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Today, we want to give you a few ideas to get started with Alexa skills. To make it simple, we’ve divided them by sector.
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Retail

The majority of people prefer voice search over text based (VCI 2023). When it comes to retail based search, this number reaches 56% usage in the US, and around 40% in the UK and Germany. We use voice as a tool to research, decide and purchase. We see that this is becoming a common usage pattern for conversational AI as well.

So, if you’re looking to develop a skill for your brand, focus on helping customers answer questions about your products and brand, as well as rewarding loyalty. Make use of the Alexa in-built features like the add-to-cart functionality, which allows customers to shop directly through the skill.

When it comes to introducing your products to the right audience, Amazon audio ads might just be the thing. These are an intuitive way to connect with audiences on Alexa devices, in between their music sessions, and in the comfort of their own homes.

Connection, ease, and information are key when designing Alexa skills for retail customers.
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Entertainment

Even though Alexa has grown in different directions in the past few years, entertainment is still a big part of its appeal.

However, access to entertainment is not enough – what people are looking for is a personalised experience. So, if your brand operates in this sector, using Alexa to help people find, watch and listen to custom recommendations will set you apart from other brands.

Turning traditional experiences, like a well-known, beloved game, into their voice version is also an amazing way to appeal to an already loyal audience. After all, games are meant to be fun and easy, and even enjoyed with friends, which is what Alexa already does so well!

For those in the US, keep an eye on Amazon Themes, a feature from Amazon, to connect audiences with their favourite movies, artists, and more through an interactive experience. Vixen Labs, now part of House 337, worked with Amazon Alexa on the Avatar: The Way of Water Theme to help promote the movie ahead of its release, and fans were delighted!

Finding the right spot between what audiences already know and like, and introducing them to new media is how Alexa works best in entertainment.
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Customer Service

Alexa is a godsend when it comes to taking pressure off busy customer teams, while increasing the level of customer support available.

From providing troubleshooting to FAQs and easy login links, there are many opportunities to explore in this area. Think about it this way – you can answer your customers’ most pressing questions, and they can access them from their living room. There’s no need to queue on the phone, or outside a physical outlet, because a skill can be used immediately and simultaneously by thousands of people.

Always put your customers’ needs first and think about going that extra mile to make their lives a little easier each day. Get more insights on how AI and LLMs are transforming customer services here.
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Customer Experience

Creating frictionless experiences is about designing with the customer in mind – and Voice experiences lend themselves to this by their use of natural language.

Vixen Labs, now part of House 337, is working with Human Touch Massage Chairs to upgrade their existing app with a voice-activated virtual therapist. Users will be able to operate the chair through voice interactions that feel like speaking to a personal massage therapist – bringing a whole new level of relaxation. By taking away the need for a remote or screen, using instead the power of conversation, the experience can become more natural, delightful and human. 

David Wood, CEO of Human Touch, says "This remarkable technology underscores our steadfast commitment to innovation. We want to empower our chair owners to place wellness at the forefront of their lives like never before."

When it comes to customer experience, consider ways Voice can be integrated into devices in the home or workplace, reducing friction and increasing customer loyalty.
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Finance

In the past, Voice in finance was met with resistance from customers. The good news is that people are warming up to the idea more and more (VCI 2023). Why? Because there are so many advantages, the biggest one being ease of use.

You might be familiar with voice ID authentication, introduced by banks like Natwest to improve their telephone banking services. This saves so much time. Instead of going through all those hardcore verification steps that require you to remember a million passwords, pins… your date of birth, and your first pet’s name, you can now access the support team just by using your voice.

When it comes to voice skills, ease is still key. People want to be able to check their balance, credit score, and even find the best financial products for themselves, all in a streamlined, handy way.

In 2016, Capital One was the first company to offer an Alexa interaction for their customers. Yes, that’s 2016 – voice banking is not that new. Their skill allows people to access all their Capital One accounts, as well as check their spending habits. This is the power of voice tech – taking something as tedious as checking your bank balance and turning it into a seamless process.

When it comes to voice and finances, always consider how you can make banking easier and more rewarding for your customers. To explore more of the benefits of Voice and AI for Financial Services, read our whitepaper.
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How House 337 can help

We can help you create the right skill, strategy and experiences for your customers. Get in touch using the form below, and we’ll get you started!