AI Chatbot for Ecommerce: 5 Top Picks From 2024 (Full Comparison)
Running an ecommerce store can be quite demanding. You're handling inventory, responding to customer questions, processing orders, and always trying to satisfy your customers. These tasks take a lot of time and energy.
How can you manage all these growing demands without sacrificing the quality of your service?
If you're not using chatbots, you're missing out on a huge opportunity to improve your online store.
Chatbots are intelligent website virtual assistants that take on these everyday tasks that slow your daily operations. They can instantly answer customer questions, manage orders and returns, and operate around the clock. So, why stick with outdated methods?
In this article, we'll show you how AI chatbots can change the game for your ecommerce store, making your operations smoother and your customers happier. We’ll also present the top 5 AI chatbots for ecommerce.
How Chatbots for Ecommerce Work
An AI chatbot uses artificial intelligence to communicate with customers conversationally. These chatbots are designed for ecommerce to assist customers as they shop online.
Chatbots act as intelligent virtual assistants that guide users through shopping and recommending products based on customers' liking.
Ecommerce chatbots analyze user input to generate appropriate responses. Customers can type their queries into the chatbot When they visit an online store with questions or need help.
It uses natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to understand the customer's message. This means it can recognize the words and phrases in the question and determine the customer's intent.
Once the chatbot understands the query, it processes this information to find the best response. It can access a database of information, such as frequently asked questions and previous customer interactions, to provide a relevant answer.
If the question is more complex or beyond the chatbot's current knowledge, it can seamlessly transfer the conversation to a human agent who can provide further assistance.
Key Features of an Ecommerce AI Chatbot
Understanding what features make ecommerce chatbots useful is important for making the most out of them. Some key features can help improve your customer experience and sales.
Understanding Natural Language
A great AI chatbot needs to understand your customers' questions, even if they don’t phrase them perfectly.
Using NLP, chatbots can pick up on what people mean, not just specific keywords. This makes the chatbot feel more like talking to a real person, making your customers happier and more likely to stick around.
Making Conversations Personal
Modern AI ecommerce chatbots can make conversations feel personal. They can remember details from past purchases or browsing history and use that info to suggest products that fit each customer’s taste.
If someone often buys fitness gear, the chatbot might recommend the latest sneakers or workout clothes.
Personalization can help boost your sales because customers are more likely to buy products that feel handpicked for them. It also makes customers feel valued, which can keep them coming back.
Working on Multiple Platforms
People shop on all sorts of platforms — your website, Instagram, Facebook, and even messaging apps like WhatsApp. A good AI chatbot should be able to help customers on any of these platforms.
A customer might start asking about a product on your Facebook page and then move to your website. The chatbot should be able to keep up with that conversation so customers don’t get frustrated having to repeat themselves.
Learning and Improving Over Time
Unlike basic bots that follow scripts, AI ecommerce chatbots can improve over time. As they handle more customer questions, they learn to give better answers.
If a chatbot notices it’s getting the same question repeatedly, it can figure out how to answer it more quickly and accurately in the future.
The more you use your chatbot, the smarter it gets, which saves you time and helps your customers get the answers they need faster.
Tracking Customer Data and Insights
AI ecommerce chatbots can do more than just answer questions — they can also gather useful data. They can track what customers are asking about, which products are popular, and where customers are getting stuck.
This information can help you improve your website, adjust your product offerings, or fine-tune your marketing strategies.
Shopify Integration for Ecommerce Chatbots
Shopify is a leading ecommerce platform known for its user-friendly interface and robust features. It supports over a million businesses worldwide, making it a popular choice for ecommerce entrepreneurs.
Integrating a Shopify chatbot involves a few steps. Here’s how you can do it:
Select a Compatible Chatbot App
Choose a chatbot app that integrates seamlessly with Shopify. A highly recommended option isDenser.ai, which offers advanced AI capabilities for handling complex customer interactions and providing personalized experiences.
