Every day, thousands of dollars in potential sales vanish because your support team is buried under a mountain of basic phone calls.
You built a great brand, but now your team spends all their time repeating return policies instead of closing deals.
It is a trap that keeps successful founders stuck in the weeds while growth stalls out.
This guide will go over the best automated phone answering service for online stores
First, we look at why old phone systems fail. Then, we show you how to set up an AI agent that handles orders, returns, and complex questions in 40+ languages.
Editor’s note: Want to hear some sample support calls made for your Shopify store?
- Just paste your store URL
- Get sample calls in under 20 seconds (no email required)
- Listen to demo calls for my store
What exactly is a Ringly automated phone answering service?
When you hear "automated phone answering," you might think of traditional IVR systems that prompt you to "press one for sales, press two for support."
Modern services, however, are significantly different from that model.
To better understand this shift, the following graphic illustrates the difference between old and new phone automation.
Today’s automated services use conversational AI to understand what a caller is saying and respond in a helpful, human-like way.
They don't just route calls; they actually resolve them.
This is where Ringly.io comes in. Seth isn't just some generic bot. It acts as a dedicated AI phone support rep for your online store, designed to not just answer questions but to take action.
By connecting directly to your Shopify store's data, Seth can check order statuses, start the return process, and even offer product advice.
Core features of the Ringly automated phone answering service
This service is packed with practical features that let it handle customer calls on its own, giving you back valuable time.
Let's break down what makes it so useful for online retailers.
24/7 call handling and instant responses
One of the biggest perks is that it’s always on. Customers get the help when they call, whether it's the middle of the day or the middle of the night.
This gets rid of long wait times and the black hole of voicemail.
Seth can handle over 15 calls at once, so your line is never busy, which is helpful during flash sales or the holiday rush.
With an average resolution rate of 73% across more than 2,100 Shopify stores, your team is freed up to focus on the more complex issues that really need a human touch.
Deep Shopify integration for order and return management
A key aspect of the service is its direct Shopify integration. Instead of giving vague answers, Seth can access real-time order information, tracking details, and customer history to provide specific responses.
Here are a few things Seth can do on its own:
- Order Status: When a customer asks, "Where is my order?" Seth pulls the latest tracking info and gives them an immediate update. If a customer calls from a number you have on file in Shopify, Seth already knows who they are and can bring up their recent order details.
- Returns & Exchanges: Seth can explain your store’s return policy and walk customers through starting the process, all without needing a human agent to get involved.
- Product Questions: You can train Seth on your product catalog, so it can answer questions about sizing, materials, or features.
Multilingual support and brand voice customization
If you sell to customers around the world, offering support in their native language is beneficial.
Ringly.io supports over 40 languages, helping to create a better experience for a global audience.
You can also upload your own knowledge base with FAQs and product details to ensure Seth's answers align with your brand.
This keeps everything accurate and consistent. The AI's voice and tone can even be personalized, so it sounds like a natural extension of your team.
Smart escalation to human agents
A common worry with AI is what happens when it gets stuck. Ringly.io has a practical "safety net" for this. Seth is trained to recognize when it doesn't know an answer, if a customer is getting upset, or if an issue is just too complicated for AI.
Instead of guessing and possibly giving wrong information, it smoothly transfers the call to a human agent.
It also gives your team the full call transcript, so they have all the context they need for a seamless handoff. This helps ensure your customers get the help they need.
How Ringly fits into the AI phone support landscape
There are many AI voice tools available, and Ringly.io focuses on a specific area of e-commerce.
Here’s a look at its approach compared to other solutions.
A focus on inbound support vs. outbound sales
Many AI phone agents are built for general use, while Ringly.io is built for e-commerce support, with a focus on Shopify stores.
This specialization allows it to handle the particular needs of online retailers.
For instance, a platform like Consio also serves Shopify merchants but offers both inbound AI and an outbound dialer for sales.
In contrast, Ringly.io's focus is on automating inbound support to improve service efficiency for businesses.
