationary pressures and fears of a recession have meant that customers today are more deliberate in the decisions they make, and are keen to learn more about what they’re buying,” said David Coghill, head of solutions engineering for APJ at Twilio.

“The onus is thus on the brands to provide the level of interaction to meet the needs of curious customers,” he added.

One thing from the study that businesses should take note of is the use of chatbots. Yes, those robotic responses that are thrown at customers, often annoying them.

Apparently, three-quarters of Singapore respondents have had at least one conversation with chatbots in the past month, but only 41 per cent said they could solve their issues with these chatbots.

And would they rather talk to a human? Yes, 71 per cent of those in Singapore said so.

You Might Also Like

As TikTok faces a possible ban in the US, should users elsewhere be worried?

Foodpanda to use Gogoro electric scooters in battery swapping trial with Cycle & Carriage

RedCap: A new cellular IoT technology for the 5G era

Debate on computational photography misses what’s real, what’s lived outside a frame

Q&A: Delivering movies digitally and securely from around the world

TAGGED: chatbot, conversational messaging, distributed e-commerce, e-commerce, messaging, online retail, Twilio, WhatsApp

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Alfred Siew October 4, 2022
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
Avatar photo
By Alfred Siew
Follow:
Alfred is a writer, speaker and media instructor who has covered the telecom, media and technology scene for more than 20 years. Previously the technology correspondent for The Straits Times, he now edits the Techgoondu.com blog and runs his own technology and media consultancy.
Previous Article DJI Avata review: A first-person view for new drone pilots
Next Article Hands on: Xiaomi 12T Pro smartphone comes with an eye-catching 200MP camera
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Oppo Find N2 Flip review: A worthy flip phone alternative to Samsung
Cellphones Mobile March 26, 2023
As TikTok faces a possible ban in the US, should users elsewhere be worried?
Cybersecurity Internet March 24, 2023
Foodpanda to use Gogoro electric scooters in battery swapping trial with Cycle & Carriage
Enterprise Internet March 23, 2023
RedCap: A new cellular IoT technology for the 5G era
Enterprise Software Telecom March 23, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?