# Conversational commerce

> Conversational commerce is a shopping experience where customers interact with a retailer through natural dialogue - asking questions, getting recommendations, and completing purchases without navigating menus or filters alone.

_Source: https://nobi.ai/glossary/conversational-commerce_

## What is Conversational commerce?

Instead of clicking through category pages, a shopper types or speaks a request like 'I need running shoes under $100 for wide feet' and receives a direct, relevant answer. The conversation can cover product details, stock availability, sizing advice, and checkout steps. This approach mirrors the experience of talking with a knowledgeable sales associate rather than scanning a shelf. It works across channels including on-site assistants, messaging apps, and voice interfaces.

## How does conversational commerce work?

- A shopper submits a question or request in plain language
- The system interprets intent and matches it against the product catalog, policies, or FAQs
- A relevant response is returned - product suggestions, a direct answer, or a follow-up clarifying question
- The loop continues until the shopper finds what they need or completes a purchase

## Why does it matter?

Search bars and filter panels work well for shoppers who already know what they want, but many visitors arrive with a vague need or a specific question the UI cannot answer. Conversational commerce fills that gap, reducing the friction that causes shoppers to leave without buying. For dealerships, it can surface the right vehicle trim or financing option from a large, complex inventory in seconds.

[Nobi](https://dashboard.nobi.ai)'s on-site assistant brings conversational commerce directly to a storefront - fielding shopper questions in real time and guiding visitors to the right product or next step without leaving the page.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is conversational commerce the same as live chat?**
No. Live chat connects shoppers with human agents. Conversational commerce typically refers to AI-driven or automated dialogue that scales across all visitors simultaneously, without staffing requirements.

**What kinds of questions can a conversational commerce tool handle?**
Common use cases include product recommendations based on stated needs, stock and availability checks, sizing or compatibility questions, return policy lookups, and guidance through checkout steps.

**Does conversational commerce work for high-consideration purchases like vehicles?**
Yes - it is well suited to complex catalogs where a shopper might need help narrowing down options by budget, features, or use case before they are ready to speak with a salesperson.