AI Chatbots for Shopify: Benefits, Use Cases, and Example

One of the most popular e-commerce platforms, Shopify, helps many businesses globally to start their online websites. As per a report by Oberlo, the number of online shoppers is set to reach 2.77 billion by 2025. So naturally for a newbie like you and me, there will arise this obvious question: What is a Shopify chatbot? 

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So, Shopify chatbots are AI-trained chatbots that respond to user queries utilizing NLP and machine learning techniques. But here’s the game. Shopify chatbots are not only restricted to just a conversational chatbot, but they also discharge an array of other functions, one of which is these chatbots turn users into active buyers. Interesting, isn’t it? Well, there is an array of other information that we are here to share with you. 

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In this blog, we will discuss the benefits and challenges of using Shopify chatbots, the various use cases, and the best practices of Shopify chatbots, along with the top Shopify chatbot platforms and websites that implemented the same. There’s a lot in store for you, so let’s get started. 

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Quick fact glance:
As per studies conducted by a website portal, MarketsandMarkets.
• The global chatbot market is expected to reach $15.5 million by 2028, with 24/7 customer support and self-service.
• 62% of the customers would rather talk to a chatbot than a human agent.

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Benefits of using chatbots for Shopify store

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With the development in science and technology, chatbots have now become a vital component not only for websites of e-commerce, like Shopify, but also for nearly all business sectors like banking, airlines, retailing, construction, and so forth. 

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These chatbots are deployed to automate the customer service process, increase sales as a whole, and raise the level of user experience. However, just as there is the other face of a coin, developing an AI chatbot has two sides as well. First, the one we will begin with is all the advantages that you will be gaining if you utilize Shopify chatbots. So here is the list for you.

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1. Improved customer service

One of the most crucial advantages of implementing Shopify chatbots is that it can offer personalized customer support. As already explained earlier, Shopify chatbots implement NLP and machine learning algorithms to interpret user queries. Shopify chatbots also suggest and offer solutions on the basis of assigned queries as per the user's preference. Besides this, these chatbots suggest products based on a user's search intent. Assume you are searching for a sneaker; the chatbot will also suggest related products together with it, like a pair of socks, a travel bag, and so on.

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2. Increased sales

Shopify chatbots have the biggest ability to turn active users into potent buyers. The fact that Shopify chatbots read a user’s queries, recommend products based on their search intent and respond to pre-sales questions eventually guides users through the entire buying process, leading to increased overall sales. Apart from this, Shopify chatbots can respond immediately to user queries even after office hours, making it a preferred choice for a lot of customers.

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3. Cost-effective

You might agree or not, but there are times when we humans get bored with the same monotonous job of responding to the same questions time and again. However, with Shopify chatbots, there is no question of getting bored; rather, with every single query, no matter how many times it has been raised by different customers all across the globe, they answer with the same intent and zeal.

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This has led to the entire human workforce shifting their attention to something more crucial and productive and has led to the chatbots controlling firsthand communication with the users. This has eventually led to cutting short the whole customer support segment allotted funds and utilizing them for some other crucial purpose. 

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Did you know?
As per a report by Reuters, e-commerce companies have already implemented AI chatbots to replace manual labor. Amazon, so far, has saved $260 million annually by implementing AI technologies.

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4. 24/7 customer support

As we have already discussed above, through Shopify chatbots, the human workforce has been completely discharged from the duties of handling first-hand customer support. With this being implemented, chatbots are now available 24/7 across any part of the globe. Being an AI-powered tool, Shopify chatbots can be accessed throughout the day, even after office hours. This process has eventually led to overall customer satisfaction and reduced frustration from not being catered to with their requests.

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5. Prompt query resolution

As per a report by Adam Conell, the total time taken to respond to customer queries has been reduced by 80%. As per the report, chatbots can not only answer the initial round of questions that the users set in, but they are also successful in answering those questions 80% faster than the live agents or the human agents that take these calls.

