AI-powered shopping is changing one aspect of online retail that deserves attention: how someone discovers a product for the first time. The customer might start by describing what they need in a conversation, receive a few suggestions, and only then discover your store.
Imagine someone looking for a bag for a short trip. They want something lightweight, with room for a laptop, and within a budget. They don’t have a specific brand in mind yet. They have a need.
It’s this beginning of the shopping journey that interests me. I work in web design and development, and I think it’s important to look at what happens before someone opens the page we’re creating.
What’s Already Happening in AI-Powered Shopping
In March 2026, Shopify announced the expansion of Agentic Storefronts, connecting merchants’ catalogs to AI channels. Access and the shopping experience vary by channel and market. You can read Shopify’s announcement.
This opens up yet another way to discover products. It doesn’t mean that every customer has started shopping this way, nor does being on these channels guarantee recommendations.
For store owners, I see a reason to pay attention: part of the comparison process may take place before the customer even visits the store. By the time they arrive, they may already want to confirm a detail and make a decision.
Does the description help someone make a choice?
Let’s go back to the bag. A description like “the perfect companion for every moment” might fit the brand, but it doesn’t answer whether a 15-inch laptop will fit inside.
I’d look for dimensions, weight, material, compartments, and photos showing the interior. If it’s intended for travel, I’d also want to understand the actual size, without relying on a single photo against a white background.
This is a hypothetical example, but it applies to other products as well. A lamp needs to specify its dimensions and power requirements. A piece of clothing needs to list its fabric composition and provide sizing guidance. Every product category has its own set of questions.
Before writing any further, I’d make a list of what the customer needs to know. Sometimes what’s missing is a measurement, not another paragraph of introduction.
I’d review the product listing alongside the page
A detail might look good on screen but still be disorganized in the product listing. I’d check categories, size and color options, prices, and availability—in addition to what appears to the visitor.
Shopify emphasizes the importance of structured and up-to-date product information for these channels. There’s an explanation of this in the material on product data for AI-powered commerce.
In practice, my starting point would be to choose a few key products and review how they’re listed. Do the variations make sense? Is the information contradictory? Can a product listed as available actually be purchased?
I would also check the channel’s requirements before enabling any integration. You can’t assume that all stores, regions, and categories have the same access.
When the customer arrives, the page needs to continue the conversation
Imagine being recommended a handbag and opening a page that doesn’t show the dimensions. You have to search for them, send a message, or choose another option. The recommendation brought the visitor to the site, but the question still needs to be answered.
This is where I’d take a close look at the store’s user experience. Helpful photos, easy-to-find information, a clear selection of variations, and transparent shipping terms are all part of this review.
I’d test everything on a cell phone, too. Can the user select a color? Can they tell when an option is out of stock? Do they understand the delivery time and cost before checking out?
The website remains an important place to check out the offerings and get to know the company. I want anyone who visits the site to be able to make a confident decision, even if they’ve never seen the brand before.
What I’d do first in a small store
I’d start with a category or the products the company wants to prioritize. For each one, I’d review:
- Name and description: Do they explain what the product is?
- Photos and measurements: Do they answer any questions about that purchase?
- Variations: Are size, color, and inventory consistent?
- Shipping and returns: Are the terms easy to find?
- Mobile shopping: Does the checkout process work all the way through?
Next, I would track the visits and orders attributed to these channels, when data is available. A channel’s growth in the market does not, on its own, determine the results a specific store will achieve.
I wouldn’t start by promising that a single change will make the AI recommend the company. I prefer to focus on what I can verify: accurate information, proper integration when available, and a page that helps customers make a purchase.
If you’d like to review your store, you can send me the link and let me know which part is causing issues. You can find my projects and contact information at sabrinamesquita.dev.