One of the ecommerce tools that helps in this process is the chabot. Why? Because these virtual assistants, thanks to artificial intelligence, are capable of solving the most frequent doubts of customers in real time.

What are chatbots?

You may have heard of chatbots. It is very likely that you have even spoken to someone. But maybe you don’t know what they really are and how they can help you sell more in your online store.

A chatbot is a computer program based on artificial intelligence that emulates a conversation in much the same way as a human would. Thus, we can say that it is a virtual assistant with which your customers can interact to solve their doubts during the purchase process.

This program can answer user questions in real time thanks to the FAQ database and also “learning” from the most common conversations with e-commerce customers.

Most chatbots work in text mode, but the more advanced ones have a multimedia interface and can “talk”.

Why do I need a chatbot in my e-commerce?

In a physical store, customers can ask an employee for help to advise them on products, sales conditions and other common questions. Contact between people does not exist in an online store. During the purchase process, the customer cannot interact with anyone to help him.

On the other hand, one of the main problems that online stores face is cart abandonment. The reasons for the low level of conversions can be very varied, but doubts when paying are one of the most frequent reasons for abandonment.

Chatbots offer much-needed customer support without the user having to ask by email or wait for opening hours. On the Internet, immediacy is key to increasing conversions for your online store.

As you cannot be available 24/7 to answer questions about your products or services, a chatbot can fulfill that function and get your customers to have a satisfactory experience. By accompanying them during the process, they reduce errors, provide confidence and prevent cart abandonment.

In summary, the main objectives of a chatbot are twofold:  improve customer service and automate business processes with immediate responses just as a person would.

Advantages of chatbots in an online store

Although they are still far from perfect, chatbots offer many advantages for online stores compared to live chats. Let’s see the main ones.

1. They solve the main doubts of the clients

Most customer inquiries tend to be similar and that is where chatbots are in full force. Thanks to these assistants, many doubts are resolved in real time, reducing operating costs. In addition, the user experience is improved since not all people are willing to read the FAQ section to find the answer they are looking for.

2. They save personnel costs

It is not about replacing people with machines, but few online stores can afford to have a customer service team connected 24 hours a day. Chatbots allow you to reduce costs without reducing the satisfaction of your customers since they work 365 days a year at any time.

3. They lighten the workload of your employees

During the hours that the customer support team is active, there may be times when the large number of requests overwhelms the response capacity of the employees. A chatbot can talk to thousands of users at the same time.

4. They offer immediacy in responses

Your clients want immediacy and personalized service. There is nothing better to scare off a customer than to make them wait until the next day for a consultation. The longer the response takes, the more likely the user is to go to the competition.

5. Collect data about your business

These artificial intelligence tools record all conversations and provide essential statistical data to fully understand the needs of your customers and improve the weak points of your e-commerce.

Currently, the most popular chatbots for e-commerce are WhatsApp and Zendesk. Both allow you to have real-time conversations with your clients. However, these tools do not stop incorporating increasingly sophisticated functions, allowing you to choose the one that best suits the needs of your business.

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Through animation, it is full-fledged explainer video or presented as a form of micro-interactions, can bring in a greater number of leads. It can drive engagements and provide users with a better onsite experience. Animated cartoons increased conversions and strengthen trust among the customers. Through animated branding assets, you can get ranked in modern browsers and even on YouTube.

As you know now how important it can be to create your own cartoon character, you do not take the stress if you don’t have hard skills. Here is the most efficient trick to teach you about how to make an animation within minutes. Read on!

Step 1: Choose Your Desired Animation Type

The first thing is to select the animation time to go when it comes to making a cartoon. You can go with the style of whiteboard animation, where the entire cartoon will be created using a black pen or pointer. The second type involved 2D or 3D animation, where the cartoon will show two and three-dimensional framework. The 3D animated cartoon will look real from shades to figure to every curve. You need to choose one, which you feel, can create the maximum impact on your target audience.

