A Q&A with Matt Kuo, Chief Product Officer
Matt KuoQ: Why is having a digital sales platform important for every business today?
Matt Kuo: Even as signs point to recovery across many industries, every business is still under immense pressure to offer a digital buying experience. The pandemic accelerated the shift to digital sales as in-person interactions and brick-and-mortar stores were no longer feasible. During this time, buyer expectations also shifted to favor technology-forward sales solutions that enable better product discovery and the convenience of researching and purchasing when it is convenient for them. Businesses that lead with a digital sales platform can increase user engagement and drive more revenue.
Q: How does a digital sales platform help the customer?
MK: A digital strategy that offers effective tools and resources for decision-makers to make an informed buying decision has never been more critical. Think about your last big, complex, or expensive purchase. Did you buy on the spot, or did you spend time after work visiting websites to research pricing, learn about product features, experiment with combinations and customizations, and use visual or virtual tools to “see” the final design? As consumers collaborate, share information, and make buying decisions from different locations, a digital sales platform keeps the sales process moving forward.
Q: Is there a particular type of business that can really benefit from digital sales tools?
MK: I believe that most, if not all, businesses can benefit from these tools, but manufacturers are in the driver’s seat to reap the rewards. 
AutoQuotes has a wide range of visual configuration solutions to help any company improve their digital sales strategy.Manufacturers have the most pressure to keep internal sales reps productive and marketing teams producing compelling experiences. That alone is reason enough, but manufacturers need to support their complex external web of channel partners, distributors, and resellers with similar tools. The current demand is to deliver an exceptional end-user (customer) experience, and digital selling tools effectively provide it.
Q: Talk a little about augmented reality/virtual reality and how it can aid a company’s marketing efforts.
MK: There is a big difference visiting a website that displays product pictures and text versus having the power to virtually customize, visualize and explore that product in your actual footprint. Marketing teams use immersive augmented reality and virtual reality as an engagement, informational, and promotional tool to drive people to their website, a trade show booth, or a product launch.
AR/VR gives decision-makers a better understanding of the overall concept and peace of mind when they can see, interact, and experience products in an actual or virtual setting. And because AR/VR is easy to share on mobile devices, other decision-makers like colleagues, friends, or family can experience the design and give approval or offer suggestions
in real-time.
Q: How can AutoQuotes support companies with their digital sales efforts?
MK: AutoQuotes has a variety of offerings that can boost a company’s digital sales efforts. From accessing product data to power an e-commerce website with the AQ Products API, providing 2D/3D visual configuration and AR/VR capabilities with AQ Visual, all the way to payments capabilities with AQ Pay, AutoQuotes has the products and solutions to help any company get started on their digital sales journey.