Install the App on Your Shopify Store
Once you have chosen Denser.ai, install it on your Shopify store. Here’s how:
- Access your Shopify account and navigate to the main dashboard.
- On the side panel, go to Sales Channels > Pages. You will see a list of the pages that make up your Shopify site. Select the page where you would like to integrate Denser's chat window. For this guide, we chose a page named "Ask About Our Products."
- On the editor for the selected page, click the </> icon on the edit bar under Content. This will display the HTML code used to construct the page.
Prepare HTML Code for Integration
This step is performed in Denser.ai:
- On the main screen of your selected chatbot, ensure you have Integrations selected on the side panel.
- Select the "Integrate with Shopify site" tile and click the "Copy HTML Code" button to copy the code snippet to your clipboard.
Integrate Denser Chatbot as Frame
Finally, you will integrate the Denser chatbot by pasting the HTML code into your Shopify page editor:
- In the HTML editor of your Shopify page, paste the Denser <iframe> code snippet where you want the chatbot to appear.
- Save the changes and publish the page to activate the chatbot integration.
5 Best AI Ecommerce Chatbot Platforms
We've talked a lot about these chatbots and how they work. Next, we'll look at AI ecommerce chatbot platforms and see what makes each one stand out.
1. Denser.ai
Denser.ai is considered one of the best ecommerce chatbots due to its comprehensive feature set and ease of use. This ecommerce bot offers many functionalities, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to improve their customer service and sales processes.
What Makes Denser The Best AI Chatbot for Ecommerce
Denser stands out with its advanced NLP technology, which ensures high accuracy in understanding and responding to customer queries. This allows for more nuanced and effective communication with users, as the system can interpret and engage with customer inputs.
Personalization is another strong suit of Denser. The platform offers interactions that are tailored to individual customer behavior and preferences.
It also provides omnichannel support that enables integration across various platforms, including websites, mobile apps, social media, and messaging apps.
This AI ecommerce chatbot is also designed for easy integration with existing business systems such as CRM, inventory management, and payment gateways. It simplifies the technical complexity often associated with integrating new tools into business operations.
Denser Pricing Plans
- The Free Plan includes 1 bot, 20 queries per month, and up to 100 documents or 50MB of storage.
- The Starter Plan costs $19/month, offering 2 bots, 1,500 queries, and up to 100 documents or 50MB storage per bot.
- The Standard Plan at $89/month provides 4 bots, 7,500 queries, 2,000 documents, or 1GB storage per bot, with API access and 90-day logs.
- The Business Plan is $399/month, with 8 bots, 15,000 queries, up to 10,000 documents or 5GB storage per bot, 360-day logs, and priority support.
For custom solutions, the Enterprise Plan offers tailored features and pricing. Visit Denser.ai’s pricing page for more details. \
Sign up for a free trial or schedule a demo today.
2. Tars
Tars is known for its simplicity and ease of use for ecommerce businesses. This platform allows you to create chatbots quickly without needing any coding skills.
You can get started quickly with pre-built industry templates tailored to your specific business needs. The drag-and-drop bot builder is user-friendly and requires no coding for easy customization of chatbots.
Image Source: https://hellotars.com/
Tars understands customer queries with its NLP capabilities, which provide more human-like interactions. It also offers a seamless transition between chatbots and live agents. All conversations are managed in a unified inbox to track and respond to customer interactions.
Whether on your website or mobile app, Tars provides comprehensive support with both chatbot and live chat functionality. Plus, it integrates effortlessly with platforms like Shopify and WordPress that fit perfectly into your existing setup.
Strengths
- Optimized for mobile users
- Intuitive and easy to navigate
- Quick and effective assistance
- Reliable and powerful software as a service product
Limitations
- Limited ability to tweak the visual design
- Expect to invest a few hours to get fully up to speed
- Some limitations due to WhatsApp's rules
Pricing
Image Source: https://hellotars.com/
Tars offers customized pricing based on your specific needs. The cost depends on factors like the complexity of interactions, integration with human agents, and team collaboration requirements.
