{"id":6686,"date":"2026-10-23T15:00:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T14:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chilliapple.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6686"},"modified":"2026-10-23T15:00:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T14:00:21","slug":"ecommerce-product-discovery-ai-chatbot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chilliapple.co.uk\/blog\/ecommerce-product-discovery-ai-chatbot","title":{"rendered":"How an Ecommerce Business Made Product Discovery Easier with an AI Chatbot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Think about the last time you went looking for something on a website and couldn\u2019t find it. You probably knew roughly what you wanted but not what the retailer called it, so you tried a couple of searches and gave up. Your customers go through the same thing, and each time it happens, you lose a sale without knowing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

We saw this up close while working on <\/span>AI chatbot development<\/a> for a UK timber merchant that sells a wide range of products online, from hardwood and doors to skirting and stair parts. Here\u2019s what we learned, and how it can help your own customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick answer<\/b><\/p>\n

An AI chatbot helps customers find products on your website by letting them ask in their own words, for example, \u201cShow me products between \u00a3100 and \u00a3200\u201d, instead of guessing exact product names or using filters. When you pair it with a search bar that shows results as people type, and track the searches that find nothing, customers find what they need more easily, and you can see what\u2019s missing from your site.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why do customers struggle to find products online?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Most search boxes only work well when customers type the exact words in the product name. Most people don\u2019t search like that. They often start with a budget or describe the product in their own words.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, one of chilliapple\u2019s clients was selling products with names such as \u201c22x100mm Redwood T&G Loglap\u201d. Few customers will type that exact phrase into a search box. They\u2019re more likely to search for something like \u201credwood cladding under \u00a3500\u201d or simply \u201credwood loglap\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is that businesses may never know when a customer can\u2019t find something. If a search shows no results, the customer may simply leave. <\/span>AI automation can help here. It records these failed searches, so you can see what customers want and add what\u2019s missing.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can an AI chatbot help customers find products?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A chatbot lets customers ask for what they want in their own words. On our client\u2019s website, a shopper can type something like \u201cShow me products between \u00a3100 and 200\u201d. The chatbot then replies with matching products from the website. There\u2019s no need to work through filters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Good <\/span>AI chatbot development also fixes the small things that frustrate shoppers. On this project, we focused on two details:<\/span><\/p>\n