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Chatbots give real-time answers to customer questions, so customers won't have to sit around waiting for an agent to respond to them, which dramatically cuts down on response time. From a customer service standpoint, this is huge. It can really enhance the customer experience, assist with customer retention, and increase your conversion rates.

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Challenges of Shopify chatbots

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With all the positive points and benefits of Shopify chatbots, here comes the next section for you. What are the challenges of Shopify chatbots? The sections below will discuss them in detail for your reference.

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1. Limited omnichannel support

Omnichannel support refers to providing consistent customer service seamlessly across multiple channels. You must always remember that customers might want to avail themselves of your chatbot from any channel that they prefer. Be that Meta, Instagram, or WhatsApp. However, in a lot of cases, it has been observed that there are too many platforms that fail to offer this service. Customers might experience uninterested conversations, which might eventually lead to frustration amongst the users, which further leads to a sharp drop in overall sales.

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2. Lack of sales analytics

The second most affected form of chatbot challenges is the absence of sales drive data. Analytics are crucial in understanding the growth, development, lags, and slips of any organization. No matter what business or organization you are in, if you are not checking and revalidating your overall sales growth and data, it will not only lead to lags but also create a sense of dismay in the areas that need a complete overhaul or minor paradigm shifts in the ideation of the policies.

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3. Integration issues

Chatbot integration issues may range from compatibility issues with the existing software, data privacy concerns, issues in autonomous learning, cost implications, technical support, and poor user experience. If all these factors are not taken into account, integrating a chatbot with existing software might be a major area of concern. Chatbots that are not integrated with the existing software often lead to chaotic and disrupted ideation of limited functionality and an unsatisfactory set of customers. This would further lead to disruption in sales and overall growth in the business operations.

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4. Lack of customization

Chatbots are essentially your mirror, a reflection of how you want to serve your customers. So, customizing your chatbots is as crucial as any other factors discussed above. Lack of customization might lead the users to get bored and frustrated and leave your website without buying any product. This will eventually lead to a downfall in your sales stats and analytics. Customizing your chatbot, making it personalized, and shaping it in a way that gives tailored responses to every user will lead to an overall satisfied set of users.

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5 best AI chatbots for your store

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So, you get it right? What you should and should not be doing to make your chatbot run correctly? Alright, let's now discuss the top chatbot platforms that you can refer to if you plan to build your chatbot in the near future. Though there is an endless list of top chatbot platforms, here we have picked the top 5 ones that are currently running wild in the chatbot market. 

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So the top 5 chatbot platforms that you can refer to are, 

• Copilot.Live

• Reamaze

• Pronto

• Tidio

• Smart Bot

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Below we have a short description of each chatbot platform for your reference, where we have discussed the salient features of each.

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1. Copilot.Live

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With the help of Copilot.Live, you can create your chatbot and customize it as per your needs. Copilot.Live, offers a personalized and interactive customer experience. Apart from regular updation and customization, Copilot.Live offers seamless integration, provides advanced analytics, and multilingual support. Not only these but also through Copilot.Live, you can put forward personalized recommendations for your users, integrate with CRMs, and schedule automated appointments. Now that's a huge list of to-do lists that Copilot.Live offers. Grab your opportunities with Copilot.Live right away!

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Glance shots

Launch Date: February 2024 

Rating: 4.9/5

Highlights: Works on various platforms like Meta, Instagram, and WhatsApp and works with the latest and updated themes.

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Salient Features

• Seamless transition from AI to human support

• Total app installation time duration of 3 minutes

• Customizable chatbots based on brand image

• Automated data syncing along with multilingual support of 50+ languages.

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2. Reamaze

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Reamaze chatbots are multibrand-enabled chatbots that require no coding experience. Reamaze is customer support, the voice-customizable chatbot that talks to potential and existing users in real time. Reamaze Live Chat is basically for those of you who are planning to work on your customer support segment within an affordable price range.

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Glance shots

Launch Date: April 1, 2014

Developer: Reamaze

Rating: 4.6/5

Highlights: It works with the latest and updated theme.

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Salient Features

• Manage, edit, and make Shopify orders within customer support and chats

• Automate repetitive tasks and patterns with rules and data to conserve time

• Sends satisfaction surveys, status pages, and push notifications to engage customers.

