Someone needs a birthday present for their sister-in-law. They know she likes gardening and cooking, and they have a budget of around forty pounds. They visit a local gift shop's website and see hundreds of products. They have no idea where to start. After ten minutes they give up and buy a gift card from a big retailer.
Gift shoppers need help choosing. Shops that give it make the sale.
Why gift shoppers are different
People buying for themselves know what they want. Gift shoppers often do not. They are guessing at someone else's tastes, working to a budget and often up against a deadline. They worry about getting it wrong. Gift buyers need different answers from everyday shoppers, as described in gift buyers need different answers than everyday shoppers.
What gift shoppers ask
- What would suit someone who likes gardening?
- What do you have under forty pounds?
- Can it be returned or exchanged if they don't like it?
- Do you offer gift wrapping?
- Can you include a gift receipt?
- Will it arrive by Friday?
- Can I collect it in store?
Helping them choose
A shop assistant in person would ask a few questions and suggest a handful of items. A website can do the same. SpideyChat for retail stores can ask about the recipient and budget, suggest products from your own pages and answer questions about returns, wrapping and delivery.
Shopper: I need a gift for someone who loves cooking, around £40. Assistant: A few options from the kitchen range fit that budget: the olive wood serving board, the spice gift set and the recipe journal. Gift wrapping is available at checkout, and the returns page explains exchanges for gifts.
Product fit questions like this are covered in AI shopping assistant product fit.
Honest about stock
If stock is limited, the assistant should not promise availability. Stock questions for local shops are covered in local shops losing sales to unanswered stock questions.
Gift services
Gift wrapping, gift receipts, personal messages and exchange policies all reduce the risk for the buyer. Say clearly on the website what you offer.
Deadlines
Gift shoppers often have a date. Clear delivery and collection information, with cut-off dates for occasions, helps them decide.
Corporate gifts
Some gift shoppers are buying for staff or clients. They need several items, often with branding or personal messages, and a firm delivery date. Capturing the quantity, budget per item, date and contact details lets the shop reply with options. These orders can be much larger than a typical sale and are worth a prompt, personal reply.
Last-minute buyers
Many gift shoppers are in a hurry. Making collection options and delivery cut-offs visible near the top of product pages, and answering "will it arrive in time?" instantly, catches buyers who would otherwise panic-buy elsewhere.
Gift guides
Short gift guides by recipient or budget, such as "for gardeners" or "under £25", give shoppers a starting point. They also give the assistant good material to suggest from. Other businesses answer "what suits me" questions in a similar way, for example vet clinics explaining which care suits which pet, as in AI receptionist for veterinary clinics.
This week's gift guide
Write two or three gift guides, make your gift services and return policy clear, and let shoppers ask for suggestions at any hour. Try SpideyChat on your own site, or read about product answers on the features page.