3.Customers.ai
Customers.ai, formerly known as MobileMonkey, is an easy-to-use AI chatbot platform that helps businesses find more leads and get higher customer engagement rates with AI-powered email tools.
Image Source: https://customers.ai/chatbots
One of its best features is OmniChatⓇ technology, which allows you to create one chatbot that works across different messaging platforms. You can manage all your conversations from one place using your mobile device.
The platform’s chatbot builder has drag-and-drop tools that make it easy to create and manage your campaigns across Facebook Messenger, Facebook Ads, SMS, and web chat.
Strengths
- Accurate visitor identification
- Real-time behavior insights
- Strong lead generation
- Audience segmentation for personalization
Limitations
- Slight data update delays
- Some users found occasional data sync issues
Pricing
Image Source: https://customers.ai/chatbots
- Meta Advertising Plan: Custom pricing to optimize conversions from Meta ads (contact for details).
- Email Marketing Plan: $199 per month, ideal for businesses centered on email campaigns.
- Combined Meta & Email Plan: Starting at $399 per month, integrates both ad and email marketing capabilities.
- Agency Plan: Flexible pricing tailored to meet the unique needs of marketing agencies, offering fully customized solutions.
4. Chatfuel
Chatfuel also offers a no-code platform that is easy to navigate. It connects with customers on popular platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and website chats.
Image Source: https://chatfuel.com/facebook
Additionally, Chatfuel provides real-time updates on how well your messages are doing, helping you understand what's working and what's not. It works smoothly with your existing customer relationship management systems, which help automate sales processes.
Chatfuel also comes with smart chatbots that handle everyday customer questions quickly, freeing up time for dealing with more complex issues. It uses AI to make ads more engaging and effective.
Strengths
- Fast setup and deployment
- Reliable and accessible support team
- Easily tailor the product to fit specific needs
- Direct links to helpful resources
Limitations
- Restricted to Messenger only
- Limited complexity in chatbot capabilities
- Not entirely intuitive and may require some learning
Pricing
Image Source: https://chatfuel.com/facebook
- The Basic plans for Instagram and Facebook begin at $19.99 per month, covering up to 1,000 conversations, with additional costs for higher usage.
- For WhatsApp users, the Business plan starts at $34.99 per month, supporting 1,000 chatbot interactions.
- The Enterprise plan, priced at $300 per month, includes advanced features, dedicated account management, and bot-building services with bulk pricing options.
5. ManyChat
ManyChat is another user-friendly ecommerce platform that excels in creating chatbots for various purposes, including sales, marketing, and customer support.
Image Source: https://manychat.com/
It offers two interfaces: The Basic Builder, which is simple and perfect for newcomers, and The Flow Builder, which is more detailed and suitable for creating complex interactions. This setup helps users organize and visualize their chatbot conversations effectively.
Strengths
- The visual interface makes it easy for beginners
- Multi-channel support
- Good for creating marketing campaigns
- Supports multiple platforms
Limitations
- Lacks notifications for failed automation
- Needs a better way to see active automation
Pricing
Image Source: https://manychat.com/
- The Free plan allows users to access essential features for up to 1,000 contacts at no charge.
- For those needing additional tools, the Pro plan starts at $15 per month with advanced features.
- For businesses with larger goals, the Elite plan offers custom solutions to meet specific requirements.
Ecommerce Chatbot Use Cases
AI chatbots have a wide range of applications in ecommerce, making them a valuable asset for businesses. Here are some of the best ecommerce chatbot examples in real-world usage:
Customer Support
Customers often have questions about products, order statuses, return policies, etc. Ecommerce chatbots can provide quick and accurate answers to these questions 24/7. This quick assistance helps reduce frustration and improve customer satisfaction.
For example, if a customer wants to know if a product is available in a particular size or color, the chatbot can quickly check the inventory and provide an answer.
Sales and Marketing
AI chatbots play a big role in sales and marketing by engaging with customers throughout the customer journey. They offer personalized product recommendations based on browsing history and preferences.
