Elevate your customer experience (and boost your bottom line) with AI

The future is now when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI).

In today’s competitive ecommerce landscape, delivering exceptional customer experiences is paramount. Customers expect personalized, seamless and efficient interactions. Fortunately, AI offers a powerful toolkit to meet these rising expectations.

Here are some data-backed ways AI can transform your customer experience and boost your bottom line:

Hyper-personalized product recommendations

Move beyond generic suggestions. AI-powered engines analyze browsing history, purchase patterns and even real-time interactions to recommend products customers truly desire.

More than half (54%) of Canadians have explored AI-driven product recommendations from ecommerce brands, and nearly a third (31%) have even gone on to make a purchase.

Never out of stock again

Say goodbye to frustrated customers and lost sales due to inventory issues. AI-powered forecasting predicts demand based on trends and events, ensuring you always have the right products in stock.

The majority (64%) of Canadians believe that smart inventory, powered by AI, has a strong potential to enhance their shopping experience.

Dynamic product pricing for a competitive edge

AI algorithms analyze market conditions, competitor pricing and even customer behaviour to adjust prices in real-time. This allows you to offer competitive product pricing while maximizing profits.

Among Canadian online shoppers, 60% believe real-time product pricing is a key AI feature businesses can adopt to enhance the shopping experience.

Rich product descriptions that sell

AI can generate detailed and informative product descriptions, highlighting key features and benefits tailored to individual customer preferences. Nearly half (46%) of Canadian online shoppers suggest these real-time product descriptions enhance their shopping experience.

Instant support, around the clock

Customers crave instant gratification. AI-powered chatbots provide 24/7 support, answering questions, resolving issues and offering personalized assistance. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of Canadians report having interacted with an online chatbot while shopping.

Proactive service that delights

Anticipate customer needs before they even arise. Canadians don’t mind turning to AI for support tasks, especially if it updates orders and delivery (64%), answers real-time questions or provides product info (56%), guides them through shopping (41%) or provides in-store guidance or product info (36%). All of these AI tasks offer shoppers a sense of transparency and control.

Intuitive search with visuals

Empower customers to find what they’re looking for effortlessly. AI-powered image search allows users to upload pictures or use visual cues to find similar products. More than 1 in 3 Canadian online shoppers (41%) have used image search to discover products.

Try before you buy, virtually 

Reduce purchase hesitation and returns with virtual tools for shoppers. More than a third (38%) love virtual try-on tools that show how clothes, accessories or even makeup will look on them before committing to a purchase. More than half (54%) enjoy using virtual design tools to “place” furniture in their homes without the heavy lifting. These are particularly effective for Millennials, Gen X and females.

Frictionless checkout for increased conversions 

Simplify the checkout process with AI-powered tools that pre-fill forms, offer personalized payment options, and streamline the entire experience.

AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s a present-day necessity for ecommerce businesses looking to thrive. By leveraging AI-powered strategies, you can create exceptional customer experiences that foster loyalty, drive sales and set your business apart.

Sources:
Canada Post, 2023 eShopper Diary, AI technologies engagement questions, Fall 2023.