Salesforce Commerce Cloud continues to be a powerful tool for ecommerce businesses. In 2024, Salesforce has introduced several key updates to enhance its platform, focusing on advanced AI-driven personalization, seamless omnichannel integration, optimized checkout experiences, and expanded B2B-B2C capabilities. These features empower businesses to deliver more engaging, personalized, and efficient customer experiences. Let’s explore these Salesforce Commerce Cloud updates in depth, examining how they can benefit both retailers and customers in today’s competitive digital landscape.

AI-Powered Personalization with Einstein AI

One of the standout features of Salesforce Commerce Cloud in 2024 is its AI-powered personalization, driven by Einstein AI. This enhancement enables businesses to offer product recommendations tailored to individual preferences, browsing history, and purchase patterns. A recent Salesforce study found that 70% of customers expect personalized interactions—a demand this feature directly addresses (Salesforce.com).

With Einstein’s deeper insights into user intent, retailers can offer dynamic homepage layouts, tailored product pages, and even customized checkout suggestions. For example, a clothing retailer might show specific recommendations based on a customer’s past purchases and browsing behavior. This ability to anticipate customer needs creates a more engaging shopping experience, which can drive customer loyalty and increase sales.

Enhanced Omnichannel Integration for Seamless Experiences

Today’s shoppers expect to engage with brands across multiple platforms, including online, in-store, and mobile. Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s 2024 updates enhance omnichannel integration, enabling businesses to synchronize inventory and customer data across all channels. This integration helps prevent stock discrepancies, reduces cart abandonment, and ensures a smooth shopping experience, regardless of where customers choose to interact with the brand (Salesforce.com).

To illustrate, a company using Salesforce’s enhanced omnichannel tools can allow customers to check a product’s in-store availability from their mobile devices and reserve it for pickup. This level of flexibility is particularly valuable for businesses with both online and physical store locations, allowing them to offer customers a consistent and convenient shopping journey.

Faster, More Flexible Checkout Solutions

Salesforce recognizes that checkout is a critical part of the customer journey. The 2024 updates introduce flexible checkout options, including support for Apple Pay and Google Pay, as well as streamlined, one-click checkout solutions. A Baymard Institute study found that nearly 18% of cart abandonment is due to long or complex checkout processes (Baymard Institute), making this enhancement valuable for reducing drop-offs at checkout (Salesforce.com).

This update is particularly beneficial for mobile users. A mobile shopping app, for instance, can integrate these payment options, enabling a frictionless experience. With Salesforce’s checkout enhancements, businesses can meet the demands of mobile-first shoppers and improve overall conversion rates.

Unified B2B and B2C Salesforce Commerce Cloud Updates for 2024

For businesses that operate in both B2B and B2C markets, with the Salesforce Commerce Cloud updates in 2024 offer a unified platform to manage both models efficiently. Traditionally, businesses needed separate platforms to accommodate the unique requirements of B2B and B2C commerce, such as different pricing structures and sales cycles. The 2024 update allows businesses to leverage a single system for both, increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs (Salesforce.com).

Consider a wholesale supplier that also has a direct-to-consumer ecommerce site. Salesforce’s unified platform enables this supplier to use a shared inventory and pricing model, adapting their sales approach based on the customer segment in real-time. This flexibility provides a seamless experience for B2B buyers and B2C consumers alike, without needing to maintain separate systems.

Expanded API Capabilities and Developer Tools

Salesforce Commerce Cloud’s expanded API capabilities in 2024 provide greater customization potential, particularly valuable for businesses with unique workflows or third-party integrations. These new APIs allow developers to create tailored features, integrate external systems, and automate complex tasks more easily (technologyblog.rsmus.com).

For instance, a retailer could use these enhanced APIs to integrate a custom loyalty program, displaying rewards directly within the shopping experience. By leveraging these developer tools, businesses can differentiate their ecommerce platforms and create more innovative customer experiences. Additionally, Salesforce’s improved documentation and developer resources simplify the process of creating customized solutions, which helps ensure that businesses can adapt quickly to changing market demands.

Sustainability-Focused Enhancements

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important factor for consumers, Salesforce Commerce Cloud has introduced tools to help businesses meet eco-friendly goals. The platform now offers features for tracking and reporting on environmental impact, such as carbon emissions from shipping and excess inventory (techbullion.com).

For example, a business might use these tools to adjust its shipping methods or offer eco-friendly packaging options. Research shows that 73% of consumers would consider changing consumption habits to reduce environmental impact (IBM.com), and these features can help brands connect with eco-conscious customers. Salesforce’s sustainability updates not only help reduce environmental impact but also enhance brand loyalty among customers who prioritize responsible practices.

Are you ready to take your ecommerce platform to the next level with these new Salesforce Commerce Cloud updates 2024? Start experimenting with these features today, or share your experiences with us in the comments. Your feedback could help other businesses make the most of these powerful tools.