AI in E-Commerce - Redefining the Future of Shopping Experience

Overview: E-commerce with AI solutions has recently become one of the fastest-growing industries that deliver round-the-clock service for shoppers. Many traditional e-commerce businesses face challenges from handling the supply of orders to delivering the items on time. With AI’s automated technology, every industry and e-commerce can improve the shopping experience for customers. Are you excited about how AI in e-commerce will boost your business revenue? Continue reading!  

Artificial intelligence (AI) has an impact on every industry in the world. From boosting consumer experiences to optimizing corporate operations, AI and related technologies are propelling the e-commerce sector ahead. Learning algorithms and technologies are fast changing how we buy and sell things online, making e-commerce particularly vulnerable to AI disruption. The global market for AI in retail is expected to be worth more than $3 billion in 2019. Over the next eight years, the market for AI in retail is predicted to grow at an exponential rate, reaching $23.32 billion in 2027. 

The AI in E-commerce industry enables personalized and engaging buying experiences. Many companies have started utilizing AI-enabled solutions to track their consumers' preferences in real time and give them dependable and personalized purchasing experiences. Based on the user's preferences, AI may provide relevant product recommendations. According to statistics, income from Social Commerce was over $2 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to reach $100 billion by 2030. In today's world, there is no such thing as a "one-size-fits-all" solution for businesses. Let's look at artificial intelligence in more detail before going into AI in E-Commerce. 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence refers to a computer's or a robot's ability to do tasks that would typically need human intelligence and judgment. AI is less about a certain structure or function and more about a process and the ability to think quickly and analyze data. AI conducts manual operations on a regular, high-volume basis rather than automating them. It accomplishes so in a consistent and non-fatiguing manner. Humans will, of course, be required to set up the system and ask the proper questions.

• AI is used by chatbots to better understand client issues and provide more effective replies.

• Intelligent assistants use AI to analyze critical information from large free-text datasets to improve scheduling.

• Automatic online purchase suggestions can be made by recommendation engines based on a user's viewing behaviors.

The goal of AI is to develop software that can reason and explain depending on information. AI will let humans interact with software in a human-like manner and provide decision-making assistance for specialized tasks, but it will never be a substitute for humans. The artificial intelligence software sector is predicted to grow rapidly in the next few years, reaching a market value of more than $126 billion by 2025. 

Why prefer Artificial Intelligence?

• AI helps to enhance the intelligence of the existing product. Day-to-day tech products will benefit from AI capabilities, similar to how Siri was added as a feature to a new generation of Apple gadgets. By merging automation, conversational platforms, bots, and smart robots with large amounts of data, many technologies may be enhanced. At home and at business, updates include security intelligence and smart cameras, as well as investment analysis.

• AI adapts by allowing data to self-program using progressive learning algorithms. AI searches for structure and regularities in data in order for computers to learn. By implementing an algorithm it can teach itself to play chess, and it can also teach itself what product to propose on the internet next. As new data is introduced, the models are updated.

• AI analyses a growing amount of data using neural networks with several hidden layers. Creating a fraud detection system with five hidden tiers used to be tough. All of that has changed with the arrival of supercomputers and big data. Deep learning models require a large amount of data to train since they learn directly from the data.

• AI uses deep neural networks to achieve incredible accuracy. For example, deep learning is used in all of your interactions with Alexa and Google. And when you use these tools more, they get more accurate. 

• AI makes the best use of data. When it comes to self-learning algorithms, the data is a valuable resource. The solutions can be found in the data. All that's required now is to utilize AI to track them down. Data may give a competitive advantage since it is more important than ever before. Even if everyone uses the same methods, in a competitive business, the company with the most data will win.

What are the various technologies used to support AI?

• Advanced Algorithm: 

They are being produced and combined in unique ways in order to analyze more data faster and at various levels. Detecting and predicting odd occurrences, grasping complex systems, and optimizing specific settings all need advanced processing.

• APIs:

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are portable code packages that allow AI to be integrated into existing products and services. They might include image recognition and question-and-answer capabilities into home security systems to help explain data, create captions and headlines, and highlight significant patterns and insights.

• Computer Vision:

It utilizes pattern recognition and deep learning to figure out what's in a picture or video. Robots that can process, analyze, and comprehend images will be able to gather and interpret photos and movies in real time.

• Graphical Processing Unit:

It's critical for AI because it provides the huge computational power required for iterative processing. Hence, it needs a lot of data and a lot of computer power to train neural networks.

• NLP:

Natural Language Processing (NLP) is the ability of computers to analyze, grasp, and synthesize human language, including speech. The next step of NLP is natural language interaction, which allows humans to connect with computers using everyday language to complete tasks.

• IoT:

The Internet of Things generates massive amounts of data from connected devices, the bulk of which remains unanalyzed. It’s utilized in AI to automate models, allowing us to employ it more frequently.