Step 2: Choose Your Animation Maker

You need to select a super-easy and most efficient animation making software. As technology has evolved so massively, you can easily find the tool that can ease up your burden to create your own cartoon character. You do not have to spend hours or days to get hard skills.

Simply by using the drag and drop feature you can complete your animation and spread appeal among your prospective customers and target audience. It might sound surprising to you but you can get the one by doing just a little browsing. So, challenge your search skills and get your hands on professional animation software.

Step 3: Compose Your Cartoon Script

Once you know which way you have to steer and what resources you can use, you now have to put aside all of your worries and compose a remarkable script. Your script will be a backbone to your video and it either can generate outbound prosperity or can ruin all of your efforts.  So, keep your content precise and appealing. You have to add an attractive twist in your plot, one that can bring back the distracted attention of your viewers- it can be humor as well.

Step 4: Select a Ready-to-Use Template

Who said that you would have to begin making a video from scratch? When you have a top-notch tool, you do not have to waste time in a time-consuming step. Navigate to the online gallery and look for the easy-to-edit template. You can have niche-specific templates available for you to change and improvise. It will save a lot of time and you will not have to brainstorm your design.

Step 5: Choose/Make a Cartoon Character

Making an animated video is not enough to capture greater leads; you need to have the face of your brand. Now to make your own animation you can go for either of these two ways. One is to choose a pre-made cartoon character template or to personalize and customize it to make it just like you. Your tool will surely have a gallery full of icons, images, and characters.

You can select the right character for your brand that can enhance its outlook and looks well with the tone. Or else you can make slight changes in its avatar and make it look exactly look you. It will maximize effectiveness. You can change the hair color, hairdo, facial features, and even the color of its eyes. It will help in connecting viewers more efficiently.

Step 6: Add Supportive Elements

If you choose to go with a template design for your animation, then you will be given with a pre-made background and framework. There will be a need for some supportive elements and icons to enhance the tone of your video. For instance, if you want to keep a humorous or cheerful tone, you can add some bubbles, rainbow, and animated figures jumping or flying in the background.

Similarly, if you want to keep a professional outlook, you can add mini animated graphs, moving numbers or some kind of meter to show stats. Mostly a flying arrow is also used to direct the gaze of viewers to the important points. You need to work on such areas that can a sort of glitter to your work.

Step 7: Add a Voiceover/ Music

It’s best to your own voiceover, but if you feel a bit shy you can ask someone else to do that for you. By adding voice over, you can capture the attention of your target viewers and compel them to get indulged completely in your animation.

Same is what can be achieved through music. With the presence of sound or music, you can set the mood of your viewers and fully entertain them. Your motto must not be to deliver a core message but how the manner of doing that should be considered and given great importance, as it is something that will influence your revenue generation. You can pick the music that goes well with your tone. Keep it soft with occasional stress on certain areas to highlight the significance.

There is no need for you to become aggressive, as that will leave more of a pompous attitude. On the other hand, if you want to go for recording your own voice over, you can get on online tools where you can find clarity in recording. You can record the voiceover and edit it to incorporate in the video.

Step 8: It’s Time To Hit the Final Nail in the Coffin

It’s shockingly true that you have successfully completed making your very own cartoon animation video with your own cartoon character in it. Now you have to review the entire video and see if you have left any loophole behind.

Do check the time taken for each frame to appear and the alignment of text, synchronization of voiceover and appearance of each letter. You have to see how your character appears and if the body language, movement, and gestures go along with the tone or not. It’s better to be conscious at first before you ruin thing later. So, analyze every area more carefully and complete your animation efficiently.

Wrap Up

Animation has such vast capabilities that cannot even think about. It can smartly alter the decision of your audience turning it in your favor. It can help you take over the market in no time along with enhancing online visibility. You can make fun-filled animated videos it be explainer or sales videos.

You can convince thousands of viewers at the same time persuading millions to convert into potential leads. The outcomes are enormous but the trick is only one- that is to add appeal. Your work must be engaging enough to compel viewers and convince them to lay their trust on you. Therefore, plan and begin making your own animation to roll double folds on your investments.