They can also inform customers about ongoing promotions and discounts to encourage them to purchase.
If a customer is browsing running shoes, the ecommerce chatbot might suggest related products like athletic socks or a fitness tracker, potentially increasing the order value.
Order Processing
They assist customers with placing orders, ensuring the process is smooth and simple. After the purchase, AI ecommerce chatbots provide real-time updates on order status and shipping information.
If a customer needs to return a product, the chatbot guides them through the return process, making it hassle-free.
Gathering Customer Feedback
Gathering customer feedback is also a valuable use case for ecommerce chatbots. They conduct surveys and ask for feedback after a purchase or interaction. This information helps businesses understand customers' likes and dislikes, allowing them to improve.
For example, if several customers mention having trouble finding a specific product category, the business can reorganize the website to make it more user-friendly.
Cart Abandonment Recovery
It’s common for customers to leave items in their shopping cart without completing the purchase. Ecommerce chatbots can help reduce cart abandonment by sending automated reminders to customers.
If a customer leaves the site with items still in their cart, the chatbot can send a message saying, “You have items waiting in your cart. Complete your purchase now and get 10% off!” This gentle nudge can boost conversion rates.
Where Can Businesses Use AI Ecommerce Chatbots?
AI ecommerce chatbots are versatile and can be used on multiple platforms to improve the customer experience. Here are some of the primary places where you can deploy these chatbots:
Websites and Mobile Apps
Your website is the most common place to use an AI ecommerce chatbot. The chatbot can assist and engage customers with finding products, answering questions, and guiding them through the sales process.
Many ecommerce businesses also have mobile apps, and integrating an AI ecommerce chatbot into the app can make it even more user-friendly. Customers can get assistance with their shopping, track orders, and receive personalized recommendations directly within the app.
Social Media Platforms
Conversational commerce chatbots can also be deployed on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
These chatbots can engage with customers directly within the social media environment. They can also answer questions, provide product information, and even help with orders.
Messaging Apps
Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat are becoming increasingly popular for customer interactions. Using AI ecommerce chatbots on these platforms helps businesses to provide quick and convenient customer support.
Customers can ask questions, get updates on their orders, and even make purchases directly through the chat.
Chatbot automation can also improve email communication. Chatbots can automate responses to common customer queries, send personalized product recommendations, follow up on abandoned carts, and provide updates on orders.
This automation helps ensure customers get timely responses and relevant information without human intervention.
Upgrade Your Ecommerce Website with Denser.ai
Is your ecommerce business stuck with outdated customer service? Denser.ai is here to improve that!
Denser ensures your business is always responsive and efficient, providing exceptional service at all hours.
It integrates into all your digital touchpoints—your website, social media, and direct messaging platforms—providing customers with a consistent and personalized experience.
Setting up Denser with your Shopify store couldn’t be easier. It connects seamlessly with your existing systems like CRM, inventory, and payment processes. You can now concentrate on expanding your business while it takes care of the daily interactions.
Don’t wait to upgrade your ecommerce business. Request a product demo, or sign up for a free trial today!
FAQs About AI Chatbot for Ecommerce
What are the common challenges in deploying ecommerce chatbots?
Some common challenges include ensuring the chatbot understands complex queries, integrating the chatbot with existing systems, maintaining data security, and managing the initial setup costs.
However, these challenges can be managed with careful planning and the right chatbot platform.
How do AI chatbots handle seasonal spikes in customer service inquiries?
AI-powered customer support is well-suited to handle seasonal spikes in customer inquiries due to its ability to manage multiple interactions simultaneously.
Chatbots can ensure customer support remains prompt and efficient during peak shopping, such as holidays. They prevent delays and improve the overall customer experience.
Are ecommerce chatbots capable of multilingual support?
Yes, many AI chatbot platforms offer multilingual support, allowing you to communicate with customers in their preferred language. This feature is particularly useful for online stores with a global customer base.