As an e-commerce store grows, so does the volume of customer phone calls.
Customers frequently call with recurring questions about order status, returns, and product details, which can become time-consuming to manage.
This is where a specialized ai call bot for eCommerce can help. The purpose is not to replace a support team, but to provide customers with instant answers, 24/7.
An effective AI agent can significantly impact support operations.
For example, Seth from Ringly.io handles calls for numerous Shopify stores and resolves approximately 73% of them without human intervention.
In this article, we will go over the best AI call bot for eCommerce.
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What is an AI call bot for e-commerce?
An ai call bot for ecommerce is a smart voice assistant that answers a customer service line.
It uses natural language processing to understand a customer's needs and then provides information or takes action during the call.
This technology moves beyond traditional interactive voice response (IVR) systems, allowing customers to speak naturally as they would to a person.
This process, which you can see visualized below, involves converting speech to text, using a language model to interpret the request, and generating a helpful, spoken reply.
The primary objective is to resolve common and repetitive questions instantly.
By integrating with platforms like Shopify, the bot can look up order information or initiate returns, freeing up human agents to handle more complex issues.
Key features to look for in an AI call bot
Not all AI call bots are built the same, especially for the unique demands of an online store. The right features can be the difference between a frustrated customer and one who received the help they needed.
Deep e-commerce platform integration
A generic bot cannot access important data like order histories, product details, or return policies.
This limits their ability to answer the specific questions customers are calling about.
Native integrations, particularly with platforms like Shopify, are crucial. A well-integrated bot can instantly look up a customer's order and provide an accurate, real-time update.
This helps manage "Where is my order?" (WISMO) inquiries, which are often a significant portion of support calls.
Platforms built for e-commerce often provide native Shopify apps that can be installed quickly to learn from your store's data.
Automated order and returns management
An effective ai call bot for ecommerce takes action, not just provides answers. Leading solutions can manage key e-commerce tasks from start to finish.
For example, when a customer calls to start a return, the AI can ask for their order number, verify it against store data, check the return policy, and initiate the process automatically.
This allows the customer to resolve their issue in minutes without team intervention.
Platforms designed specifically for e-commerce are built to handle these workflows, which contributes to high autonomous resolution rates.
Multilingual support and 24/7 availability
E-commerce is a global business with customers in different countries and time zones. Your support should reflect that.
A clear benefit of an AI agent is its constant availability. It operates 24/7, including holidays, ensuring no call goes to voicemail and customers receive immediate assistance.
Additionally, leading solutions support multiple languages to provide a consistent experience for international customers. For instance, some platforms like Ringly.io support over 40 languages, while others like Voicespin can handle over 100.
Actionable analytics and call insights
The value of an AI bot extends beyond handling calls to the data it collects.
Each conversation offers an opportunity to learn more about your customers and business.
A good platform provides call recordings, full transcripts, and analytics that reveal why customers are calling.
This information can highlight confusion about shipping policies or issues with a specific product.
This feedback helps improve your FAQ page, identify product defects, or resolve shipping problems.
Some platforms include features where the AI agent flags questions it cannot answer, creating a clear list of knowledge base areas that need updating.
Evaluating top AI call bot platforms
Selecting the right platform depends on your specific needs, such as your e-commerce platform, call volume, and available technical resources. Here is a look at a few popular options.
Voicespin
Description: Voicespin is a broad AI contact center solution for various industries, including retail.
It can manage inbound and outbound calls, supports over 100 languages, and integrates with different CRMs to access FAQs and order information.
Pricing: Voicespin's pricing starts at $300/month for a basic plan with five agents. Its AI Voice Bot feature is included in the Enterprise plan, which begins at $1,000/month. A specific quote requires a consultation with their sales team.
Considerations: Voicespin is a general-purpose tool. Its primary AI features are part of its Enterprise plan, which may be more suitable for larger organizations with comprehensive needs.
Bland.ai
Description: Bland.ai is a platform for developers to build custom conversational AI agents.
It is designed for high-speed, high-volume calling and provides engineering teams with a robust set of tools for creating unique solutions.
Pricing: Bland.ai uses a pay-as-you-go model. Call rates start at $0.14/minute on the free plan and decrease to $0.11/minute on their $499/month "Scale" plan.
Considerations: The platform is designed for users with development resources, as it requires coding via its API to build and maintain integrations with store data. It is not an out-of-the-box solution.
Ringly.io
Description: Ringly.io is an ai call bot for ecommerce built specifically for Shopify stores. Its AI agent, Seth, is designed to handle common support inquiries like order tracking and returns.
According to the company, it is used by over 2,100 Shopify brands and resolves an average of 73% of calls autonomously.
The native Shopify integration can be set up in approximately three minutes without coding.
Pricing: Ringly.io has a performance-based trial where users are not billed until the AI resolves at least 60% of the first 100 calls.
After that, the Grow plan is $349/month for 1,000 call minutes, with additional minutes billed at $0.19/minute.
How to implement an AI call bot for your e-commerce store
Getting an AI call bot operational involves more planning than technical expertise. A small amount of preparation can make a significant difference.
Define your goals and KPIs
First, determine what you aim to achieve. Your goals could be reducing your support team's workload, improving response times, or increasing customer satisfaction.
Be specific by setting clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress.
You might measure metrics like call deflection rate, first-contact resolution, and the autonomous resolution rate.
Prepare your knowledge base
An AI's effectiveness depends on the information it can access.
Before launching, gather all relevant documents, including your FAQs, return policies, shipping information, and product details.
A good platform will allow you to upload this information easily, while some can learn automatically from your website and store data.
Prioritize a simple and quick setup
For busy e-commerce owners, a lengthy implementation project can be a significant hurdle.
Platforms requiring extensive custom development may delay results.
Look for a solution designed for simplicity and speed.
For instance, some platforms offer a setup process that involves installing a Shopify app and choosing a phone number, allowing you to go live in minutes instead of months.
The role of AI in modern support
Customer expectations have evolved. People now expect immediate answers, and 24/7 phone support is becoming more accessible for e-commerce stores of all sizes.
The key is to select a specialized ai call bot for ecommerce that understands the daily operations of an online store, from order lookups to return processing.
A tool with native integrations, task automation, and actionable insights can become a valuable component of your support strategy.
It can help free up your team to concentrate on more complex customer needs and business growth.
Take the next step with Ringly.io
To see how an AI phone agent can work for your customer support, you can explore Ringly.io.
Its AI agent, Seth, is designed for Shopify stores and can be set up in under three minutes.
Ringly.io offers a trial where you are not billed until Seth resolves at least 60% of your initial customer calls.
Start your trial today to learn how you can automate support and focus on growing your business.
