Running a successful ecommerce store means you probably get a lot of phone calls. As you grow your business, answering every single inquiry becomes a full-time job.
You might find your support team spends all day answering the same product questions or giving order tracking updates.
This is where automation tools like Ringly.io come in to help you scale without adding more human customer service agents.
In 2026, you don't need a huge call center to provide great support. You can use an AI agent to handle customer inquiries 24/7.
This guide will show you exactly how to automate customer interactions so you can focus on making more sales.
Why should you automate customer calls?
Most Shopify store owners think they need a human agent to pick up every call. But the truth is, most customer queries are repetitive.
People want to know where their package is or how to use a discount code. Using AI to handle these tasks keeps your customer service operation running fast.
When you automate, your online store stays open for help even while you sleep.
An AI chatbot or voice agent can give real-time answers without any human intervention. This leads to better customer satisfaction because nobody likes waiting on hold.
How does AI phone support work for Shopify?
Modern AI phone support uses natural language processing to understand what a caller is saying.
It isn't a robotic menu from ten years ago. Today, AI-powered voice agents sound conversational and can actually solve problems.
When someone calls your business phone number, the AI agents answer and look up customer data instantly.
Because Ringly.io has a native integration with your Shopify store, the bot knows exactly what the person bought. It can handle customer issues like returns and exchanges right on the spot.
How to automate support calls for your Shopify store
Setting up automation for your Shopify store is easier than it sounds. You don't need to be a coder to get started. Most apps like Ringly.io are found right in the Shopify app store and take just a few minutes to connect.
Step 1: Choose the right AI agent
The first step is picking a tool that actually talks to Shopify. You want an AI-powered assistant that can do more than just take a message. Ringly.io is a great choice because it can execute actions like processing a refund or updating an address.
Step 2: Connect your Shopify data
Once you install the app, the app needs access to your orders and products. This connection allows the AI chatbot to give real-time updates on orders. It can even share discount codes with customers who are likely to purchase again.
Step 3: Create your support workflow
You need to decide what the AI should handle and when to bring in a human. A good workflow starts with the AI answering the call. If the inquiry is about a simple order tracking request, the AI handles it.
If the customer has a very complex problem, the AI can transfer them to a live support agent. You could also have the agent create a ticket in your helpdesk.
What to look for in a Shopify phone support alternative
If you are looking at different customer service tools, you need to make sure they actually save you time. Some tools just act as a basic bot that records a voicemail. That doesn't really help you automate.
Look for these features in your AI customer service software:
- Real-time sync: The tool should pull data directly from your Shopify admin.
- Natural voice: The AI voice should sound like a human, not a computer.
- Action-oriented: The AI should be able to actually take action inside of Shopify
- Analytics: You should be able to understand how chats influence sales and see your resolution rates.
TL;DR: Can AI really handle my support?
Yes, AI agents can handle around 70% of common support tickets. This means your support for Shopify becomes much cheaper and faster. You can start your free trial with Ringly.io to see how it handles your specific customer questions.
Will customers like talking to a bot?
Most shoppers just want their problem fixed quickly. If an AI call can tell them their delivery status in 30 seconds, they will be happy.
It actually helps improve the customer experience because there is no wait time. You still keep human customer service available for the tough stuff, which keeps customer loyalty high.
Also, most of the callers don't even realize they are speaking to an AI :)
Conclusion
Learning how to automate support calls for your Shopify store is one of the best ways to grow in 2026. It saves you money on hiring and ensures every customer gets an immediate answer.
By using AI tools like Ringly.io, you can provide professional phone support without a human having to pick up the phone.
FAQs about our AI phone support
Does Ringly offer a guarantee? Yes. You don’t pay until we resolve at least 60% of your calls autonomously. We are committed to providing a cost-effective solution that actually solves your customer support volume, rather than just routing it.
Does Ringly work with my current helpdesk? Yes. Ringly can escalate tickets to your existing helpdesk, and you have full control over what gets escalated. We work seamlessly with platforms like Gorgias, Richpanel, and others. For complex queries that the AI doesn't resolve, it creates a ticket with a full transcript so your team has all the context.
How does the AI handle order tracking? Our AI pulls data directly from Shopify to answer "where is my order" questions on every live phone call. This ensures a responsive customer experience without needing a full-time receptionist to manually look up tracking numbers.
Can I forward my existing number? Absolutely. You can use call forwarding to send your business calls to Ringly whenever you need us to handle the call, whether that is during peak hours or after business hours.
How do I get started? We offer a free trial so you can see how our AI-powered virtual receptionist service handles your phone lines and takes messages firsthand. Simply tell us about your business and connect your store to begin.
