Shopify AI Workflow Automation: How AI Can Save Hours

Ecommerce sites involve numerous tasks. And doing these tasks manually is almost impossible. 

That’s where automation and AI come in, to not only speed up work, but also to boost efficiency.

Shopify AI workflow automation is not about replacing your team, it’s about structuring your processes in such a way that your team gets to focus on higher-value strategic work.

In this blog, we explore Shopify AI workflow automation that can save you hundreds of hours.

Curious? Let’s get started!

What is workflow automation in Shopify?

Workflow automation in Shopify means using AI and automation for manual and repetitive tasks. For example, when a customer places an order on your Shopify store, pre-defined AI systems will automatically send a confirmation email to the customer. 

Studies show that 21% of businesses that have used AI for various processes, say their companies have fundamentally redesigned at least some workflows, and that AI’s biggest impact is on workflows. 

While traditional automation involves tasks like sending emails and SMSes, updating inventory levels based on sales, and marketing tasks, workflow automation has advanced a lot. AI workflow automation in eCommerce can now be used for performing complex tasks in real-time, benefiting Shopify stores in multiple ways.

For instance, AI systems have the ability to learn, adapt, and make decisions based on data patterns. For instance, AI systems can send personalized emails based on customer segmentation.

So, how do AI workflows actually work in Shopify? 

Shopify Flow, the native automation tool, is used to create various pre-defined rules and structures. This tool connects triggers, conditions, and actions, leading to automated processes.

Where can AI save Shopify stores the most time?

While AI is used for intelligence and efficiency, one of its biggest benefits is speed. Processes that take weeks or months when done manually can be completed within hours using AI. Here’s how you can save time with AI eCommerce workflows.

1. Order management and fulfillment 

Order processing can be time consuming. AI can streamline the process with Shopify Plus automation and save time. Let’s understand how AI helps with order management and fulfillment.

• AI systems can identify orders that exceed a threshold, high-value customers and orders containing specific products. The system then automatically expedites fulfillment workflows. 

• Another automated eCommerce process that saves time is related to fraud detection. Instead of manually assessing orders, AI analyzes factors such as billing and shipping address mismatch, historical fraud indicators, etc. 

• AI systems automatically approve low-risk orders while flagging high-risk orders for review.

• AI systems automate order and shipping updates communication to customers, reducing queries from customers. 

• AI systems also smartly offer incentives based on situations. For instance, if a customer seems unhappy, the system offers a discount code or other perks to pacify customers.

2. Inventory management 

Inventory management involves many tedious tasks and requires time. AI can help Shopify stores save time by automating many of these repetitive tasks. Here’s how:

• AI’s predictive analysis capability helps forecast demand based on past data, seasonal trends, and marketing calendar events.

• Instead of manual assumptions and calculations, AI predicts much before the stock gets over. This prevents stockouts and overstocking.

• AI also triggers auto-reorders for suppliers. As there is no requirement for manual monitoring and placing orders, it saves time.

• Shopify Plus stores that have thousands of SKUs can save several hours by automating inventory management.

• With real-time inventory management, AI can prevent overselling.

3. Customer service

Another way you can save time with Shopify AI workflow automation is by automating customer support processes. Here’s how AI helps:

• AI chatbots manage customer queries in various languages, providing instant and accurate responses.

• Sophisticated AI tools are designed to understand context, interpret questions, and provide relevant answers.

• AI systems access real-time data from the website and create more personalized and up to date responses for customers.

• AI workflow automation for eCommerce saves time by escalating queries to relevant human agents and departments.

• AI systems also engage in sentiment analysis to understand which customers need urgent responses. For example, a Shopify Plus store may receive 500 queries every day, however, only 50 of those might require priority responses. Thus, you can appropriately assign staff to other queries.

4. Marketing and customer engagement

One of AI’s best uses is personalization. AI can use data analysis to transform simple marketing campaigns into personalized experiences. Here’s how AI does it:

• AI creates personalized product recommendations based on customers browsing behavior, past purchases, etc., increasing AOV and conversion rates.

• AI systems send out automated emails and SMSes based on customer segments. This saves time required for manual segmentation and emailing.

• For example, a new customer receives welcome messages while an existing customer receives messages with incentives to bring them back to the store. 

• AI tools continuously optimize send times, content, messaging, etc., based on various factors, such as market trends and changing customer preferences. 

• Abandoned cart recovery is key to increasing revenue and customer retention. AI-powered systems automate cart recovery and churn management.

5. Analytics and reporting

With all eCommerce processes revolving around data, analytics and reporting are two key aspects for every business. And that’s where AI helps:

• AI systems continuously collect data, monitor Shopify sites, and share automated performance reports, saving hundreds of hours required for manual reporting.

• Apart from showing results, AI also shows the reasons behind those results. For instance, if repeat customers are reduced in a certain period, AI also shows the reasons for that, providing actionable insights.

• AI tools monitor various pre-defined metrics and share alerts and reports. This makes it easy for Shopify stores to optimize and take actions. 
  

10 Shopify AI-powered workflow automations 

Here are 10 actionable Shopify Plus AI automation workflows that you can include in your strategy:

1. Auto-segment customers

Based on customer data from interactions, purchases, and engagement, AI segments customers into various categories. For example, high value or VIP, price-sensitive, new customer nurture, or at churn risk, etc.

AI tools then automate marketing campaigns and personalized offers based on different segments. This automation can remove manual segmentation work and save hours.