A rapid, no-code setup
You don't need a team of developers to get this running. In fact, most store owners can set up Seth in minutes.
The setup process is designed to be simple.
You just sign up, connect your Shopify app, and pick a phone number.
The AI is then automatically trained on your store's data and is ready to start answering calls.
This approach makes it a practical option for users without dedicated IT resources.
Call analytics and performance insights
The service includes an analytics dashboard that gives you a clear view of your support operations. You can track key metrics like call volume, cost per call, customer satisfaction (CSAT), and first call resolution (FCR).
This data is more than just numbers; it's feedback you can act on. The dashboard can show you what questions customers are asking most often.
If dozens of people call about your shipping policy, you know it's time to make that information clearer on your website.
These insights help you turn customer support as feedback, saving an average of 83% compared to human-only support.
The ecosystem: Shopify, Twilio, and Zapier
A few key integrations are the engine behind the service, making everything work together.
- Shopify: The native connection is the core of the platform, giving Seth secure access to all the e-commerce data it needs to be helpful.
- Twilio: This industry-leading platform provides the reliable phone numbers and call connectivity that power every conversation.
- Zapier: With a Zapier integration, you can connect Ringly.io to thousands of other apps. This lets you create custom workflows, like automatically creating a ticket in your help desk after a call.
Pricing for the Ringly automated phone answering service
Ringly.io offers clear, transparent plans designed to grow with your business, and they all start with a 14-day free trial so you can see it in action.
Risk-free performance guarantee
A notable aspect of Ringly.io's offering is its performance guarantee.
You are not billed until Seth successfully resolves at least 60% of 100 eligible calls within your first 21 days. If it doesn't meet that benchmark, you will not be charged. This allows users to try the service and confirm its value.
Plans and add-ons
The plans are straightforward and built for different business sizes.
You can also customize your plan with add-ons, like a dedicated Slack channel for priority support ($299/mo), an additional knowledge base ($9/mo), or a new phone number ($5/mo).
To see how AI phone agents like Ringly.io compare to other tools on the market, check out this video review of top alternatives.
See how the Ringly automated phone answering service stacks up against other AI tools in this detailed video review.
An efficient way to handle phone support
The Ringly automated phone answering service is designed to solve customer issues efficiently.
It provides a practical solution for e-commerce brands looking to scale customer service without expanding their team.
For Shopify stores, it offers a path to lower support costs and 24/7 availability.
With an average 73% resolution rate and useful insights from your call data, it provides a tool for managing support operations.
By letting Seth handle repetitive tasks, your team can focus on other aspects of the business.
Ready to automate your phone support?
Stop letting repetitive calls slow you down.
See how Seth can handle your customer support 24/7, so you can focus on growing your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I set up the Ringly automated phone answering service for my Shopify store?
You can get it up and running in about three minutes. Just connect your Shopify store through the app, choose a phone number, and the AI (named Seth) automatically trains on your store's data.
What happens if the Ringly automated phone answering service can't answer a customer's question?
It's designed to be safe. If the AI doesn't know the answer or senses the caller is frustrated, it won't guess. Instead, it will smoothly transfer the call to a human agent on your team and provide them with the full transcript.
Can the Ringly automated phone answering service handle calls in languages other than English?
Yes, it supports over 40 languages. This feature is useful for stores with an international customer base, allowing you to offer support in their native language.
Is the Ringly automated phone answering service just for answering basic questions?
Not at all. Thanks to its deep integration with Shopify, it can handle specific tasks like checking an order's status, providing tracking information, and even starting the return process for a customer.
What kind of analytics does the Ringly automated phone answering service provide?
You get access to a dashboard with key metrics like call volume, customer satisfaction scores, and first-call resolution rates. It also highlights common questions, which can show you where your website or product info might be unclear.
How does the risk-free guarantee for the Ringly automated phone answering service work?
It's a performance guarantee. You won't be charged until the service successfully resolves at least 60% of 100 eligible calls within your first 21 days. It gives you a chance to see its value before committing.
