Why AI chatbots are critical for UK online stores in 2025
Today’s shoppers expect fast, helpful support - day or night. AI chatbots can:
- Offer 24/7 customer service
- Assist with product discovery and recommendations
- Recover abandoned carts
- Automate FAQs, returns, and delivery updates
- Integrate with Shopify, WooCommerce, CRMs, and more
They also help manage costs and improve conversion rates - a win-win for businesses and customers alike.
Key features to look for in an e-commerce chatbot
When choosing an AI chatbot for your store, prioritise:
- Sales assistance (guided product recommendations)
- Smart automations (returns, order tracking, delivery info)
- Integrations with your tech stack (Shopify, HubSpot, etc.)
- British English and GBP support
- Omnichannel options (web, WhatsApp, Messenger)
- GDPR compliance and local data hosting
Top 10 UK AI chatbots for e-commerce in 2025
Here are ten UK-based or UK-friendly chatbot platforms tailored to online stores:
1. Worktual (UK-wide)
- Established AI chatbot with virtual phone system
- Deep integrations with CRM and ticketing platforms
- Designed for UK e-commerce and service teams
- Starting at £7/month
- Best for flexible automation on a budget
2. EBI.AI (Warwick, UK)
- Automates up to 90% of customer queries
- 24/7 AI chat with live agent fallback
- Pay-as-you-go pricing from ~0.04p per request
- Free 30-day trial
- Great for SMEs scaling up support
3. Promptchat (East Devon, UK)
- Drag-and-drop chatbot builder with OpenAI integration
- Self-hosted or white-labelled cloud version
- Multilingual and omnichannel (SMS, WhatsApp, web)
- Ideal for resellers, agencies, or small e-shops
4. Click4Assistance (Essex, UK)
- Over 20 years of UK live chat experience
- Now offers AI chatbot with ChatGPT
- Customisable for retail and public sector
- UK servers and support
- Best for mid-to-large e-commerce teams
5. Ubisend (Norwich, UK)
- Enterprise-grade AI platform
- Multi-bot management, RPA integration
- Supports web, SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger
- Bespoke pricing
- Suitable for large-scale e-commerce and enterprise clients
6. Flochat (Telford, UK)
- No-code platform with multi-channel support
- Prebuilt workflows for e-commerce and lead capture
- 14-day free trial
- Tiered pricing in GBP
- Great for fast deployment across 15+ channels
7. Humley (Northampton, UK)
- Generative AI chatbot for enterprise use
- Pre-trained language models and process automation
- Integrates into internal and customer-facing workflows
- Custom quotes only
- Ideal for regulated industries or complex services
8. Creative Virtual (London, UK)
- Highly customisable virtual assistants and voicebots
- Used by large UK retailers and public sector
- Multilingual, omnichannel, enterprise-ready
- Proof-of-concept model available
- Best for tailored deployments with expert guidance
9. Futr AI (London, UK)
- AI chatbot and live chat combo
- Auto-translates 100+ languages
- No-code builder, supports social and web
- Custom packages with GBP pricing
- Suitable for SMEs and councils wanting fast AI support
10. eDesk (UK office, HQ in Dublin)
- Helpdesk and AI chatbot for online sellers
- Built for Amazon, eBay, Shopify integrations
- Smart ticketing, AI replies, and chat widget
- Free tier available, paid plans from £39/month
- Ideal for marketplace retailers and support-heavy shops
How AI chatbots boost e-commerce sales
AI chatbots don’t just answer questions - they convert visitors into customers:
- Quicker responses = fewer abandoned carts
- Smart product suggestions = higher average order value
- Automated follow-ups = better re-engagement
- Instant service = improved trust and loyalty
Research by Worktual reveals that a UK online fashion store using AI could expect to reduce first-response times by 65% and increase monthly orders by 18%.
Comparison table: UK e-commerce chatbot platforms
Chatbot | UK-Based | Starting Price | Channels | Best For |
---|
Worktual | Yes | £7/month | Web, phone, CRM | Affordable smart automation |
EBI.AI | Yes | ~£0.04/use | Web, social | SME support automation |
Promptchat | Yes | $50/month | SMS, WhatsApp | Agencies and resellers |
Click4Assist | Yes | Bespoke | Web, video | Mid-size e-commerce |
Ubisend | Yes | Custom | Web, SMS, social | Large enterprises |
Flochat | Yes | Free trial | Web, social, SMS | Fast omnichannel setup |
Humley | Yes | Enterprise | Enterprise Internal + web | Regulated industries |
Creative Virtual | Yes | Custom | Voice, chat, IVR | Public sector, large retail |
Futr | Yes | Custom | Social, web | Local gov and SMEs |
eDesk | Partial | £39/month | Email, web, social | Marketplace sellers |
Why Worktual is a strong alternative
Worktual blends UK-focused support, smart automation, and affordability. It’s ideal for e-commerce brands that want practical AI tools, without the bloat or cost of enterprise platforms.
- Local pricing and language
- Seamless CRM and e-commerce integrations
- Combine chatbot + virtual phone + tickets
- Built for British customer expectations
- Tips for choosing the right chatbot
- Match features to your business size and sales model
- Prioritise integrations and automation depth
- Test with a free trial or demo
- Don’t overpay for features you won’t use
Final thoughts: the future of AI in UK e-commerce
AI chatbots are becoming a standard part of the e-commerce toolkit. With UK-built platforms now leading the way, it’s easier than ever to find a chatbot that meets local needs - from small shops to large marketplaces.
Choose one that fits your growth stage, brand tone, and technical setup. Done right, AI won’t just answer questions - it’ll drive conversions, improve customer experience, and free your team to focus on what matters.
FAQs
Faster support, 24/7 availability, reduced costs, better conversions, and local language tuning.
Pick one that integrates with your store, fits your budget, and supports your sales funnel.
Yes. UK-based tools like Worktual, EBI.AI, and Flochat are built with SMEs in mind.
From free to £70+/month, depending on features and business size.
Automation, e-commerce integrations, smart FAQs, multi-channel support, and UK language handling.
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