5 Big Wins You Get with an AI Shopping Assistant (episode 599)

by Chloë Thomas

Yaël de Keijzer and Anna Atmis are from Doofinder. Doofinder has been helping eCommerce brands improve product discovery and search experiences for over 15 years. Today, more than 10,000 online stores worldwide use the platform to create faster, smarter, and more intuitive shopping experiences through AI-powered technology. 

In this episode, they break down how AI shopping assistants are changing the eCommerce experience for both brands and customers. From improving product discovery and increasing conversions to uncovering hidden customer insights, this conversation is packed with practical ideas for businesses looking to grow smarter with AI.

Yaël de Keijzer and Anna Atmis Doofinder on eCommerce MasterPlan Podcast

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Dive in: 

[05:48] Using AI tools effectively 
[07:14] Closing the eCommerce Finding Gap 
[11:14] Optimizing cross-sell strategies 
[14:08] Using AI to boost sales 
[18:10] Importance of integrated AI in eCommerce 
[22:00] AI in everyday shopping 
[25:01] Finding your ideal customer 
[26:37] Listen to Yaël and Anna’s Top Tips! 
[34:02] Episode sponsored by Doofinder. Grab their 15-day trial at Doofinder.com

1 – AI Shopping Assistants Help Customers Find What They Actually Want 

One of the biggest wins from an AI shopping assistant is closing the “finding gap” in eCommerce. Customers often search using everyday language, while products are labeled differently inside a store’s catalog. Traditional search tools struggle with this. AI shopping assistants understand intent instead of just matching keywords. That means shoppers can find products faster, enjoy a smoother experience, and are far more likely to convert instead of leaving the site frustrated. 

2 – AI Makes Upselling and Cross-Selling Feel Natural 

Most shoppers can spot a forced upsell instantly. But AI shopping assistants can recommend products in a way that feels helpful and relevant instead of pushy. During the episode, the guests explain how AI understands what the customer is trying to achieve and suggests products that genuinely fit the situation. That could mean recommending accessories, bundles, or upgraded products at exactly the right moment. The result is a better customer experience and a higher average order value for the store. 

3 – Your eCommerce Store Can Sell 24/7 

Customers shop at all hours, but support teams cannot stay online forever. AI shopping assistants help stores continue selling even when staff members are unavailable. They can answer questions about products, sizing, store policies, shipping, and more in real time. This helps remove hesitation during the buying journey and prevents customers from leaving to buy elsewhere. It also frees up customer service teams to focus on more complex conversations that truly need a human touch. 

4 – AI Turns “No Results” Searches Into New Sales Opportunities 

One of the most interesting takeaways from the episode is how AI assistants can turn failed searches into valuable business insights. Instead of simply showing “no results,” the assistant can understand what the customer is trying to find and guide them toward alternatives. At the same time, brands gain visibility into missing products and rising customer demand. The guests shared an example of a toy store discovering demand for ADHD-friendly toys through customer searches. These insights can help eCommerce brands improve their product assortment and unlock new revenue opportunities. 

5 – AI Conversations Reveal Valuable eCommerce Insights 

AI shopping assistants do more than help customers shop. They also collect rich data about customer behavior, navigation issues, and shopping intent. eCommerce brands can analyze these conversations to uncover UX problems, confusing site journeys, and even expansion opportunities. Customers often ask unexpected questions that reveal what they truly want from a brand. Instead of spending heavily on traditional market research, stores can use these real conversations to make smarter business decisions faster. 

eCommerce Book Top Tip 

eCommerce Traffic Top Tip 

  • Yaël: Focus on quality over quantity. One highly targeted ad shown to the right customer is far more valuable than hundreds of low-intent impressions. 
  • Anna: Create helpful, educational content that guides shoppers to better decisions instead of relying only on constant ads and promotions. 

Tool Top Tip 

  • Gamma AI
  • Yaël adds: Before adding more AI tools to your stack, check the integrations and hidden capabilities your existing tools already offer. Many eCommerce brands are missing powerful automation opportunities already available to them. 

Carbon Top Tip 

  • Yaël: Reducing product returns is one of the best ways to lower an eCommerce store’s carbon footprint. Better product data and AI-powered guidance help customers choose the right products the first time. 
  • Anna: Embrace remote work and digital collaboration to reduce unnecessary travel while keeping teams focused, efficient, and productive. 

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