Living in a digital world, our concept of community transcends geography to include the virtual spaces from which we connect, share, learn and grow. Zendesk has held to this same notion of community for many years, as Partners in our ecosystem seek one another’s expertise across industries, technologies and languages.

It’s fair to say that the Zendesk Marketplace is buzzing with app activity. In my four years as Marketplace Operations Manager, the number of apps available has skyrocketed from 927 to 1,542 – that’s a leap of more than 600! And it’s not slowing down. We’re currently adding 200 to 300 net apps per year, which begs the question: with so many great options vying for customers’ attention, how can you make your app listings stand out? First things first.

We’re facing a seismic shift in the world of customer experience with rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, data analytics and other emerging technologies shaking the very foundations of our industry. Businesses are rethinking the structure of everything, from their tech stacks to their teams. In just a few years time, these forces will radically transform the pivotal connection between customers getting support and the organisations that provide it.

Let’s face it—today’s customers have higher standards than ever. They expect fast responses, seamless self-service, and support across all channels and devices. There is a greater need for efficient and advanced service desk software that can meet the new and ever-changing standards of today’s customers. To “wow” customers in 2024, you need forward-thinking service desk software that utilizes the latest technology and best practices.

The COVID-19 crisis has pushed us all out of our comfort zones – both merchants and consumers. What might have evolved over a decade happened within eight weeks in 2020, when retailers quickly launched e-commerce websites and figured their way through digital payment, order fulfillment, and warehouse management processes. Consumers got equally adventurous too.