5 Digital Services that were Influenced by the Pandemic (In a Good Way)

5 Digital Services that were Influenced by the Pandemic (In a Good Way)

2020 is right here and, finally, comes to an end. During this year, the word “digitalization” has created hype among entrepreneurs, startup owners, and even customers. It has come to offer many benefits, from timesaving apps to instant access to convenience. Digitalization and several digital services have definitely made our lives easy in 2020. 

The digital revolution continues to change the society we live in. Digital transformation is creating a plethora of opportunities for innovation across all industries, and it will continue to grow even in the coming years because people’s preferences and needs keep developing. 

Today, words like Social Media, Internet of Things, Google, and Smartphones- all these are disrupting market scenarios and becoming an important part of our lives. They have transformed the way we connect, communicate, and explore things forever. 

• Want to commute within the city? Book a cab 

• Want to have food but don’t want to ride? Order it at your doorstep

• Want to visit the house of a friend who lives in another country? Make a video call 
  
  

Above are the day-to-day incidents where technology and digitalization play a pivotal role in changing our habits. Today, we live in a polarised world, and digital revolutions are surely reshaping the world on a large scale.

Now let see which digital services have affected the global economy, especially during this pandemic. 

What is a digital service?

It is no news that advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning are taking over most of the world. Digital services simply means a service or product that needs the internet but needs lesser human intervention to complete the tasks. 

Digitization affects all aspects of our lives, 

• The way we work

• The way we live

• The way we communicate

• The way we consume products and services
  
  

In this blog post, we look at major industries that have been disrupted by digitalization and keep changing the way businesses and brands operate as we move forward. 

Top 5 digital services influenced by Digitalization

As per the Harvard Business Review, you can see media being the most disrupted industry influenced by digitalization. These days, people are looking for convenience and are ready to pay even more value for the goods and services they access. It is no doubt that brands are now experiencing the fourth revolution which is also known as Industry 4.0. 

As we have said earlier, from consuming food to transportation to healthcare to entertainment- on-demand apps are ruling the market and will continue to transform business facets.

Let’s see which digital services are most preferred by consumers and how it has affected the global economy, especially during the pandemic. 

#1 Online food ordering services

Digital technologies have transformed the consumer’s food habits. Food delivery apps, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and many more smart technologies allow customers to get what they want at the moment they need it.

Well-known food delivery apps such as Zomato, GrubHub, UberEats, Doordash, etc., enable people to order their favorite food from the listed restaurants and get it delivered at their doorsteps.

Due to this, the restaurant industry is quickly adapting to this rapid change and innovation. From ordering apps to kiosks to push notifications and doorstep delivery with real-time order, tracking harnesses smart technology to meet customer’s preferences. A recent report revealed that the online delivery system for restaurant grew 23% business and boosted revenue. 

So what do customers want? Convenience, speed, and ease of execution. 

Sites like OpenTable, Facebook reviews, and Google reviews enable customers to know about the restaurant’s menu offerings and other customers’ opinions. It is estimated that digital restaurant sales will rise from 6% to 30% by 2025.

#2 Digital payment services

Digital payment is the second service that people use in their daily lives for smooth and secure checkouts online. Debit/credit cards, E-wallets, Google Play, Amazon Transfer, Apple Pay, etc., allow people to pay electronically in a smooth and secure manner. 

To understand it in a simple world, a digital payment occurs when products or services are purchased through electronic mediums. Today, people no longer want to carry cash as they can quickly make payments digitally. Earlier, technology was not at its peak, but today, people’s mindsets and business structure have changed. No matter how large your amount, we can complete it in just seconds. Really, a big revolution. 

Digital payment services offer several benefits such as, 

1. Faster, easier, and more convenient 

2. Economical 

3. Digital record or transactions

4. One-stop payment solution

5. Safe, social distancing by purchasing online at home

As you can see the examples of the eCommerce field,on-demand world, import, and more where payments are usually made digitally. Digitally payment service is gaining popularity, as it is one way that make transactions hassle-free and secure. 

#3 Entertainment service 

Earlier, we were used to watching shows and movies on multiplexes or on televisions. That was the limited sources we could ever have. But the current scenario offers much more.

From YouTube to OTT platforms, Amazon Prime and Netflix are transforming the entertainment industry. Media and the ways we interact with it keep changing. 

From iPod Shuffle to your Spotify subscription, everything is evolving. 

Here in the report of PwC, you can see virtual reality, OTT, and internet advertising experiencing major growth between 2018 to 2023. Personalization and content quality are the powerful reasons behind this massive growth and transformation in the entertainment and media industry. 

#4 Communication services

Digitalization has changed the way we communicate with each other. Apps like WeChat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, etc., spinning the wheel and making communication much easier without geographical boundaries. Not only personal communication, but more and more brands are today leveraging it to establish strong relations with consumers. 

One-on-one instant messaging apps are on fire right now. Businesses are using it to convey messages and stay connected with potential customers. Facebook Messenger has over 1.3 billion global users, and studies have predicted that teenagers and young adults are spending more time on those apps with an added boost thanks to COVID.  

#5 Online registration software for education

Most schools and educational institutions have transitioned to online e-learning. With concerns for reopening schools too early and maintaining the health of students and staff, the education industry is turning to other alternatives. 

Whether education remains online for a while or schools reopen, the concern for health and minimizing interactions with germs is always going to be there. 

But why is digital ticketing the answer?

The alternative to safe events, conducting lectures online, class registration, processing graduation tickets, etc. is digital ticketing. Using an online ticketing system for schools gives districts the opportunity to continue running their schools through the software and/or host future events. 

Many schools have already turned to Purplepass as a platform for their school registration and class sign-ups. Pre-coronavirus, most students attended orientation to get their class schedule, school merchandise, planners, ID cards, etc.

However, unless done in shifts, holding orientations would be a cause for concern and considered a large gathering by the CDC. 

Instead, students can go to an online portal to register, enter any necessary information (shirt size, color, etc.) for merchandise sales, order their ID cards and anything else they would have originally done at orientation. 

For graduations, schools can use Purplepass’ ticketing features for when students need to order their tickets. To learn more about how processing graduation packages and tickets/student works, click here.

The digital revolution is changing the world

Digitalization is not dehumanization. In today’s fast-moving world, brands have to adopt digital and smart solutions that automate certain processes, reduce errors, save time, and enable them to connect with potential customers in real-time. 

Above mentioned services are changing the facets of brands and individuals. Digital transformation offers brands an opportunity to engage modern buyers and fulfill their strengthening needs regardless of channel or place. 

Author: Deep Moteria 

Deep is a serial entrepreneur and blogger who wishes to support the ground transportation industries with his writings. He covers up all the known and unknown facts around the industry and puts it together to create trending articles across different websites.