How to create a shopping bot? Step by step to your own AI assistant in e-commerce
Dla biznesu
6 November 2025
Business process automation and the rapid development of artificial intelligence have made consumers increasingly willing to use solutions that make online shopping easier. One such tool is the shopping bot. It is a virtual assistant that helps customers find products, compare offers, and even guide them through the ordering process. In this article, we will guide you step by step through the process of creating your own shopping bot. We will cover everything from definitions and examples to choosing the right technology and pitfalls to avoid.
Shopping bot – what is it and how does it work in practice?
A shopping bot is nothing more than a special computer programme, most often in the form of a chatbot, which simulates a conversation with a customer. The bot guides the customer through the purchasing process and can operate in instant messengers such as Messenger or WhatsApp, on websites, and now even in mobile applications. .
How does it work in practice? The customer interacts with the bot, for example by typing in the question "I need running shoes in size 42". The bot analyses the query and suggests matching products. It may also ask for details such as colour, budget or preferred brand. Finally, the customer selects a product and the bot guides them to a quick purchase. All this without having to search through the entire shop. !
This makes shopping faster, simpler and more intuitive. Customers feel that someone is guiding them, and the company increases the chance of completing the transaction and reduces the number of abandoned shopping baskets.
Thanks to AI technology, shopping bots can analyse customer needs and offer them personalised solutions. This is what InPost Fresh has done, enabling its customers to place orders via an AI-based chatbot on a daily basis. This example shows that virtual assistants are no longer just an interesting addition, but a new standard in e-commerce.
Examples of shopping bots
There are already many examples of bots on the market that demonstrate how diverse the applications of this technology can be. First and foremost, it is worth taking a look at how InPost Fresh works. Instead of clicking on product categories, customers can type in what they need, and the bot generates a ready-made shopping basket based on this information. This saves a great deal of time and makes life easier for those who value convenience.
Another example is the use of a shopping bot at H&M. There, a chatbot allows customers to find outfits tailored to the occasion and their fashion preferences. All the user has to do is describe their style, and the bot will suggest ready-made outfits. Sephora, on the other hand, allows its customers to "test" cosmetics online. In practice, this means that customers can use a special filter to see how a particular shade of lipstick or blush will look on them. .
Each of these examples shows that a shopping bot does not have to be limited to one industry. Its operation will be appreciated by owners of food, fashion, cosmetics, and even catering businesses!
How to create a shopping bot – choosing the technology and platform
You already know the advantages of having a chatbot. Now let's consider how to introduce it to your shop. Before you implement your virtual assistant, let's break it down into several stages.
First, define your goal. Ask yourself a few simple questions:
- Is the bot intended to assist my customers in selecting products?
- Is it intended for order processing?
- Should they act as advisors and increase additional sales?
Once you know the answers, you can start choosing a platform. Messengers such as Messenger and WhatsApp are great for quick contact with customers. You can also place the bot as a widget that will serve everyone who visits your shop. You can also implement it in your mobile application, if you already have one.
Next, select the appropriate technology. To begin with, explore simple chatbot builders such as ManyChat or Tidio. They are well suited to small businesses that want to quickly launch this option for their customers. However, if you want something more advanced, it is worth looking into AI platforms such as Google's Dialogflow or integrating with Chat GPT. Such an assistant has much greater capabilities than a basic chatbot.
Once the platform is ready, connect the bot to your online shop system and product database. This will allow the bot to present your current offer, check availability, and add products to the basket. Remember, however, that the bot does not have to be perfect at first. Monitor its interactions with customers and gradually develop conversation scenarios.
The role of artificial intelligence in shopping bots
There is no denying that artificial intelligence is the biggest breakthrough in the development of bots. Thanks to it, bots are no longer simple scripts that only respond to a few rigid questions. Now they can analyse natural language and understand different statements. They can also personalise recommendations. They analyse purchase history and suggest products that match the customer's preferences.
What's more, AI is constantly learning. The more interactions it has, the better it will understand customers and tailor its responses. AI also combines data from multiple sources, such as CRM and logistics systems.
Without AI, a shopping bot would be nothing more than a search engine. Thanks to intelligent algorithms, it becomes an advisor that actually helps your customers while increasing sales in your shop.
The most common mistakes when creating shopping bots
When creating your own bot, keep in mind a few pitfalls that can effectively discourage your customers. First and foremost, avoid overly rigid conversation scenarios. A bot that only answers a few questions will quickly frustrate the user.
Lack of integration with the shop system can lead to many misunderstandings. A bot that shows customers products that are not physically in stock may result in the customer losing trust. Although it is indeed worth enriching the bot with the ability to interact with customers in various ways, it is important to exercise restraint. The bot should be simple and intuitive. Too many options can overwhelm the customer.
A bot cannot operate independently and offer no means of contacting the customer. Even the best-designed algorithm cannot solve all your customers' problems. It is always a good idea to leave the option of contacting a consultant.
Do not neglect testing either. The bot should be monitored, and based on its conversations, it should be continuously developed. Set a time frame for monitoring its activities. This will allow you to adapt it to the real needs of your customers.
Is it worth having a shopping bot in your company?
More and more entrepreneurs are implementing shopping bots in their companies to make shopping easier for customers, increase sales and improve service. The example of InPost Fresh shows that integrating a bot with AI can completely transform the shopping experience. Shopping bots are not the future, but the present of e-commerce.
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