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3. Pronto

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Pronto assists shoppers in finding products, responds to questions, and makes personalized product recommendations - in real time. With the help of natural language understanding, Pronto directs consumers through their buying journey, boosts conversions and average order value, and decreases support tickets.

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Glance shots

Launch Date: December 12, 2024

Developer: Apella AI

Highlights: It can be used directly in Spotify admin and works with the latest and updated theme.

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Salient Features

• AI recommended products according to the customers' choice

• Customers explain what they need in simple language

• Fully customize what your AI knows and provide support answers.

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4. Tidio

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Tidio is an artificial intelligence-based e-commerce platform that facilitates operations through real-time automation. If you are working in financial companies, then the strong automation and customization abilities of Tidio will be an excellent choice because they finally lead to enhanced customer interaction and operational effectiveness. Moreover, the chatbot also provides help with live chats and help desk functionalities.

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Glance shots

Launch Date: July 14, 2014

Developer: Tidio LLC

Rating: 4.6/5

Highlights: It works with the latest and updated theme and is commonly used across businesses in India.

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Salient Features

• Promptly resolve issues and sell proactively

• Collaborate with Lyro AI robot to instantly answer your customers' problems

• Preview carts, view order history, and suggest products within the chat.

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5. Smart Bot

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SmartBot helps in converting more visitors, diminishing support workload, and boosting order value with recommendations, real-time tracking, and seamless live agent chat. Its AI adapts to business logic, recognizes intent, and operates around the clock to boost revenue and customer satisfaction. The smartbot chatbot induces conversations with the help of AI recommendations. The chatbot also sets various business rules and extracts selling points.

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Glance shots

Launch Date: August 1, 2023

Developer: BestChat

Rating: 4.8/5

Highlights: It can be used directly in Spotify admin, works with the latest and updated theme, and is commonly used across businesses in India.

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Salient Features

• Understand products, policies, pages, and store knowledge

• Drive conversions with AI-powered recommendations and support

• Establish business guidelines and have AI adhere to them automatically.

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Websites that implemented chatbots

By now you have understood that chatbots have been an essential part of any business. Chatbots are the first form of communication between an organization and its potential users. With the above-mentioned topics on the top 5 chatbot platforms, we will move on to discuss some of the top Shopify stores that implemented chatbots. 

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We have picked up the top 3 websites for your reference and understanding. 

• Gymshark
• Huel
• Absolute Collagen

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You can refer to the next section if you want to read about the websites, or you can also move forward to our next section on the use cases of Shopify chatbots.

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1. Gymshark

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The Gymshark website was initiated in 2012, and it is a store for a unisex apparel brand. Gymshark chatbot assists customers and users in an array of operations like general knowledge, technical help, refunds and returns, and order shipping. In addition, the chatbots for Gymshark can access and delete Gymshark accounts, keep a tab on the delivery of incorrect orders, and check returns, refunds, restocking, and tracking of orders.

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2. Huel

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Huel is a plant-based nutrition company that was launched in the year 2015. The HUEL chatbot answers user questions about discounts, order cancellations, and membership cancellations. These are a few of the automated choices available to users. Apart from this, the Huel chatbot helps users with a variety of tasks, such as replacing meal orders, managing subscriptions, and tracking deliveries.

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3. Absolute Collagen

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Absolute Collagen was established in 2017 with the goal of developing a daily collagen supplement for its users. Absolute Collagen has been recognized by some of the top global magazines, such as Vogue, Grazia, Women’s Health, and many more. The Absolute Collagen chatbot can answer questions about the product, order delivery, refunds, and accounts from users like us who know nothing about it.

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Use cases of Shopify chatbots

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Did you know, as per a study by Oberlo, the total number of online shoppers in the USA will reach a staggering 316.63 million by 2028?. Considering this huge use and cruciality of Shopify chatbots, let us now move on to our next segment, the use cases of Shopify chatbots. If we list down, there are majorly five use cases of Shopify chatbots; they are, 

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• Collate user information

• Customer support

• Recover lost carts

• Customer engagement

• Collect feedbacks

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Each of the above-mentioned use cases has been elaborated below for your reference.