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In the ancient time, our ancestors used to carve different stories on cave wall showing the mini life and path-unfolding story frame by frame. It was a time when nobody even knew about animation but this highlight the fact as to how much people loves to view motion graphics. Animation was used only as a mere source of entertainment. At first, cartoons were created then year’s later movies begin to hit the charts. And now the industry is showing out-of-the-box animation techniques to present a story.

With the use of high-tech software and tools, creating fascination within the moving figures has become a passion for many animators. The new flair of creativity and expertness is seen in the creation of CGI films- a deeply realistic animation form. With the ever-evolving pace of innovations in every area, animation has become the most challenging field in terms of creativity and expertise.

A single idea can be presented through a number of ways, you simply need to delve deeper into the many different styles and types of animation. If you have thought that 3D and 2D animated videos are all that you have to add motion in your story, then here is a long list of 10 amazing animation styles mentioned below: Read on and produce captivating animated videos in just a clap of fingers.

1. Whiteboard Animation

“The simpler the object is, the less effort the brain needs to process and relate to the image,”

The effectiveness of a Whiteboard animation revolves around the simplicity it carries within. It has a minimalist touch in its creation. The presence of white background with black ink to create fascinating designs looks tempting and enticing. In Whiteboard animation there are mostly two colors seen in the video- the black ink on the white surface.

Many times brands add a third color reflecting their brand identity that is considered potentially helpful in attracting customers. It is a best fit for educational purposes. You can guide viewers about a certain process or technique to operate a particular product or even a machine. As these videos have no complexities and are powerful in sustaining the attention to the most important element of the video, Whiteboard videos are twice more compelling.

2. 2D Animation

In 2D animation, the story is crafted in 2-dimensional space. As compared to 3D    animation, there are less number of frames involved as the camera angle remains constant. On a single frame the entire scene is created, and the motion is added.

2D animation is one of the oldest and most traditional animation styles. In the 20th century artist used to take the different photograph or create drawings on the paper to place them on a transparent actate, which is called cells. However, with the advent of computers, and professional animation making tools, animators have digitalized the entire process.

Now from storyboarding to illustration, everything is carried out using software and tools. Moreover, 2D and 3D animation are in many ways the same their animations techniques revolve around the same tree provided that in 3D animation, the creators have to cover the story from different angles.

3. 3D Animation

At present, professional 3D animators have become the most sought-after creators in the digital world. The fascination of 3D videos has shaken the world with mind-blowing creativity. The transformation seen in the animation industry especially in 3ED animation is incredible.

Videos and movies are now being created in a computer-generated interface where objects and elements are drawn in the most realistic framework. From color to light intensities to the smooth movement are portrayed realistically. The videos are produced in a 3-Dimensional framework, where every posture and gesture is shown from different angles.

Now animators are creating such videos that will take you to the time being portrayed. You will not identify whether the elephant shown is real or animated. That’s how close to reality 3D animation has become. The excellence of 3D video is a product of hard work of its artists who have to spend hours in producing such captivating 3D animated videos.

4. Typography Animation

Sometimes you do not need to create any character or spend time in plotting out a story to captivate your target audience. The most powerful yet simplistic idea is to use typography in making fabulous animated videos. With the correct use of fonts and styling, you can create an impact in your video. Use the features of enhancing fonts, making them bold and big or use interesting techniques to present them.

All of this all together makes your video full with the perfect essence. With typography, you can harness your idea into a beautiful video that can compel and engage your viewers. In typography videos, you can incorporate objects and elements too for accelerating its outcomes.

5. Paint-On-Glass Animation

Paint-on-glass animation is a unique technique to produce captivating animations. It is created using slow-dying paints and some sheets of glass. The oil paints are used to make characters and stories on the glass sheets directly under the camera. Frame-by-frame the entire story is produced.  The animator cannot rehearse when making the frames as the art is continuously destroyed. In addition, the animator must have technical and creative skills in order to evaluate how to handle different frameworks.