2. Dynamic discounting for abandoned carts

AI smartly sends discounts and incentives to customers who have abandoned carts. However, it doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Advanced AI tools are able to identify customers who responded to different perks previously. 

For example, a price-sensitive customer is given a 15% off, and a VIP customer is given free shipping. This personalized approach to regain lost customers helps increase conversions.

3. AI fraud detection for high-risk orders

One of the best uses of AI is fraud detection. Shopify AI integration can analyze customer behavior, past patterns, device fingerprints, and more, to identify possible fraud. AI intelligently approves legitimate orders, holds suspicious orders, and automatically cancels orders that are definitely fraudulent. 

4. Predictive inventory reorder alerts

AI workflow automation for eCommerce can be used for predictive inventory management. For instance, AI can predict demand and restock requirements based on seasonality, market trends, past sales patterns, etc., and automatically place orders for suppliers. This way, brands can reduce stockouts and overstocking.

5. Automated customer support

AI-powered chatbots can answer customer queries, saving a significant amount of time spent by human customer support agents. For instance, advanced AI also has the ability to respond in multiple languages, send personalized responses, and more. Moreover, AI ensures quick response times and high customer satisfaction scores. 

6. Personalized product bundles

AI systems can be set up to offer personalized, dynamic bundles based on customer data. For instance, AI uses data such as purchase history, browsing behavior, etc. to automate personalized bundle offers. 

For example, a customer who bought coffee beans receives a personalized bundle recommendation including a bean grinder, a coffee machine, mugs, etc. AI can strategically display these bundle recommendations on various pages. 

7. AI-driven ad creative optimization

AI-powered machine learning systems can test ad creative variations for design, imagery, copy, text, etc., and relocate budget to top performing ads. Such automated AI-based A/B testing is more reliable and faster than manual review processes.

8. Smart routing of customer service tickets

AI uses its intelligence to assess customer service requests and automatically route them to the concerned agent and department. AI assesses the complexity, required expertise, language, etc., to gain insights. 

For example, simple everyday queries can be replied to by automated chatbots, while technical product queries are routed to product specialists, and VIP complaints to senior support managers.

9. Automated customer win-back campaigns

AI automatically triggers re-engagement campaigns for customers who haven’t engaged with the brand for a while and those who could potentially leave the brand.

For instance, AI systems automatically send them discount coupons, product recommendations, etc., to encourage them to visit the site and engage. The timing, incentive, and messaging are personalized based on customers’ data. 

10. AI-powered CRO testing

AI tools run A/B tests for various elements, such as product images, descriptions, pricing displays, trust badges, etc., to identify which version brings better results. The system then allocates more traffic to the version that performs better.

How to choose the right partner for Shopify AI workflow automation?

Choosing the right AI partner for your Shopify workflow automation is critical. And there are several factors that you must consider before hiring a Shopify Plus AI agency. Follow these best practices:

• Ensure the Shopify AI agency has expertise and experience in enterprise-level requirements. Many agencies might have basic AI expertise and may not know how to implement AI strategies.

• Enterprise level AI strategy requires deep understanding of Shopify Plus features and integrations, headless commerce, scalability challenges, and market expansion challenges. Request potential agencies to share past case studies.

• When integrating AI into your existing systems, you have to ensure the transformation is smooth and consistent across various processes. Your Shopify Plus AI workflow automation agency should know how to integrate AI processes into your existing systems.

• Choose an AI agency that has the ability to train your in-house staff on how AI works, how it will change their processes, and provide proper training.

• Ask potential AI agencies to share work experience and expertise proof in your industry. For instance, the requirements of health and wellness and fashion are very different. Without experience, the agency might not be able to bring the best results.

• Look for a Shopify AI workflow automation agency that can offer complete solutions, from consultation, conceptualization to implementation, and long-term retainer. 

Common mistakes to avoid when hiring agencies for Shopify AI integrations 

1. Make sure you do not over automate. Afterall, AI tools are machines and can make mistakes. Human intervention from time to time could be a more efficient way to work.
2. Ensure there is some human intervention in customer support systems run by AI. For instance, if a high-value, VIP customer makes a complaint, your AI system should immediately forward it to a human agent.
3. Do not expect AI to do more than it is designed to do. Your AI tools may not be designed to handle complex matters. Ensure your tools are pre-set to escalate complex matters to human agents.
4. Shopify Plus stores that want to scale in the future should choose AI tools that are designed for scalability and have the capacity to scale. Not doing so may limit your business goals and keep your business from growth. For example, if your AI automation tool is designed to handle only 3000 orders per month and suddenly there’s an influx of more orders during the festive season, your AI systems might fail, affecting your business.
5. Ensure you get an estimate of costs for the AI automation platform, technical costs, cost of training, maintenance, etc. before you commit to investing in an AI tool.
6. Do not ignore data quality. Pick AI tools that provide in-depth and advanced data analysis and reports without errors. Moreover, your AI tools should be able to provide consolidated analysis from all your channels.

Wrapping up -  Set up Shopify AI workflow automation for your business

Integrating AI workflow automation is not only about data, analytics, efficiency, and speed. It is also about saving time so that your team can focus on more strategic matters of your business, while AI does all the repetitive and tedious tasks.

If you want to stay ahead in the market, leveraging AI in the right manner is the smartest thing you can do.

If you want to implement AI workflows in your Shopify Plus store, partner with XgenTech.