How AI will bring change to the E-Commerce Industry?

Technology continues to push the boundaries of what ecommerce can achieve, from digital transformation and software-as-a-service to VR and AI. Every day, something new comes to the attention of online retailers as a result of technological advancements. Because one of the most difficult aspects of running an e-commerce business is discovering the appropriate prospects, we will never be without anything fresh and exciting to explore. 

Artificial intelligence isn't just a fad that's been embraced for the purpose of being "cool." AI deployment has the potential to impact a wide range of business processes within the organization. Understanding the components of AI will assist us in determining how it will impact the organization. Over the last few years, AI has evolved into a strong tool for increasing sales and optimizing processes. Many small ecommerce businesses started to employ enterprise AI solutions. 

What are the prime benefits of using AI in E-Commerce business?

• Improved Customer Retention:

Personalizing marketing and advertising communications to customers might help them stick around longer. It's been noted that AI personalisation methods have the ability to increase revenue and retention. Personalisation necessitates the collection of additional data and insights about customers, and it's an asset that adds value across the value chain. The ROI of personalization will soon surpass that of traditional mass marketing.

• Seamless Automation:

The goal of automation is to execute a task with as little human intervention as possible. It will help scheduling emails using a CRM or marketing tool, automating accounting operations, or utilizing modern technology to help with hiring. AI has the ability to automate many of the mundane tasks that keep an internet business functioning. AI can automate things like product recommendations, loyalty discounts, low-level service, and more.

• Targeted Marketing & Advertising:

According to experts, personalization and customization is a main goal for many firms, but only a few have fully implemented it across all channels. Sending a more personalized message and participating in one-on-one conversation with clients might help businesses stand out from the throng. Advances in AI and machine learning have enabled deep customization methods, allowing the material to be customized for each unique user. By analyzing huge data from purchase histories and other consumer interactions, we can zero in on exactly what customers want and deliver the message that will resonate the most. 

• Well-Planned Sales Process:

AI will help in developing a more successful sales process by gathering data about clients, automating follow-up abandoned cart inquiries, and more. It can help customers go through the sales funnel by allowing them to ask simple questions to chatbots. 

What are the various use cases of AI in E-Commerce?

• Customer Segmentation:

E-Commerce companies can better understand their customers and spot new trends with more corporate and consumer data and processing power than ever before. AI systems can quickly assess a wide range of customer engagement options and enhance their effectiveness as fresh data becomes available. This means that marketers may set criteria and then let AI learn and improve to achieve accuracy.

• Enhanced Customer Service:

Virtual assistants and chatbot technologies will provide the illusion of higher-touch customer support. While these bots aren't completely self-contained, they may assist with basic transactions, freeing up real-life support staff to deal with more complex issues. Virtual assistants also have the advantage of being available round the clock allowing them to solve small issues and concerns without having to wait for the customer. 

• Personalized Product Recommendations:

It's now easier than ever to collect and process customer data about their online shopping experience. AI is being used to provide personalized product recommendations based on historical customer behavior and similar consumers. On websites that suggest items to customers based on previous purchases, machine learning is utilized to analyze your buy history. Retailers utilize machine learning to collect, analyze, and apply data in order to deliver a personalized experience, launch a marketing campaign, optimize pricing, and provide customer insights. Machine learning will require less and less input from data scientists in the future for typical types of applications in e-commerce businesses.

• Pricing Optimization:

AI-assisted dynamic pricing is a means of adjusting the product's price depending on supply and demand. With the right data, today's systems can predict when and what to discount, dynamically establishing the minimum discount necessary for the sale.

• Sales & Demand Forecasting:

We all want to plan inventory using both real-time and historical data, especially in the COVID-19 environment. We can use AI to help us with this. Real-time customer analytics will be crucial for monitoring and responding to changes in consumer demand, which may be utilized for pricing optimization or targeted marketing.

• Smart Logistics:

Machine learning's predictive skills shine in the logistics industry, aiding with projecting transit times, demand levels, and delivery delays. Smart logistics, also known as intelligent logistics, is all about leveraging real-time data from sensors, RFID tags, and other devices to better manage inventory and estimate demand. Machine learning systems improve with time, allowing them to make more precise supply chain and logistical forecasts. 

How to implement AI in the E-Commerce Industry?

Trying out new and creative technologies is always appealing. However, before we begin implementing a new program, we must first ensure that we have a plan in place to prevent wasting time and money on false beginnings.

• Create a strategy:

Begin anywhere, and the strategy will define the steps required to achieve the AI goal. Give some serious thought to what we want AI to do. Keep a practical mindset and remember to start small. In the future, we can always build on our accomplishments.

• Choose narrow use cases for corporate strategy:

In the most effective AI use cases, business objectives, data differentiation, and generally available artificial intelligence models all come together. Focus on revenue-generating opportunities where we have a data advantage and can use proven AI technology.

