When we hear ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI), our first thought is usually a crazy plot element that’s featured in science-fiction movies and novels. When it comes to eCommerce, AI is centered around algorithms and learning technologies, which provide the foundation for automating processes.
Today’s online retailers need to use AI to provide a superior customer and user experience in eCommerce and make wise decisions based on customer data. A survey by HubSpot stated that 63% of clients don’t know they are using AI technologies. This shows that it is possible to deploy AI for your eCommerce site indirectly or without you even knowing about it.
However, the AI eCommerce capabilities extend far and wide. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top benefits of AI integration in eCommerce and how it can enhance the online shopping experience.
Personalization
Personalization in eCommerce refers to the practice of adapting personal shopping experiences and interactions based on each customer’s individual needs, wants, and preferences. They may show recently viewed items, send an automated personalized message, or create customized product lists.
This can be translated as the strategy to personalize the online shopping experience for customers by showing them content (brands, campaigns, products) dynamically or actively. This is based on the customer’s click-through behavior, browsing habits, past purchases, etc.
Even before the implementation of AI-powered eCommerce, personalization was part of the industry. However, computers can now crunch large amounts of data, enabling real-time analysis and optimization. In addition, eCommerce stores offer thousands of products and gain many return customers.
Software or algorithms can analyze data quickly on the spot and find trends in customer behavior. AI eCommerce stores that offer personalized product recommendations can take advantage of customers’ impulse buying. Cross-selling and upselling can be done by recommending products at the checkout based on the customer’s preferred categories and brands.
Voice Commerce and Virtual Assistants
Chatbots are virtual assistants for eCommerce that utilize machine learning and language processing technologies to understand the customer’s query and provide support. This doesn’t surprise us anymore since we are all familiar with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple’s Siri.
Virtual assistants are a priority for eCommerce businesses because they can be accessed 24/7 and handle queries easily. This also improves the scalability of a business. Virtual assistants can perform a variety of tasks, from researching products to managing inventory.
Voice technology has long been in existence, and businesses have used it ever since the 1960s. Today, voice commerce is growing at an incredible rate. It is a technology that allows users to purchase or search using their voice. Many people prefer voice commerce because they don’t need to type anything to search, making this option convenient and fast.
eCommerce Automation
The current eCommerce platform must operate 24/7 across multiple channels at the same time. AI-powered automation helps eCommerce companies manage and complete repetitive tasks efficiently and swiftly, streamlining both front and back-end workflow.
AI can automate tasks in eCommerce, such as showcasing newly launched products across channels to sync sales, giving discounts to loyal customers, and identifying transactions with high risk.
Automating tasks will save your business both time and effort. You will also see increasing profitability margins and lower costs of products for customers. All in all, automation is considered one of AI’s leading benefits in eCommerce.
Demand Forecasting and Price Optimization
Artificial intelligence tools in eCommerce can predict future demand by analyzing real-time customer behavior. This allows you to modify your products and services better. AI tools will optimize the prices of your products automatically as per their demand, even if you sell a lot of different items.
The AI tools can adjust prices based on data such as the weather, season, time of day, and weekday. This so-called “dynamic pricing” is now more possible and effective than ever thanks to AI-driven eCommerce. Airlines, hotels, booking sites, and other industries use AI tools to boost their revenue through dynamic pricing.
Smart Search
Customers often use the search bar to locate products on eCommerce websites. These customers are more likely to buy than those who “window shop” and are unable to find the item they want. However, many people find that even when they use relevant keywords they still can’t locate what they are looking for.
Smart search, also known as searchandizing, is a combination between merchandising techniques and online search. This combines merchandising practices with an online search. Searchandizing combines advanced features, such as faceted search and navigation, autocomplete, suggested product listings, recent search results, etc., with traditional search techniques.
eCommerce platforms can use image annotators in order to provide personalized, user-friendly, and useful search experiences based on behavioral data.
Increased Loyalty and Retention
Customers who return to your online store are more profitable than new ones. Returning customers tend to spend more money and are your best marketers, spreading the word about your product among their family, friends, and followers.
AI is able to predict trends and learn more about shoppers. You can then deliver customized experiences to each customer based on the channels they prefer and their interactions with you.
Chatbots are also important for customer retention. AI-powered sales representatives can automate routine questions and provide instant information to existing customers about their orders. This removes any friction that they may have had about making a second purchase and creates a delightful experience that keeps them coming back.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence has been proven to be beneficial for both online retailers and customers. Many of the AI benefits in eCommerce we outlined in this article make it easier for brick-and-mortar businesses to enter the eCommerce market, grow quickly, and even go global.
