If you're searching for a clear, beginner-friendly guide on how to set up a Shopify chatbot, the good news is that the process is simple—but the impact on your store can be huge. A Shopify chatbot helps you answer customer questions instantly, reduce abandoned carts, and automate repetitive conversations without hiring extra support staff. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to install, set up, customise, and launch a chatbot on your Shopify store using a step-by-step approach.
This how-to guide will walk you through the full setup process so you can go live confidently, even if you're not technical.
What Does a Shopify Chatbot Actually Do?
Before setting it up, it helps to understand what a chatbot brings to your store.
A Shopify chatbot can:
answer common product questions
guide shoppers during size or variant selection
show delivery timelines automatically
check stock availability
reduce “Where is my order?” messages
help customers complete checkout
manage conversations from IG/WhatsApp via automation
respond instantly 24/7
To see how automation fits across channels, read Shopify AI chatbot solutions.
10 steps to Set Up a Shopify Chatbot
Step 1: Choose the Right Shopify Chatbot for Your Store
The first step is selecting a chatbot that:
can read product data, variants, and availability
answers customer questions instantly
supports automation for FAQs and tracking
works with Instagram and WhatsApp
Merchants often choose AeroChat because it’s designed specifically for Shopify merchants who want both automation and AI-powered sales assistance.
If you’re deciding between multiple tools, check Best Shopify AI chatbot apps for comparison.
Step 2: Install the Chatbot App on Shopify
Once you choose your chatbot, installing it takes less than a minute.
How to install your Shopify chatbot:
Open Shopify Admin
Go to “Apps”
Click “Shopify App Store”
Click “Add App”
Approve permissions
Wait for installation to complete
The app will now appear inside your Shopify dashboard.
If you need additional help with installation steps, see
Shopify customer support automation for setup tips.
Step 3: Connect Your Product Catalog
A powerful chatbot understands your store’s:
product titles
variants
sizes
colours
inventory
delivery rules
return and exchange policies
pricing
shipping availability
This allows it to give accurate, real-time answers—just like a sales assistant.
How to sync your catalog
Most Shopify chatbots sync automatically. For AeroChat, the sync happens instantly once the app is installed.
Step 4: Set Up Automated Responses for Common Questions
This is where your chatbot becomes valuable.
Start by enabling automated replies for questions customers ask repeatedly:
“How long is delivery?”
“Do you ship to my country?”
“What size should I choose?”
“Is this item available?”
“What is your return policy?”
“Do you offer cash on delivery?”
“How does the material feel?”
The goal is to eliminate manual typing and reduce your daily support workload.
For inspiration on building structured FAQs, check Reduce repetitive customer questions on Shopify.
Step 5: Enable Order Tracking Automation
One of the biggest reasons visitors contact support is order tracking.
Setting up automated order updates helps customers:
check their delivery status instantly
view tracking links
see expected arrival dates
understand dispatch timelines
AeroChat allows customers to check order status directly through chat—no login required.
This dramatically reduces support ticket volume.
See automation examples in Shopify customer support automation.
Step 6: Customise the Chat Widget to Match Your Brand
Your chat widget should look like part of your store—not a generic add-on.
Customise:
chat bubble colour
widget shape
brand logo
greeting message
welcome prompts
font style
placement on desktop or mobile
A conversational assistant must feel like an extension of your brand’s tone and style.
Step 7: Connect Instagram and WhatsApp (Optional but Recommended)
If you get messages on:
Instagram DM
WhatsApp
Messenger
…connecting them to your chatbot gives you one unified inbox.
This helps your team:
reply faster
avoid switching apps
prevent missed messages
manage every channel in one dashboard
To centralise channels effectively, read Shopify omnichannel chat management.
Step 8: Create Custom Flows Based on Customer Intent
A basic chatbot answers questions.
A smart chatbot guides customers.
Create automated flows for:
size recommendations
restock notifications
product comparisons
upsells / cross-sells
shipping explanations
material breakdowns
checkout assistance
These flows turn chat into a sales assistant—not just a support widget.
See examples of sales-focused automation in Shopify product questions and FAQ guide.
Step 9: Test the Chatbot Before Going Live
Before enabling the chatbot for all customers, test:
response accuracy
speed
product recommendations
variant guidance
delivery messages
return/exchange answers
tracking responses
brand tone
The goal is to ensure the chatbot feels human, helpful, and trustworthy.
Step 10: Publish the Chatbot on Your Store
Once everything works correctly:
enable the chat widget on product pages
enable it on the homepage
enable it during checkout (optional)
activate automation flows
set fallback responses for complex questions
Your Shopify chatbot is now live.
Why Set Up a Shopify Chatbot? (Benefits)
A chatbot improves:
1. Conversion Rate
Instant answers mean fewer shoppers leaving due to uncertainty.
2. Customer Satisfaction
Customers receive fast, accurate help 24/7.
3. Support Capacity
You reduce the number of repetitive questions your team receives.
4. Efficiency
Your team focuses on high-value conversations only.
5. Revenue
When questions are answered instantly, customers complete checkout more confidently.
Takeaway
Setting up a Shopify chatbot is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make to your store. It reduces support pressure, improves conversions, and helps shoppers complete purchases faster.
By choosing the right tool, syncing your catalog, enabling automation, and customising your flows, your chatbot becomes an extension of your sales and support team—available every hour of the day.
To set up smart automation that handles product questions, delivery queries, and checkout assistance, explore Shopify AI chatbot solutions powered by AeroChat.ai.