Proactive AI chatbot?

Shopify Apps

Topic summary

A merchant seeks a simple, proactive AI chatbot that initiates conversations with browsing customers, without needing full customer service capabilities.

Suggested Solutions:

  • Smartbot: Recommended by one user for multiple clients, though it includes extensive features beyond proactive chat and costs around $100/month for workable plans
  • Shopify Inbox: Proposed as a lighter alternative that can send small messages to create interaction, though the original poster questions whether it supports initiating conversations (versus only replying)
  • Dori: Suggested as another option, currently live on stores like Luonkos for product recommendations and answering questions

Key Concern:
The merchant finds comprehensive customer service solutions too cumbersome and expensive for their needs—they specifically want proactive engagement only, not full Q&A support.

Open Question:
Whether Shopify Inbox actually allows merchants to message customers first remains unclear in the discussion.

Summarized with AI on October 24. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hi,

I’m looking for a simple proactive AI chatbot that would engage customers while they’re browsing. I’ve looked around and saw some options that seem cumbersome because they’re complete customer service solutions, but I need something simple – just the proactive chat.

Thank you

2

I’d advise ‘Smartbot’. Been using that for several clients. Fairly easy to set up but comes at a price :slight_smile:

1 Like
3

Do you want the chatbot to proactively jump out and start to talk to customers while they are browsing? Many bots can configure some custom text and show them once a while. Not sure if that’s what you want, or you want the message to be more personalized?

4

I think it does do what I need, but also a ton of other things - like I don’t need it to answer customers’ questions. And yea, look like a workable plan starts at $100/mo

5

I fully agree. Do you specifically need an AI chatbot? Otherwise Shopify Inbox could do it too. It can send a small message or so just to create interaction.

Or use the AI tool from Shopify to create a custom section. It works for floating carts / add to cart too :slight_smile:

6

Hi @Bath4All

You can try dori too. It’s live on some Shopify stores like Luonkos, where you can recommend products and answer questions.

7

How do you message a customer with Shopify Inbox first? I think you can only reply to their messages…

8

Hi,

That’s a pretty common case, and you’re right, a lot of AI chat tools are bundled into full customer support suites, which can feel like overkill if you only want proactive engagement.

In this situation, a lightweight AI Chatbot widget works much better. You can set it up to proactively engage visitors while they browse, for example, by starting a conversation after a delay or on certain pages, and keep it focused on basic questions about products, shipping, or promotions. No ticketing system, no complex workflows.

If you’re on Shopify, you can take a look at this AI Chatbot for Shopify. It’s designed to be simple to install, easy to configure, and focused on chatting with visitors rather than replacing a full support platform.

That way, you get proactive conversations without adding unnecessary complexity to your store.

Cheers,

Elfsight Team