6. Rotoscope Animation

It’s more of a traditional technique where the animators have to trace frame-by-frame. The motion picture footage is traced which eventually create a more realistic animation. Mostly fighting scenes or action films are created using this unique form of animation. Max Fleischer is renowned to be its creator. At present, the animation is produced using different highly advanced tools, and software to add more smoothness in the movement while making tracing hassle-free.

“Rotoscoping is a great way to get started in motion design because you can incorporate captivating movement pretty quickly, without having to know all the principles of animation”, – Lindsey Deschamps

With Rotoscope animation, you can boost your onsite traffic by converting interesting video clips into interactive, animated GIFs.

7. Stop Motion Animation

StopMotion animation is one of the most challenging and time-consuming categories of animation. Here the animators have to skillfully manipulate the entire scene and show as if the objects are in motion. It all depends upon the appropriate camera work. The sets are created, models are crafted and everything that is involved in the set is created, after that the camera focus and panning is directed by an animator. In the end, the engaging stop motion animation is designed. Now, these kinds of videos are not only time consuming but fall hard on one’s pocket as well.

8. Mechanical Watch Animation

Mechanical Animation is one of the most intricate and difficult animation types. In this type, the computer-generated interface is created of a machine or model with the accurate specification of the movement and everything. From assemblies to configuration to modus operandi of different mechanical items.

The animation type is best used for explaining the working criteria for complicated machinery. The detailed elaboration involved connects and educates the viewers about every single corner of the machine. The purpose of this animation type is to check how well the object can perform. The changes are made in real time to improve functionality. In this way production cost, and time is saved and the creation of huge machinery becomes stress and risk-free.

9. Cutout Animation

Cutout animation is somewhat similar to stop motion animation, as it requires manual intervention. The animation is produced by using various cutouts objects. You have to create the cutouts for all the objects and elements involved in your story. The cutouts are placed against the appropriate background. The complete scene in cutout animation is produced on an animation stand, and the camera is also positioned above that stand to pan or zoom over the objects as per the story.

Much like stop motion animation, cutout animation is quite time consuming, as you have to produce each scene frame by frame. You have to not only work on the objects but have to decide the background as well.

10. Clay Animation

Clay Animation is one of the most enticing and fascinating animation types. Though the final product looks eye-pleasing, its video creation requires a lot of skills and time. The clay models are created showing postures of different motions. When the images of these clay models are displayed in a continuous sequence, a motion is reflected in the video. The characters seem to be moving in the frame producing captivating animation with respect to the story.

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Animation is not the art of drawings that move but the art of movements that are drawn.” – Norman McLaren

The animation is a whole new world, where you experience creativity dipped in exaggeration. You get to interact with characters in a bright new setting to get entertained and inspired. The cheerful music, soft melodies, and bright, fresh characters inspire you and keep you indulged completely.

From the time, the first ever animated cartoons came out- the Steamboat Willie to the upcoming movie The Lion King 2019, animation has shown a huge advancement and evolution over the course of time. From stepping ahead into the computer-generated animation to creating realistic animation, there is a lot to work on. The faster the industry is expanding it is getting harder to keep oneself updated with the changing trends and enhancing expertise.

Animation has gone ahead of being only a source of entertainment. It is playing a major role in accelerating the online visibility of businesses and in strengthening the barding campaigns. Many leading companies like Samsung and Johnson & Johnson have advertised their products by creating compelling animated videos. It’s time to get equipped with professional animation software that is updated with features to produce exceptional animation. Here is a list of 20 best free animation software to help you spread the magic. Read on!

1. KeyShot

KeyShot is an incredible 2D and 3D animation software. Its user-friendly interface attracts animators to create and produce compelling animation for free. The tool is equipped with high-definition quality features and a rich treasure of options to assist makers. With its dynamic texturing and focused caustics, you can create different objects and characters efficiently.

2. PowToon

PowToon creates compelling videos with captivating animation. The software assists creators in making rich videos with eye-catching graphics. Its massive interface with seamless navigation and easy to use procedures for compel users and ensure 100% quality assurance. You can create a huge number of videos equipped with exceptional features from its free plan.

