Shopify Inside ChatGPT: Hype or Reality? #
First of all, calm down. If you panicked and searched for this and came here, you are not alone. Many people are excited about the new feature of Shopify Inside ChatGPT, which allows users to shop directly within the chat interface.
Some random individuals are trying to create hype around it and forcing you to believe that this is going to be a game changer. This has become like a rat running after cheese.
This is not a new thing, WeChat does it #
First of all, this is not something new that we are going to experience. WeChat has been doing this for years, and it is not a game changer.
I would say more: we also have several Shopify apps that try to embed the buying experience in support chats, various types of chats, WhatsApp bots, and Telegram channels.
The main blocker is that people feel uncomfortable buying a product in the chat environment. It feels rushed and not convenient.
So, how is it going to look? #
From the information that we have, it looks like the Shopify store will be embedded inside the ChatGPT interface. Basically, you can write, "Hey, I want to buy a new pair of shoes, size 42, delivery within 2 days, not more than 100 dollars," and it will search somewhere in the Shopify stores and show you the results.
The key keyword here is "somewhere," because we doubt it will search in Google, or in Google ONLY. Most probably, if it is about Shopify + ChatGPT, it will search in the Shopify stores, as Shopify already has this whole dataset about the stores and their products.
They even launched a hub of Shopify stores, where you can see the products from different stores and filter them by categories, price, etc. But that service did not work well.
How is it going to work? #
This is already more of a technical question because it is not clear whether the products will be shown on the ChatGPT side as different product cards or if it will embed the whole Shopify store in the ChatGPT interface.
If it is going to be separate product cards, then what individual touch of the store will be left? The product card will be the same for all stores, and it will not be possible to see the store design, the store logo, or any other individual touch of the store.
What about the product details page? #
Shopify store owners put effort into creating a product details page with all the details, images, videos, etc. But if the product card is going to be the same for all stores, then what is the point of having a product details page?
What will be the difference between the owner who has put effort into creating a product details page, making it comfortable for the customer to buy, and the owner who just puts up a product card with a price?
What about the checkout? #
The checkout process is also a big question. Will it be directly in the ChatGPT interface, or will it redirect to the Shopify store? If it is going to be in the ChatGPT interface, then how will the store owner be able to track the orders, and how will the customer be able to track their order?
What about third-party apps like upsell, cross-sell, etc.? Will they work in the ChatGPT interface?
What about the customer account feature? Some stores have loyalty programs—will they work in the ChatGPT interface?
Our prediction #
From our experience, we think that this is not going to be a game changer. There will be some hype around it, some agencies will earn money forcing their clients to implement features that will make them ready to rank in ChatGPT, and some store owners will fall into this trap and spend money on it. But in the end, it will not work as expected.
We think this will work as a simple database search inside the Shopify stores, but we don't think ChatGPT will exclusively use Shopify stores by default. Because in that case, they will clash with other big players like Amazon, eBay, etc. Shopify doesn't own OpenAI, and OpenAI doesn't own Shopify, so they will not be able to limit the search only to Shopify stores.
So, whoever says this is going to be revolutionary is unable to see the whole picture and is limited by their own vision.
Again, there will be a collaboration between Shopify and OpenAI. Shopify will introduce it as revolutionary, they will get new customers, and OpenAI will get more data to train their model. But in the end, it will not be a game changer. Believe us!
Why does Shopify want this? #
Because Shopify is very good at individual stores, but they are not good as a marketplace. Amazon still leads there, so Shopify wants to use any opportunity to leverage their data. They have around 5 million Shopify stores, but in fact, there is no one centralized place to use this and act like Amazon. So this is an opportunity for them.
If you're a Shopify store owner and want to stay ahead of the curve, consider working with a Shopify agency to explore how this feature might impact your business.
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Glossary Terms in This Article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answers for Shopify Inside ChatGPT
- What is Shopify Inside ChatGPT?
- Shopify Inside ChatGPT is a feature that allows users to shop directly within the ChatGPT interface by enabling them to search for products, view options, and potentially complete purchases without leaving the chat. For store owners looking to adapt to this feature, working with a Shopify agency can help ensure a seamless integration.
- How does Shopify Inside ChatGPT compare to WeChat's ecommerce features?
- Shopify Inside ChatGPT is similar to WeChat's ecommerce features, which have been around for years. Both aim to integrate shopping into a chat environment, but WeChat has already established itself as a leader in this space. If you're considering how to optimize your store for this new feature, a Shopify audit might be a good starting point.
- What are the potential challenges of shopping in a chat environment?
- Shopping in a chat environment can feel rushed and inconvenient for users. It lacks the personalized touch of a store's design and detailed product pages, which may impact the overall shopping experience. To address these challenges, store owners might benefit from ongoing support to refine their approach.
- Will Shopify Inside ChatGPT support store-specific features?
- It is unclear if Shopify Inside ChatGPT will support store-specific features like custom product pages, loyalty programs, or third-party apps such as upsell and cross-sell tools. This could limit the unique branding of individual stores. For tailored solutions, consider reaching out to a Shopify development agency.
- Is Shopify Inside ChatGPT a game changer?
- While some believe Shopify Inside ChatGPT will revolutionize ecommerce, others are skeptical. It may generate initial hype, but its long-term impact depends on how well it addresses user needs and integrates with existing systems. If you're unsure how this might affect your business, contact us to discuss your options.