Escape the Maze: How AI is Liberating Customer Experience & SEO

Picture of Tucker Andrews


Escape the Maze: How AI is Liberating Customer Experience & SEO


Witheai

Navigating a company’s website today is like being dropped inside a digital maze—and it’s up to you to find your way to the finish line. Today’s business websites force customers to click through complicated menus, hop between disconnected pages, and dig through dense layouts just to find what they need. The result? Traditional customer experience (CX) causes frustration, wasted time, high bounce rates, and lost revenue.
 
Digital marketing teams are stuck in a maze too. Implementing legacy SEO tactics and organizing information architecture for a website is basically creating a labyrinth of siloed content with forced keyword density, endless landing pages, and an infinity loop of conversion rate optimization exercises.
 
Learn how AI is offering consumers and digital marketers an escape hatch from the maddening maze of today’s websites.
 
 
Enter AI as the catchall solution. Businesses at the forefront of adopting AI-powered functionality are experiencing better customer satisfaction, higher conversion rates, and measurable improvements in revenue. And marketing teams are discovering how AI implementation for websites is impacting SEO and information architecture. Could we finally be looking at a world of websites that focuses more on CX and less on the latest search engine algorithms? Read on.

It’s 2025, and websites are still making the same old mistakes.
▪ Customers shouldn’t have to click all around a website in a self-serve format
▪ Comparing products or services shouldn’t require constantly toggling between webpages
▪ It shouldn’t take 5 minutes to figure out how to schedule an appointment with sales or support
▪ The checkout UX shouldn’t be a leading cause of abandoned carts
▪ Onboarding a customer and providing customer assistance shouldn’t be stressful for the customer or staff
▪ Soliciting feedback shouldn’t result in a mix of good and bad reviews
▪ Ongoing support for customers should never be limited by hours of operation or staff replies
▪ Digital marketers shouldn’t put all their trust in the execution of legacy SEO tactics
▪ Digital marketers shouldn’t be spending countless hours crafting landing pages and engaging in endless conversion rate optimization

The rapid evolution of AI is radically redefining the way users interact with websites (including paths to conversion) and the rules of engagement for SEO. AI is fundamentally shifting expectations around search, navigation, and overall consumer experience. From voice-powered browsing and predictive UX to conversational interfaces and AI-driven summarization, the new frontier of website design requires both technical adaptability and human-centered innovation.

While AI is transforming nearly every aspect of our lives, most websites still trap users in confusing, clunky journeys. But just as AI can solve a maze in seconds, it can now do the same for your online customers, guiding them effortlessly to what they need—if you’ll let it.
 

 

Common Problems with Website Navigation

 

news1.1

Navigating a website effectively is crucial for customer satisfaction, yet many businesses overlook essential navigation design elements. Approximately 37% of users abandon websites due to confusing or unclear navigation menus, and inconsistent page structures negatively impact 94% of users' first impressions (Sweor). Addressing these navigation issues is vital to improving CX and enhancing website performance.
 
6 key problems customers frequently face with website navigation:
 
1. Overly Complex Menus
Excessively detailed or nested menus confuse visitors, making it difficult to locate information quickly.

2. Poor Mobile Optimization
Many users access websites from mobile devices, but navigation that's not optimized for small screens creates frustration. Customers abandon poorly optimized mobile sites, reducing conversion potential.
 
3. Excessive Use of Dropdowns or Flyouts
Overuse of dropdowns or flyouts can overwhelm and confuse users, particularly on touch-based devices.
 
4.  Lack of Breadcrumb Trails 
Without breadcrumb navigation, users struggle to understand their current location on a website and find their way back to previously visited pages.
 
5.  Broken or Dead Links
Clicking on broken links interrupts navigation, damaging user trust and negatively impacting the overall browsing experience.
 
6.  No Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Websites without clear, intuitive CTAs confuse visitors who need guidance on the next steps.