3. Pencil2D

Pencil2D is a lightweight tool that has an impressive interface. It enables animators to create top-notch videos for free. You can perform vector graphics using bitmaps and indulge in advance creations. The tool is fast and efficient. It works well on cross platforms including Windows and Linux.

4. OpenToonz

OpenToonz is a free 2D animation software backed with a professional kit to produce engaging animation. It can be used to create movies, videos, and even games. You can practice advanced animation skills without any hassle. The software is sleek and captivating. It has a bundle of features that allow users to choose freely and produce impressive videos.

5. Adobe Animate

Adobe Animate is one of the finest software. The tool facilitates users to produce vector graphics and enticing animation. Based on the unmatched features, the Adobe Animate is the tool you need to surpass your competitors.  You can perform video embedding, incorporate appropriate fonts, and carry out expert scripting.

6. TVPaint Animation

Supporting diverse platforms including Mac OS X, Android, Microsoft Windows, and Linux, TVPaint Animation is incredible animation software. The tool is famous for its capabilities to produce rich movies and videos. Among the famous featured movies created using the software, include My Dog Tulip, Song of the Sea and Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck.

7. Autodesk 3ds Max

Autodesk 3ds Max is an expert 3D animation software developed to deliver exceptional quality features. You can produce high definition characters and models by using its absolutely free of cost interface. The too is equipped with a dynamic functionality and a board full of options. The best part is that you can learn about the tips and tricks by watching professional tutorials.

8. Houdini

Houdini is developed by Side Effects Software, which is based in Toronto. The tool is used for making a number of movies and short films. Its animation creation features and buttons assist users in producing immaculate animation within a short duration. You can enjoy a massive range of features present for free.

9. iClone 

iClone is the best platform to create compelling 3D video games. You can enthrall your gamers by producing enticing graphics and selecting themes that can indulge the attention of active users. With bright colors and brilliant functionality, create videos that stand out from the rest. You can enjoy a massive timeline to edit and enhance the animation in your videos.

10. Autodesk Maya

Autodesk Maya is more of an animation educational tool than being only a creation software. It not only facilitates users in producing engaging animation but also supports the new learners. Its huge tutorials and easy to use interface motivate millions of active animators.

11. Antics 2-D Animation

Antics 2-D Animation is primarily a vector-based 2D animation software. It enables users to create enticing animation backed with picture-perfect quality. The subtle movement of characters and the detailing is appreciable. You can find a huge gallery of ready to make templates that can save your time for making a model from scratch.

12. Blender

Blender provides users to create a realistic character animation. You can add your required detailing and work on each corner efficiently. You choose niche-specific characters models to save your precious time. With the tool, you can produce the most appropriate characters adding life in them and in your idea.

13. Retas Studio

Retas Studio is a leading animation software that is equipped with a wide range of brushes and buttons to create impressive animation. You can access the tool from multiple platforms like Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows. You not only be able to develop engaging characters but will be able to handle the entire animation project by using a single tool.

14. DigiCel FlipBook

It is a 2D animation software that assists in duplicating the entire animation process. You can convert it into the traditional form similar to Toon Boon Harmony or TVPaint. DigiCel FlipBook is more of a traditional toolkit with a massive library of features. You simply have to get your hands on a sleek graphics tablet and indulge in the fascination of creating smooth and immaculate animation.

15. TupiTube

TupiTube is a leading open source software that allows users to create and indulge in the animation process for free. It has a range of features and buttons that facilitate and bring ease in the creation process. The tool has five simple steps to complete the animation process. You simply follow the rules and download the best video ever.

16. Poser

Poser is a top-notch 3D animation software programmed to create most captivating 3D models. The tool is full of features that assist users in producing highly engaging 3D animation for branding campaigns and for entertainment purposes. It has a number of templates including hand gestures, facial expressions, props, and hairpieces.

