AI Multilingual Ecommerce Workflows For Global Expansion: A Guide

For growing and ambitious Shopify Plus businesses, global expansion is the next step to scaling. 

However, expanding on a global scale is complex and requires deep expertise in all areas, including localization, cultural contexts, operations, and more.

This is where AI-powered multilingual workflows come in, making multilingual global expansion easier.

In this blog, we discuss all about AI multilingual eCommerce workflows, why it’s important, how to implement it, and more.

Why is multilingual eCommerce important for global growth?

More than 76% of consumers prefer to buy products from websites in their native language. The reasons for this are not only convenience. Let’s understand why multilingual eCommerce is important for the global growth of a brand.

• When customers have localized experiences, it increases conversion rates. For instance, product descriptions, reviews, and customer support in local languages makes it easier for customers to engage. Moreover, it also creates stronger brand affinity, driving repeat sales.

• Ecommerce brands integrating AI and cross-border eCommerce automation for creating localized experiences have a competitive advantage. They can manage multiple languages, currencies, etc., based on customers’ locations, thus, optimizing localized flows on the website.

• Shopify Plus brands have the advantage of features such as Shopify Market that make global commerce easier for brands.

Challenges of expanding globally

Functioning at a global scale has many challenges, especially for eCommerce stores. Here are some of the problems.

1. Manual translation errors and delays: Manual writing and translation into various languages can lead to human errors. Moreover, the manual translation process takes a long time, leads to inconsistencies, and other errors.
2. Maintaining brand tone across languages: When implementing different languages, it can be difficult to maintain one brand tone across all languages. Moreover, nuances, idioms, and local cultural contexts might get missed out.
3. Currency, taxes, and regulations: Apart from translation errors, factors such as currency, taxes, and regulations that require thorough understanding can be challenging.
4. Limited in-house resources for localization: It is difficult for companies to find native speakers for multiple languages. Resource limitations often affect speed and quality, as well as stunt international goals.

How does AI transform multilingual eCommerce workflows?

AI provides capabilities that can help Shopify Plus brands with various multilingual workflows required. Here’s how AI-based eCommerce localization lead to seamless multilingual workflows:

1. AI translation engines

AI provides large language models that help automate writing and translation. AI tools now have the intelligence to write human-quality content with context. When it comes to multilingual eCommerce workflows, AI systems analyze sentence structure, adapt translations, and also build custom dictionaries based on individual brand requirements. Natural language processing features help maintain intent and tone of the original content during translations. 

2. Automated content localization

Content localization involves various elements, such as adjusting measurements, date formats, phone number structures, and other location-specific standardization. AI multilingual eCommerce workflows can automatically incorporate all these. 

Moreover, more advanced AI tools can align content with local events, holidays, etc. AI systems also help with localizing visual content. For instance, AI can identify images that have text on it that needs translation. 

3. Multilingual customer support

AI-based chatbots and virtual assistants can manage customer queries across languages, and time zones, providing instant responses in an efficient manner. Moreover, sophisticated AI tools also understand customer intent, handle conversations that involve troubleshooting, order modification, etc. 

AI tools with sentiment analysis capabilities detect customer emotions, such as frustration, confusion, urgency, etc., responding in a more contextual manner. AI-powered emotional intelligence improves customer support.

4. Product information management automation

Another aspect in which AI-based eCommerce localization helps is in managing product information across various languages and regions. AI tools help with managing product-related systems, automating product updates, etc. 

For instance, if a product description has an update, AI tools can make the change across languages. Also, AI tools can manage compliance requirements based on the product and industry type. For instance, include certifications, safety warnings, disclosures, etc. 

5. Workflow automation

Adding AI tools along with integrations, such as Shopify Flow create structures that manage translation and localization processes. For instance, when new products are added, automated workflows handle translation, generate SEO metadata, create location-based pricing, etc. The tools also automate content such as emails, blogs, among other marketing materials. 

10 AI-enabled eCommerce workflows for global expansion

Here are 10 effective AI eCommerce workflows that you can apply in your Shopify Plus multilingual expansion. 

1. Auto-translate new PDPs into multiple languages

When new products are added to the catalog, automated workflows initiate translations of titles, descriptions, specifications, size guides, care instructions, etc. This speeds up the process of launching new products across all international markets simultaneously with domestic markets. 

2. Real-time AI chatbots for multilingual support

Conversational AI has the ability to detect customers’ language preference and respond in their preferred language. This AI-powered chatbot can manage all customer queries related to shipping, returns, sizing, product features, variations, delivery dates, etc. This makes purchases easier and faster for international customers.

3. AI-powered SEO keyword localization per market

Using AI-powered tools for keyword research helps identify how customers carry on searches. The AI tools have the ability to analyze search volume, competition, user intent, optimize meta titles, descriptions, and other content for location-based search. 

4. Automated invoice/tax translation

Another effective AI multilingual eCommerce workflow is related to invoicing and taxes. AI tools also automate invoices in the customers’ local languages, following compliance, tax numbers, terms and conditions. AI systems automatically apply location-specific tax rules and clearly communicate fees that customers may incur. 

