Flipkart launches audio-guided tool for first-time shoppers in Hindi and English

India’s leading ecommerce marketplace Flipkart has introduced a ‘Smart Assistive Interface’, which aims to handhold first-time ecommerce users using audio-guided navigation.

Called ‘Flipkart Saathi’, this feature will be available in Hindi and English to start with and the ecommerce major claims it is their attempt to further humanise online transactions.

“With this feature, Flipkart aims to empower consumers across Tier II, III cities and beyond in rural India as it seeks to bring the next 200 million consumers online,” the company said in a release.

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The assistive interface feature aims at mimicking the typical real-life shopping experience for consumers who are comfortable being assisted by a salesperson. It uses a combination of text and audio-based instructions to guide new users in their ecommerce journey. This includes a list of key actions in the form of pop-up texts followed by audio for a better understanding.

“As audio is simple to follow and offers relatability, consumers can follow the instructions in a more immersive manner,” it said.

Industry research suggests that 90 percent of new internet users in India are native language speakers, hence it becomes imperative to offer a native ecommerce experience to impart familiarity, comfort and aid in decision making.

With this assistive interface, users will be able to see relevant information and search for their desired products in Hindi – a language whose internet user base is expected to outgrow English in India by the year 2021.

Flipkart undertook extensive research for nearly a year, speaking with consumers yet to transact on ecommerce, and occasional users in Tier II cities to understand how assistive interface as a concept, resonates with end users.

In its study, the company realised that while new users are able to skim through some products on their own, filtering options and choosing brands or variants is where they required assistance. Hence, audio-guided guided navigation becomes essential.

Through consecutive studies, Flipkart tested initial concepts and recorded how users react to onboarding, flow and what value they derive from assistive interfaces.

Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Group Chief Executive Officer, Flipkart, said, “Flipkart is committed to bringing the next 200 million consumers online and solving for that in every possible manner. As 80 to 90 percent of our resources are devoted towards building the ecosystem for Bharat, we are confident of such initiatives bringing about a massive change in our efforts to democratize e-commerce in India.” 

(Edited by Saheli Sen Gupta)

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