Bazaarvoice, a company focused on helping brands use online word of mouth to improve their businesses, announced it is teaming with IBM software to assist retailers in creating an interactive and customer centered shopping experience.
The company will work with online merchants to integrate its ratings and reviews solution into a Web 2.0 store based on IBM’s WebSphere Commerce, offering them a way to turn customers into advocates. A number of IBM WebSphere customers are currently using the Bazaarvoice solution.
“Word of mouth marketing is the most valuable asset available to retailers today, which is why we are seeing tremendous growth for online ratings and reviews,” said Brett Hurt, Founder and CEO, Bazaarvoice. “Our partnership with IBM will bring this strategic functionality to even more retailers as they deliver a more relevant and rewarding shopping experience.”
Bazaarvoice’s on demand ratings and reviews allows retailers to build a community of their most loyal customers and use the customer voice to aid shoppers in making more informed purchasing decisions. Bazaarvoice and IBM hope to allow retailers to quickly create a customer focused shopping experience that will increase loyalty among customers as well as increase sales.
Some of Bazaarvoice’s clients include Bass Pro Shops, CompUSA, Overstock.com and PETCO.
“Succeeding in today’s online retailing world requires you to put the customer at the center of your strategy,” said Jim Caldwell, Director, WebSphere Application Infrastructure Product Management. “WebSphere Commerce provides a rich lifestyle-driven shopping experience that is enhanced by the consumer-generated content available through Bazaarvoice. We’re pleased to work with Bazaarvoice in our mission to revolutionize the customer experience.”
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