How to integrate an AI chat widget in BigCommerce: A step-by-step guide

So, you're thinking about adding a chat widget to your BigCommerce store. Good call. Being there for customers the moment they have a question can turn hesitation into a sale. But let’s be real, the thought of setting up a truly helpful AI can feel a little overwhelming. We’ve all had a run-in with a useless chatbot that just gets in the way.

The thing is, customers expect chat agents, even the AI ones, to actually know what's going on. They want real answers about their order or the cool thing they just put in their cart, not just a link to a generic FAQ page. A basic chatbot just doesn’t cut it these days.

That’s exactly why we put this guide together. We'll walk you through the surprisingly simple, code-free way to not just add a chat widget, but to integrate a smart AI assistant into your BigCommerce store. One that can actually learn your business, help your customers, and make your life easier.

What you’ll need to get started

Before we jump in, let's gather a few things. The good news? You don’t need to be a developer or have a massive budget.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Administrator access to your BigCommerce dashboard. You'll need this to get into the Script Manager. This is where we’ll pop in the chat widget code, and it’s the safest and most reliable way to add new tools to your store.

• An account with an AI chat provider. There are a lot of options out there, but this guide is all about a modern approach that focuses on deep integration and a quick setup. A platform like eesel AI is a great fit because you can sign up and get going in minutes on your own, without having to schedule a sales demo first.

• (Optional) Your existing knowledge sources. It’s a good idea to have links to your help center, FAQ page, or any internal Google Docs you use for support ready to go. The best AI widgets learn directly from this stuff, so having it handy will make your chatbot smart from day one.

How to integrate an AI chat widget in BigCommerce in 5 simple steps

Getting an AI chat widget live on your BigCommerce site is way more straightforward than you might think, and you won't have to touch a single line of your store's theme code. The real magic happens after the widget is installed, when you teach it how to be a genuinely helpful part of your team.

Let's get to it.

Step 1: Choose your AI chat widget and copy the installation code

First things first, you need the widget itself. Most modern AI chat providers will give you a small snippet of JavaScript code to add to your site.

When you're picking a provider, look for a few things: how easy it is to set up, if it can connect to your actual store data (like product catalogs and orders), and how much you can customize its look and feel.

For example, grabbing your code from eesel AI is super simple:

1. Sign up for a free trial account. No need to talk to anyone, just jump right in.

2. Follow the prompts to create your first AI Chatbot.

3. Head to the 'Install' section for your new chatbot.

4. Copy the JavaScript snippet they give you. It's just a few lines of code.

Step 2: Navigate to the script manager in your BigCommerce store

Alright, now let's pop over to your BigCommerce dashboard. This is where you'll tell your store to load the chat widget.

1. Log in to your BigCommerce admin panel.

2. In the menu on the left, click on Storefront.

3. From the menu that appears, choose Script Manager.

This is the central spot for safely adding any third-party scripts to your store.

Step 3: Create and configure a new script for your chat widget

Inside the Script Manager, you'll see a button to "Create a Script." Click that, and a simple form will pop up. Here’s exactly how to set it up for your new AI chat widget:

• Name of script: Give it something clear and obvious. "eesel AI Chat Widget" works perfectly.

• Description: This part is optional, but it can be helpful to add a note like, "Powers the 24/7 AI assistant on our storefront."

• Location on page: Choose Footer. This is the best way to do it because it lets all your main page content load first, so the chat widget won't slow down your site for visitors.

• Select pages where script will be added: Pick All pages. You want to be available to help customers wherever they are on your site, from the homepage all the way to checkout.

• Script category: Select Functional.

• Script type: Make sure Script is checked.

• Script contents: This is the big one. Paste the JavaScript code you copied back in Step 1 right into this box.

Once you've filled that all in, click Save. That's pretty much it! If you go look at your storefront, you should see the chat widget bubble pop up in the corner.

Step 4: Give your AI widget a brain by connecting it to your knowledge

This is the step that makes all the difference. It's what separates a truly helpful AI assistant from a chatbot that just makes people angry. An empty chat widget isn't useful to anyone; it needs to be trained on your business info to be valuable.

Luckily, you don't have to sit there and manually teach it everything. Modern platforms like eesel AI make this super easy by connecting to the places where your knowledge already lives. With just a few clicks, you can give your AI access to:

• Your existing Help Center or FAQ page.

• Product information pulled right from your BigCommerce catalog.

• Internal guides and policies from places like Google Docs, Notion, or Confluence.

• Even your past support tickets from help desks like Zendesk or Gorgias, so it can learn your brand's unique tone of voice all on its own.

By connecting these sources, you're turning your widget from a simple contact form into a 24/7 expert on your products, shipping policies, and return process. It can handle most customer questions instantly, without you lifting a finger.

A screenshot showing how to integrate an AI chat widget in BigCommerce by connecting various knowledge sources like Zendesk, Notion, and Google Docs in the eesel AI platform.

Step 5: Customize and test your AI before you go fully live

Before you tell the world about your new AI helper, you’ll want to make sure it's giving the right answers and fits your brand's vibe. Testing is key to feeling confident about turning it on.

This is where a good simulation mode is a lifesaver. Instead of just crossing your fingers, eesel AI lets you test your AI on thousands of your past customer questions in a safe, offline space. You can see exactly how it would have answered, tweak its knowledge, and even get an idea of its automation rate before it ever talks to a live customer.

You can also customize the AI's personality. Using a simple prompt editor, you can define its tone. Should it be professional and straight to the point? Friendly and cheerful? A little bit quirky? You get to decide what fits your brand, making sure the AI feels like a natural part of your team.

The eesel AI simulation mode shows how to integrate an AI chat widget in BigCommerce and test its responses against past customer inquiries to ensure accuracy.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Getting the widget on your site is just the start. To really get the most out of it, here are a few common mistakes you'll want to avoid.

• Mistake 1: Forgetting the escape hatch.

  No AI is perfect, and some questions will always need a human. A big mistake is not giving customers a clear, easy way to talk to a person when they need to. A good AI platform doesn't try to trap people in a loop; it offers a smooth handoff to your support team, either through live chat or by creating a support ticket.

• Mistake 2: Using an AI that can't actually do anything.

  A really helpful AI can do more than just provide information. Customers get frustrated fast if your bot can only say, "Sorry, I can't look that up for you." The best AI assistants can perform actions, like checking an order status in real-time or looking up inventory levels. This is where simpler chat tools fall short. For example, eesel AI's custom actions let it connect to your other systems and give these kinds of personalized, real-time answers.

• Mistake 3: Treating it as a "set it and forget it" tool.

  Your AI should be a living, breathing part of your support strategy. The best systems improve over time. Use the analytics dashboard to see what questions customers are asking most. This is free, valuable feedback! It might point out a gap in your FAQ page or a confusing product description. By fixing the root of the problem, you can reduce the number of questions you get and make your whole business run a little bit smoother.

This analytics dashboard shows how to integrate an AI chat widget in BigCommerce and use its reports to identify knowledge gaps and improve customer support over time.

A smarter way to support your customers

As you can see, integrating an AI chat widget in BigCommerce is a process anyone can handle in a few steps.

The point isn't just to add another button to your site. It's about giving your customers a smart, 24/7 assistant that actually improves their experience, answers questions on the spot, and frees up your team to focus on growing the business. With the right tool, you can connect all of your business knowledge and customize the experience without writing a line of code.

Ready to get started?

Want to add a genuinely helpful AI to your BigCommerce store? See how eesel AI can connect with your knowledge sources and start answering customer questions in minutes. Try it for free today.