# Proactive Engagement with BuyScout® AI Store Agent

Offer timely help when BuyScout® senses that a shopper may need assistance to move forward.

Install BuyScout® and test the skill with your own store data.

**GDPR & AI Act compliant**

## How does proactive engagement begin?

BuyScout® AI Store Agent automatically senses when available storefront context suggests that timely help may unblock a purchase, then starts with a relevant offer of assistance. BuyScout® treats the shopper's response as stated intent and uses the behavioral signal only to choose a helpful moment.

## Situations for a timely invitation

Storefront context can help BuyScout® choose a useful moment without labeling the shopper's private motivation.

1. **A comparison needs context**  
   When a shopper is comparing products, BuyScout® can offer help with documented differences before the shopper has to ask.

2. **A cart question may be unresolved**  
   When cart or browsing context suggests compatibility, shipping, or offer information may help, BuyScout® can invite the shopper to explore it.

3. **A purchase obstacle appears**  
   BuyScout® offers focused help when storefront context suggests an obstacle, then treats the shopper's reply, not the signal, as evidence of intent.

## How proactive prompts stay relevant

BuyScout® automatically combines live shopping signals with current store knowledge to choose a useful moment and topic.

1. **Notice a likely obstacle**  
   BuyScout® uses the current page, browsing behavior, cart, and conversation context to recognize when timely help may be useful.

2. **Offer one clear kind of help**  
   The prompt names a useful task such as comparing options or checking compatibility instead of using vague sales pressure.

3. **Follow the shopper's response**  
   After a reply, the AI Store Agent follows the shopper's question and store evidence instead of treating behavior as intent.

## Helpful guidance appears on an outdoor dining collection

BuyScout®: Welcome! If you're choosing an outdoor dining set, I can help narrow the options by patio size, seating, or weather exposure - whichever matters most.

- My patio is 8 ft wide
- I need seating for six
- Which sets handle rain?

Outcome: BuyScout® turns the current collection context into a specific offer of help without promoting a particular product or assuming what the shopper wants.

## Context behind proactive engagement

No merchant-defined trigger is required. BuyScout® uses live shopper context and information from across the store automatically.

1. **Live shopping signals**  
   The current page, browsing behavior, cart, and conversation provide context about where useful information may unblock the shopper.

2. **Relevant store knowledge**  
   BuyScout® reads product information, policies, shipping details, offers, and other website content so the invitation can lead to useful help.

3. **A shopper-led conversation**  
   After BuyScout® opens the conversation, the shopper's response controls what happens next. Silence or dismissal is not treated as intent.

## How Proactive Engagement works automatically

BuyScout® actively offers help when it senses a purchase obstacle instead of waiting passively for the shopper to ask.

1. **Sense the moment**  
   BuyScout® evaluates available page, browsing, cart, and conversation context to recognize when assistance may be timely.

2. **Offer relevant help**  
   BuyScout® starts with a concise invitation tied to the likely purchase obstacle, such as comparing products, checking compatibility, or understanding shipping.

3. **Continue from the response**  
   When the shopper responds, BuyScout® continues naturally from the shopper's request and current store information.

4. **Optionally refine and test**  
   Merchants can add store-specific context or tailor brand voice in BuyScout® Dashboard, then review representative shopper journeys.

## Limits for proactive prompts

A behavioral signal can help choose the moment, but it does not reveal the shopper's thoughts or predict the outcome.

- **No mind reading**: BuyScout® treats behavior as context for offering help without labeling the shopper as hesitant, confused, price-sensitive, or ready to buy.
- **No repeated pressure**: BuyScout® respects dismissal and uses appropriate pacing so the invitation does not keep interrupting a shopper who declines it.
- **No purchase-outcome promise**: BuyScout® can offer earlier access to help without promising that the shopper will purchase.

## Frequently asked questions

**Does BuyScout® know that a shopper is hesitating?**  
BuyScout® does not need to know or label a shopper's private motive. BuyScout® uses available storefront context to recognize when timely help may unblock the purchase and offers assistance without claiming certainty.

**What does a proactive message say?**  
BuyScout® works best with a short, specific offer of help tied to information the store can support, such as comparing products or checking documented compatibility.

**Can a proactive prompt use urgency or scarcity?**  
Proactive Engagement avoids manufactured urgency and scarcity. Commercial statements in a prompt come from current, merchant-approved information.

**Does Proactive Engagement require merchants to configure triggers?**  
No. BuyScout® senses when a shopper may need help automatically from available storefront, browsing, cart, and conversation context. Merchants can optionally add context or tailor the voice in BuyScout® Dashboard.

**What happens when a shopper ignores or dismisses a prompt?**  
BuyScout® respects a shopper who ignores or closes the invitation and avoids repeating the same pressure. Silence is not treated as evidence of intent.

**What happens after a shopper responds to a proactive message?**  
BuyScout® continues naturally from the page and conversation context, answering the shopper's request instead of repeating the opening prompt.