• Leverage third-party expertise:

We wish to accept professional guidance on this one, even if we're an AI expert. Bring in the best team for a project or part-time basis to get into the specifics and help e-commerce businesses to establish a strategic AI roadmap. Those third parties could also be able to help us get the MVP (minimum viable product) off the ground.

• Build a complete solution:

After the team's effort has earned confidence, it's time to build a comprehensive custom AI solution for E-commerce. Don't be surprised if it takes a few iterations to get it to function the way we want. As the team grows more comfortable working in the AI space, we'll start to see more benefit from the efforts we implement. 

What are the top 5 Shopify AI-powered apps to check out this 2022?

Here are the top 5 AI-powered Shopify apps that include: 

• Dialogue AI Personalization:

Dialogue AI personalization is a featured app that lets customers and businesses start a personal dialogue to boost their conversion rate. This app evaluates your visitors using AI personalization algorithms to provide customized content and product recommendations that will likely generate sales. In addition to continuously improving the messaging with real-time data, it automatically creates compelling content and promotes the most relevant content based on each user journey. 

It provides ready-to-use design templates that can be quickly customized so that you may develop, manage and display rich content throughout your store. You can even change the fonts, colors, design, button functionality, add stickers, and more. Beyond personalized content and product recommendations, Dialogue also provides automated cross-and up-sells, automating branding of your content assets and smart banners. However, Dialogue helps SMBs provide outstanding customer support and access to cutting-edge eCommerce personalization solutions. Top artificial intelligence agencies are always generating tailored content in order to have all variable alternatives that can get the AI discourse as near to human contact as possible.

• Recart FB Messenger Marketing:

You can create Messenger and SMS flows to raise customer engagement and, subsequently, sales with the help of the Recart app powered by AI. Recart's pre-built flows will help you focus your brand's message on Facebook Messenger to better connect with your customers at every stage of their purchasing journey, from the initial welcome message to tailored cart abandonment reminders and product review requests. Email click-through and open rates are slipping (especially around the holidays, when individuals are more active on social media and likely to take time off). One of the most popular Shopify apps, it is highly regarded by well-known brands and is widely used by store owners. 

• SEO King:

Your Shopify store is bursting at the seams with pictures, text, and writing, all of which require careful SEO attention. Other significant factors crucial in deciding your site's Google rankings include site speed, meta titles, alt-texts, JSON-LD, sitemaps, etc. SEO King is practically the go-to solution for all things SEO on Shopify, much like the well-known Yoast SEO WordPress plugin. 

While employing AI to optimize your product photos (size compression, alt text, file name, etc.) is the app's primary goal, it also helps with practically all other on-site SEO tactics. You can use the Full Store SEO Scan to see all possible improvement areas and resolve any problems quickly. To find out more about your most popular SEO keywords, visit the Keywords Manager. You may learn more about your ranking statistics and click-through rates by using Google Performance.             

• Signifyd - Fraud Protection:

Signifyd gives store owners comprehensive transparency on all transactions through the Agent Console and instructive reports to identify trends in the buying process and order fulfillment by fusing the power of AI, machine learning, big data, and manual expert reviews. By offering an automated Chargeback Recovery solution and a cash guarantee in the event of item-not-received (INR) claims, the app essentially releases eCommerce merchants from liability for fraud. 

This guards them against exploitation. Signifyd automatically examines each order that comes into your Shopify store and notifies you whether or not it should be shipped. Workflows can be easily set up to automatically cancel orders the app has rejected and capture those it has accepted.    

• Google & Facebook Ads by AdScale:

AdScale is an AI-powered ad creation and optimization tool for eCommerce companies' Facebook, Instagram, and Google ads (Search, Shopping, and Display). The app uses AI to analyze your store data and order history to help you create custom adverts that promote the right products on the right channels to the right audience at the right time. The app's BI engine creates key performance indicators, customer groups, segments products, and simulates ways to increase income after being installed and integrated with your store to suggest the best advertising strategies. 

It modifies bids and audience targeting in real-time for the best outcomes. AdScale can generate advertising automatically for the channels you specify, or you can manually select the products you want to advertise. You can set a daily, monthly, or recurrent budget cap for each ad campaign and stop and start the advertising whenever you like.   

Summing Up

AI in E-Commerce is providing innovative solutions and user experiences. As the market for AI in e-commerce grows, any business that does not invest in its potential will be left behind in the trend. AI and cloud technologies are expected to have a significant and beneficial impact on the e-commerce industry in the next few years. It will change and also enhance how users look for information on the internet. AI-driven platforms will be a sure shot success for e-commerce success. Enterprises willing to build their e-commerce business with latest technology can gain professional support from the enterprise software development company to avail AI solutions to stay ahead of the competition.