How AI Is Enhancing Website Navigation and User Flow
 
AI is revolutionizing website navigation by removing friction, personalizing the browsing experience, and helping users find what they need without confusion or wasted time. Instead of relying solely on static menus or outdated layouts, businesses are now using AI-powered tools to adapt navigation in real time based on user behavior, intent, and device type.
 
To address overly complex menus and excessive dropdowns, AI can monitor navigation patterns and simplify the interface for each visitor by surfacing only the most relevant options. For mobile users, AI automatically optimizes content structure and layout based on screen size, ensuring a smoother, more intuitive experience that mirrors native app usability.
 
When users get lost or disoriented, AI-enhanced breadcrumb logic and predictive pathing can help them retrace steps or jump ahead to where they’re most likely to go next. AI also plays a critical role in maintaining link integrity across large websites by scanning for broken or outdated links and triggering automated fixes or redirects, preserving trust and flow.
 
Quote 1-2
 
AI chat assistants and voice-enabled navigation tools can now act as dynamic guides—offering deep links to relevant pages, highlighting important CTAs, and even summarizing content based on a user's questions. These assistants reduce reliance on traditional browsing altogether by serving as an interactive layer that helps customers move from entry point to conversion faster.
 
By integrating AI into the foundation of website navigation, businesses create smarter, more responsive digital environments that reduce bounce rates, improve engagement, and turn browsing into action.
 
Sharely.ai specifically addresses navigation challenges by enabling users to directly ask questions through a widget on the homepage. It instantly provides easy-to-understand answers to complex questions about products and services, offers customized product recommendations, delivers direct answers regarding policies and more. Sharely’s AI streamlines website navigation, enhances CX, and significantly shortens the funnel from discovery to conversion.
 
Screenshot-1
 
 

Common Problems with Product/Service Comparison

 

news1.2

Effective product or service comparison features can powerfully influence purchasing decisions. One study indicates that when side-by-side product comparisons are available, 57% of online shoppers are more inclined to complete a purchase. Additionally, 83% of consumers consider clear criteria for comparison essential. These findings underscore the value of well-structured comparison features in enhancing the customer experience and driving sales (WeCanTrack). (That is, if you’re trying to solve this problem with design, rather than with AI). Additionally, poorly detailed product page descriptions can deter online shoppers from completing purchases, driving potential customers to competitors. Ensuring comprehensive comparison tools and thorough product page details are essential features for a competitive advantage.
 
 
2 major CX problems related to comparing products or services on a website:
 
1. Having to Open Multiple Tabs to Compare Products
Users resorting to opening several browser tabs simultaneously to view different products highlights a lack of intuitive comparison tools. This disjointed experience creates an unnecessarily complex CX.
According to Kinsta.com, as much as 75% of site visitors that abandon their carts planned on returning to the site to complete their purchase or continue their research (Kinsta). This shows a massive trend in consumers taking extra time to compare product features and prices before making a purchase.
 
2. Lacking Important Product Information
Inconsistent or incomplete product specs can make it difficult for customers to effectively compare options and confidently choose between products.
 
How AI Is Transforming Product and Service Comparison
 
AI is redefining how customers compare products and services online by removing friction, personalizing results, and eliminating the need for manual side-by-side tab hopping. Instead of forcing users to open multiple browser windows or hunt for product specs across pages, AI-powered comparison engines deliver relevant, real-time suggestions that adapt to individual shopping behavior and preferences.
 
For customers frustrated by the lack of built-in comparison tools, AI assistants can present dynamic side-by-side comparisons directly within the browsing session. These tools highlight key differences in features, pricing, reviews, and compatibility—customized to the user’s stated or inferred priorities—without requiring extra effort from the customer. This drastically simplifies the research process and helps users reach confident decisions faster.
 
Quote 2-1
 
To address missing or inconsistent product information, AI systems can detect gaps in product detail pages and automatically flag them for enrichment. Some platforms use generative AI to populate missing specifications or generate clear, uniform descriptions that make it easier to compare items across categories. These enhanced descriptions not only improve usability but also boost SEO and reduce bounce rates.
 
