Ways to Use AI in Your eCommerce Business
AI (Artificial Intelligence), NLP (Natural language processing) and ML (machine learning) are some of the most popular techs available right now. Have you noticed how often you encounter these technologies when online? You probably have! That’s because many ecommerce sites are turning to AI to gain better insights and understanding into their customers, create new leads, and provide a better user experience.
In this article, we promise not to get into the techy sides of these technologies. Instead, we aim to point out the benefits your ecommerce business could gain from using AI and ML to improve your business.
1) A/B Tests
A/B tests are scientific tests used to test two different versions of the same website, an individual web page, or other types of digital assets. The tests make a comparison of the two versions to see which ones are the best.
Some choose to conduct manual tests; however, this is a place where AI shines. AI makes it possible to create and test a large number of variations all at the same time. What’s the benefit for your business? With the constant testing of new variations, it’s possible to use the AI test results to make those important tweaks to your site.
In the end, running A/B tests not only helps to improve your website and user experience. AI can also save you and your team time that could be better spent on other projects.
2) Chatbots Provide that Personal Touch
AI-powered natural language processing makes it much easier for humans and machines to communicate with one another. Here, you may have experience with Google Assistant, Siri, or Alexa. These technologies are based on AI-powered natural language processing tech.
This same tech can be used on ecommerce sites as sales assistants and even chatbots. These can be used to answer customer questions in real-time. Instead of having to write an email and send it in, customers can receive an answer right when they need it.
Not only that, but chatbots can automate order processes and are also great for certain levels of customer service. Customer service via social media has taken off in recent years and is even becoming more accepted by customers.
AI can work as sales assistants and customer service support directly with the customer. The AI technology makes it easier and faster to help customers have questions answered and/or find a solution. And your business benefits from higher customer satisfaction and increased sales. That’s what we’d like to call the best of both worlds for customers and businesses.
3) Personalised Recommendations
Did you know that Netflix uses AI and ML through its recommendations engine? Ecommerce stores can also use AI in similar ways. For example, AI can be used to compute piles of data created by your website. Then the technology can help you find cross-sell and up-sell opportunities that are being missed. In this instance, AI could help your business make more money.
What’s more, AI can be used to improve recommendations for your customers. The technology, again, can scan through all the mountains of data gathered by your website. Within that data, there may be information that could be used to predict customer behaviour. This means there might be an opportunity to offer more personalised recommendations for each customer.
Why is this important? Because providing such personalised information to customers may work to improve their shopping experience. Such deep personalisation could be used to predict customer behaviour and even make predictions based on this behaviour.
This is a sector that’s relatively new and is evolving over time. The good news is that AI is making it possible to give your customer a more personalised experience. When this happens, there’s a greater chance they’ll come back and make another purchase in the future.
4) New Product Research
AI can even help with new product research! How’s that possible? For one thing, AI can analyse open-ended text responses from across multiple channels. These include email, social media, customer service logs, and more.
AI gives you the power to process all the data that comes to your company through these multiple channels. What comes out the other side? A better understanding of what your customers want and what they think and feel. That’s powerful information.
What’s more, artificial intelligence can also be used to ask follow-up questions. Algorithms are used to ask survey follow-up questions based on previous customer responses. Again, you gain a deeper, valuable insight into what your customers want and need.
Not only does AI keep humans from having to process all the data, but it can also help save time writing all the reports that go with the mountain of information. Your market researcher’s job will be that much easier, and their time better spent in other areas. AI can easily generate the reports needed.
5) Virtual Changing Rooms
Virtual changing rooms are becoming increasingly popular due to AI technology. This is a type of tech that allows shoppers to virtually try on clothing without physically touching it. AI can help the customer check the sizing, the style, and even the fit of the product without even having to put it on!
Virtual changing rooms can make great use of AI in this type of setting. AI uses algorithms and machine learning to create a 360-degree 3D model of a customer’s body. The scan is then laid over the customer’s 3D model, which allows the customer to see what the product looks like on them.
This can even be done from a customer’s home! There’s no need to go into the store for this type of scan. What a great convenience this is for customers who have busy lives!
Summing It Up
These are only a few of the ways that AI can be used in ecommerce. Now’s the time to take advantage of all that AI can bring to your ecommerce business. Not only can AI create a better user experience, but it can also boost your company’s bottom line.