While basic chatbots (computer programs designed to simulate conversation) have existed in some form for decades, it was perhaps in October 2011, when Apple incorporated Siri into their iPhone operating system (iOS 5), that they became mainstream. In fact, less than 5 years later, a survey taken by Creative Strategies found that 98% of iPhone owners have used Siri. A significant factor in this the adoption of Siri is that users find it quicker and easier to ask a bot a ques

Years ago, when most wine and spirits stores started to build websites to sell their product online, the impetus was to get new direct sales from wherever possible--often from outside their local market. Businesses would even set up sites that were distinctly branded to set them apart from their brick-and-mortar business, so they could offer separate, more aggressive pricing. Today though, with a more crowded online marketplace, opportunities have shifted, and the greater v