AI can also support predictive product ranking, surfacing the most relevant comparisons based on previous browsing behavior, demographics, or even real-time session data. As a result, customers see options that truly match their intent, rather than generic recommendations. This level of personalization improves decision-making, reduces abandonment, and builds stronger trust in the brand.
 
Sharely.ai specifically solves the issue of hyper-specific product comparisons by refining user recommendations based on conversational inputs in chat. When customers indicate specific preferences, Sharely adapts recommendations to highlight the most suitable options, clearly articulating relevant benefits. By asking the right questions and delivering well-matched responses, Sharely’s AI builds trust with the customer and helps propel them towards conversion through links or in-chat checkout features.
 

Common Problems for Customers Scheduling Appointments with Sales and Support

 

image 883

Efficient scheduling processes for sales and support are essential to meeting customer expectations, but many websites struggle to deliver. Complex or confusing scheduling procedures can discourage customer engagement. And delayed appointment confirmations can negatively impact satisfaction.
 
5 common frustrations customers experience when scheduling support:
 
1. Difficulty Finding Where to Schedule an Appointment or Contact a Real Human
Customers often struggle to locate the correct area on a website to schedule appointments or connect directly with a live representative. Lack of clarity or easy access can quickly frustrate users, causing abandonment or delays in conversion.
 
2. Limited Availability of Appointment Slots
Customers can be challenged by limited scheduling options that don't align with their immediate needs. Restrictive appointment availability can significantly delay resolutions, negatively impacting CX. Sometimes, it’s lack of data (calendars), not availability, that leads to a failure to connect quickly.
 
3. No Immediate Confirmation of Scheduled Appointments
When customers schedule support but don't receive immediate confirmation, uncertainty increases, causing stress and dissatisfaction.
 
4. Complex or Lengthy Scheduling Forms
Complex forms requiring extensive information before scheduling can discourage customers from proceeding.
 
5. Difficulty Escalating to Live Support
Many customers struggle to transition smoothly from automated scheduling or chatbots to direct interaction with a live representative when issues become complicated. 
 
How AI Is Improving Appointment Scheduling and Live Support Access
 
AI is significantly improving how customers schedule appointments by streamlining the process, removing friction, and offering more immediate, personalized responses. With AI-driven scheduling systems, users no longer have to search endlessly for contact links or deal with rigid calendars that do not reflect real-time availability.
 
For customers who struggle to find where or how to schedule an appointment, AI assistants embedded on websites can guide them directly to the appropriate booking tool or even complete the scheduling process within the conversation. These assistants can respond to natural language questions like “Can I talk to someone this afternoon?” and return exact time slots without requiring users to dig through menus or pages.
 
To solve the problem of limited appointment availability, AI can sync with internal calendars across departments and dynamically present open slots based on urgency, topic, and agent availability. Even when human agents are not available, AI can offer alternative options such as delayed-response messaging or escalate the issue based on its complexity.
 
Quote 3
 
Immediate confirmation is another area where AI shines. Once an appointment is scheduled, AI systems can instantly trigger confirmation emails or SMS messages, along with calendar invites and pre-call checklists. This reduces uncertainty for customers and helps them feel more prepared and valued.
 
When customers face lengthy or repetitive forms, AI can pre-fill known information or dynamically shorten the form based on what it already understands about the user. Finally, when a conversation becomes too complex for automation, AI recognizes the need for escalation and can connect the customer with a live agent—often with full context of the prior interaction—creating a seamless transition between self-service and human support.
 
Sharely.ai uniquely integrates appointment scheduling and live human interaction (its "human-in-the-loop" feature). Users can conveniently schedule support directly within the chat interface, but if immediate live assistance is available, Sharely can seamlessly transition to a live representative for personalized support.
 

Common Problems with eCommerce Purchases

 

image 887

Online shopping experiences are frequently hampered by complex and unclear checkout processes. More specifically, an overly long or complicated checkout process is a leading cause of cart abandonment in eCommerce. Addressing these friction points is essential.
 