17. Plastic Animation Paper

Plastic Animation Paper is a free and the most efficient tool to draw animation and to add life in them. You can engage viewers to belong to every audience group. You can captivate them for longer and create compelling animated videos for your brand and business promotion. With the facility to perform layering and zooming, you can rule over your competitors in no time.

18. Aladdin 4D

Aladdin 4D is a computer program that has a remarkable interface and s equipped with a broad range of facilities. It helps users in making a wide range of animated videos each belonging to different categories. You can even make a complete animated movie. The Aladdin 4D has a number of efficient versions including AmigaOS, AROS, and MorphOS.

19. Bryce

Bryce is a premier 3D animated modeling software. It can turn your drawing into a realistic image or scene. With a broad range of audios and video templates, you can bring prosperity in your promotional campaigns. The videos are all created using tons of expertise and unmatched picture quality.

20. Boats Animator

Boats Animator facilitates its majority of features for free. The tool has a sleek interface. You can edit in real time and see the video from every aspect. You can efficiently work on adding detailing and enhancing the color intensities. You can add the final touches with proper tools and buttons along with using ready to use templates.

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Begin with simple movements of animation

It might sound easy but crafting animated characters that counter the law of gravity and physics. Moreover, there are a number of technical concerns to take part in the procedure. However, your artistic skills might have the influence to drive it all. Akin to anything else you need to develop the fundamental skills and then drive them to achieve perfection. It might appear out of date, however, animation starts with the simplest of sketches in black and white. Its’ the basic on which you figure out. Your aim is to craft the totally organic movements, so initiate with something that is simple like making the animation of a bouncing ball. The movement creation will involve the techniques called stretch and squash
this involves how you craft the illusion of weight, mass and gravity as the ball makes a motion. In this simple exercise, you will earn the basic aspects held in the more complex movements of characters that have weight and can make a motion

The observation and relevancy in animation

Crafting natural movements usually includes little things. Movements that we usually take no notice to. Like finger joints movements, the smirk and a raised brow.

So you need to give attention to being a curious observer, scrub the whole internet for videos, photos and use them as referrals. Make use of a wooden structure or you can film yourself and animate it. For this will turn you into Animation monster. Better than any other means you yourself is your best tool. Keep observing how people interact with the environment and other people their expressions, emotions and ways of communication.

As you join with the cords of those images in your mind they will be your whole collection for crafting organic characters that will engage the viewers that will last in their memories for long.

The use of fundamental frames in animation

When you have all cooked, animation is one gesture following with the other. Every sketch an individual frame is in a chain of film that blends and produces movement and depicts a story

Your major frames depict the first and the last movements and in specific action series. Being an animator you should choose the first pose that initiates the movement and the last pose that conclude it

For instance, if your character makes a leap from some point that is higher to the ground, you will initiate by illustrating the very first pose of the leap to the final drop and landing on the ground of the final image

These are the basic visuals that create the loose-leaf that assist you to determine what occurs in between. Hence you need them to be bold and eye-catching for longer periods

Strong approach and overselling in animation

Caricature is what adds spice to an animation, along with excitement, emotion and drama. Since animated characters are restricted to any universal laws. You can let your character loose and all your viewers will completely purchase it as long as these movements have some touch of natural realism

For instance, if the superman jumps off the tall building and stands straight on the earth cracks with the impact that depicts power and heroism

Sometimes it’s a physical amplification of the character itself. Just as the widened chest of the big bad guy as he huffs and puffs to make people afraid.

The strong strategies and caricature that delivers energy and emotions. How much exaggeration you add up will be based on the particular style you wish to achieve. The less exaggeration brings out the realism and greater exaggeration is more fantasized

Time frames in animation

Animation has a sense of rhythm. A beat that is all natural, you must find the perfect balance to craft that natural flow of rhythm you desire to achieve. The alpha and omega of this is held in the timing and frames.

The space and time among the frames is what crafts the impression of motion in animated characters. Timing takes the number of frames in among the poses. So if it’s taking a certain number of frames to take your object from one point to another this is your time

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