5. Personalized product recommendations by region

Product recommendations are key sales drivers. However, they have to be displayed at the right time and in the right touchpoint in the sales cycle. AI systems not only consider customers’ individual browsing behavior but also location-based aspects to recommend products. 

6. AI-powered holiday campaign adaptation

With AI, you can create templates that AI automatically adapts for regional cultural events and holidays. The AI system can identify local events and festivals, understand cultural significance, and adjust promotional strategies to drive sales.

7. Currency + pricing adjustments with AI forecasting

Utilize AI tools for Shopify Plus multilingual expansion to set up dynamic algorithms that consider currency fluctuations, local purchasing power, competitive pricing, etc. The AI tools automatically adjust prices based on the initial set up, ensuring desired profit margins. The tools can also flag situations that require a more strategic approach with human intervention.

8. Localized email/ SMS automation

Email and SMS communication is key to retention marketing. Automating it with AI systems can help with language-specific segmentation, correct messaging, and optimizing send times. AI multilingual eCommerce workflows can utilize tools to automate welcome messages, cart recovery, post purchase follow ups, delivery messages, among others. 

9. Automated compliance checks for regulated products

Brands selling products that require compliance checks can utilize AI workflows to ensure their eCommerce website meets compliance and regulations. The AI tools can handle certification requirements, correct labeling standards, marketing claims across content, etc.

10. Region-specific CRO testing with AI insights

AI tools can conduct automated A/B testing based on location-based cultural contexts. AI tools identify patterns across different regions to understand customer preferences. These AI insights are then utilized to design more relevant experiences for customers.

How to choose the right AI partner for Shopify Plus multilingual expansion?

When looking for an AI partner or agency for your Shopify Plus global expansion, follow these tips and best practices.

1. Experience with enterprise-level Shopify Plus brand

Managing international eCommerce processes is more complex than domestic processes. It may require managing multiple storefronts, headless commerce architecture, various checkout flows, advanced compliance and regulations, etc. All this requires deep expertise. Hence, it is important to assess whether or not and what level of expertise your AI partner has related to global expansion.

2. Ability to integrate AI into multilingual eCommerce workflows

There are agencies that may know simple AI integrations. However, for international expansion, you will require deeper expertise and experience. Look for AI agencies that demonstrate deep expertise in automation, decision-making, operational processes, and more.

3. Portfolio of successful cross-border projects

Look for proof of capability by requesting for case studies of past projects. Also understand how the agency solved specific challenges related to international expansion. Look at measurable outcomes and what kind of difference the agency made to the brand. Agencies that cannot provide proof of results are best avoided.

4. Consultation plus implementation

International expansion is a long-term project and you should look for an AI agency that can help you throughout from consultation to implementation stages. Some plus points to look for in agencies are their ability for global expansion strategies, understanding of market trends, technical implementation capabilities, etc.

Common mistakes to avoid in global multilingual expansion

If you’re working on your Shopify Plus multilingual expansion plan, here are some common mistakes you should avoid:

• Relying on generic and literal translation does not get the best results as cultural and regional context is important in marketing copy.

• Not identifying a clear brand voice for each market.

• Ignoring quality assessment tests for translated and localized content could lead to mistakes.

• Ignoring location-specific SEO can limit the reach of the content. 

• Not conducting separate keyword research for each language.

• Not aligning retention workflows with localization can have a negative impact on engagement. 

• Expanding into multiple markets simultaneously without adequate resources.

• Not building feedback loops in each market can lead to a lack of optimization opportunities.

AI tools for global eCommerce 

There are many AI tools available that help with global expansion of Shopify Plus brands. Here’s a list of some of the most efficient AI tools for global eCommerce from our experience.

1. Weglot

Works best for Shopify and Shopify Plus stores looking for quick multilingual implementation. Its AI-powered translation features integrate well with machine translation and human review workflows. The tool also has the ability to automatically detect content that requires translation.

2. DeepL

The tool offers advanced neural translation, custom glossary feature that allows building unique dictionaries for brands, etc. The tool is widely used for its API for translation within localization workflows.

3. Klaviyo

Apart from advanced email marketing, Klaviyo offers AI-based content localization for retention campaigns. The tool has features such as automated translation for emails, segmentation by language, optimizing send times, etc.

4. Gorgias

Gorgias provides AI-powered customer support capabilities, manages queries in various languages, and has cross-border eCommerce automation capabilities based on languages.

5. Shopify Markets

Offering a foundational infrastructure for global commerce, Shopify Markets help manage multiple storefronts, currencies, tax configurations, etc. It provides a framework for AI localization tool integration. 

Wrapping up

AI-enabled multilingual workflows make global expansion easier and scalable for Shopify Plus brands. It can open new revenue streams, maintain consistency, and make your business expansion more profitable.

If you’re looking to implement an AI-powered multilingual system for global expansion, contact XgenTech.