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1. Collate user information

Did you know that chatbots can be an excellent means of determining the intent of visitors and thereby using that to tailor your lead-generation activities? What you can do is, for instance, have a chatbot start a conversation when users visit your website. Thereafter, you can learn about the products the user has shown an interest in, how he or she prefers to be informed about new products and offers, and so on and so forth when you engage with them.

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2. Customer support

Online shoppers will inevitably have questions before they even get to the checkout page, regardless of how thorough your product description and media gallery are. You can install your chatbot to respond to questions about pricing, product variations, sizing charts, and any current sales they can take advantage of. It can also suggest products depending on the user's search terms.

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3. Recover lost carts

In a lot of cases, it has been observed that users often choose to abandon a purchase due to several reasons. You can actually stop them from leaving the cart or recover them if they already did so by using chatbots. For example, a chatbot can be triggered to initiate conversation and ask whether a visitor would like some help if you find them abandoning the cart and leaving your website or being excessively slow to make it to the next step. Apart from this, chatbots can also check whether they are calculating shipping fees, offering them a discount on the final price, or simply walking them through return and exchange processes to soothe their concerns.

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4. Customer engagement

Chatbots are excellent at retaining customers. For example, you can use chatbots to display or recommend your customers things that match their interests or send them product tips after they have shopped from your company. Their responses will help you refine them further, and return them to your store for more.

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5. Collect feedbacks 

Chatbots are perfect for gathering customer feedback. Imagine the old-fashioned emails asking you for product feedback. Now imagine visiting a shop and being asked questions about your purchase as you're leaving. Chatbots can be used to gather product ratings and reviews or actively gather customer feedback through multiple channels. Also, chatbots enable you to preview negative comments before posting them publicly, allowing you to reply to a customer complaint before it goes public.

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Best practices of Shopify chatbots

Finally, we have reached the last and final segment of our blog on Shopify chatbots. Here we have brought you the best practices or all the steps you can take to keep your Shopify chatbots effective and running correctly without any possible damage or error. 

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So basically, there are three primary steps that you can follow: 

• Providing personalized responses

• Monitoring performances

• Run frequent tests

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1. Providing personalized responses

No matter which industry or business you come from, you should always make sure that your chatbots respond to each of your users in a personalized way. These are very simple yet crucial ways to knock on a human psyche. You can simply do it by welcoming the users with their initial names or getting started from where they ended last time.

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These tiny steps will take you and your business a long way. Users have always felt welcomed when their first name calls them. Tailoring personalized responses and catering to each query of a user is your first and most crucial methodology or practice for an effective chatbot spell.

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2. Monitoring performances

As already discussed above, monitoring your chatbot’s performance is the best way to understand how far you have come, from where you began and how far you can still go. There are several parameters, such as bounce rate, retention rate, target audience session volume, chatbot conversation length time, and many others, to monitor and track your chatbot performances.

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These indicators will keep you on your toes as to where your chatbots are going wrong (if at all) or where you think you can improve. The best way to run a successful business is to know where your loopholes are and then work on them.

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3. Run frequent tests

Finally, when you implement a chatbot, you run a test before deploying it to your website, right? How often do you run tests after deploying your chatbot to your website? None, right? That’s exactly where we are going wrong. We need to run frequent tests to check if our chatbot is working fine. We should remember that chatbots are our primary source of communication with our clients, and in almost 90% of the cases, the queries are resolved without any human intervention.

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So you do understand the cruciality of the effective working of the chatbot, right? Every so often, now and then, run tests on your chatbot and check its effectiveness. And you are all set to go. Chatbots are the present and the future of our world. It is expected that in the near future, chatbots will be implemented across all sectors of our lives. It has already marked its presence in the banking sector, retail sector, aviation, e-commerce, and many others. It won't necessarily be a surprising fact if chatbots become an integral part of our day-to-day lives.