Top 5 reasons customers get frustrated with eCommerce checkout:
 
1. Unexpected Additional Costs
Customers frequently abandon carts upon encountering unexpected shipping fees or hidden costs during checkout. The sudden increase in price breaks trust, causing approximately 48% of shoppers to abandon their carts (BigCommerce).
 
2. Complicated or Lengthy Checkout Processes
Multi-step checkouts demanding excessive form-filling can be a turnoff for customers. Overly complicated checkouts contribute to about 18% of shopping cart abandonments (Shopify).
 
3. Forced Account Creation
Mandatory account creation before checkout deters customers who prefer the “guest checkout” option, resulting in increased abandonment. Approximately 35% of customers leave a website due to being forced to register before checkout (Kinsta).
 
 
4. Security Concerns or Lack of Trust Signals
Users abandon checkouts if websites fail to demonstrate clear security measures or trust indicators, raising concerns about personal information safety. According to Statista.com, 22% of customers reported abandoning their cart because they didn’t trust the site with their personal finance information such as a credit card (Statista).
 
5. Limited or Confusing Payment Options
Lack of preferred payment methods or unclear instructions on the payment page can be distracting, prompting customers to abandon their purchase.
 
How AI Improves the eCommerce Checkout Experience
 
AI is helping retailers transform the online checkout experience by reducing friction, increasing trust, and adapting to customer needs in real time. These intelligent systems can address many of the pain points that typically lead to cart abandonment and frustration.
 
For example, AI can detect when a customer hesitates at a specific checkout stage and respond with tailored assistance or limited-time incentives to ease uncertainty. Smart algorithms can also provide transparent pricing breakdowns upfront, helping to eliminate the surprise of unexpected costs. If a customer pauses before completing a purchase, AI can trigger reminders or highlight free shipping thresholds to maintain momentum.
 
To address long and complicated checkout flows, AI can personalize the process by auto-filling known information and removing unnecessary steps for returning users. It can also recommend enabling guest checkout for first-time buyers to prevent friction caused by forced account creation.
 
Security concerns are managed through AI that flags suspicious activity and enhances fraud detection while also displaying real-time trust badges and secure payment icons, reinforcing user confidence. Additionally, AI can dynamically prioritize and display the most relevant payment options based on the user’s location, device, or previous preferences, reducing confusion and speeding up the final decision.
 
Quote 4
 
By making the checkout experience smoother, faster, and more reassuring, AI helps businesses lower cart abandonment rates and increase completed purchases, ultimately improving both revenue and customer satisfaction.
 
Sharely.ai provides a seamless purchasing experience by facilitating direct, conversational checkout interactions. During an in-chat checkout conversation, customers can instantly confirm product details, resolve questions about returns or shipping, and complete transactions—all within their conversation with the AI. Sharely can immediately provide confirmation numbers and other details, reducing friction and enhancing purchasing confidence.
 

Screenshot2-1

Common Problems with Onboarding and Product Unpacking

 

image 882

Effective onboarding and unpacking processes play a crucial role in customer retention, yet businesses often neglect this phase of customer experience. Customers are 50% more likely to remain loyal to a company with an effective onboarding process which includes an easy CX (SMSCountry).
 
6 common problems customers encounter with onboarding & unpacking support:
 
1. Difficult-to-Locate Setup Instructions
Customers frequently struggle to find setup instructions on websites, leading to customer service requests.
 
2. Lack of Step-by-Step Visual Guides or Tutorials
Many users find text-only instructions insufficient for complex setups or installations. Absence of visual or video walkthroughs makes onboarding unnecessarily difficult, often requiring external support.
 
3. Ineffective or Missing Troubleshooting Resources
When customers encounter product problems, the absence of readily available troubleshooting resources exacerbates the situation. Websites lacking well-structured troubleshooting guidance results in increased support requests from frustrated customers.
 
4. Complex or Inaccessible Product Registration Processes
Overly complicated or hard-to-find product registration processes deter users from completing onboarding tasks.
 
5. Insufficient Integration or Compatibility Information
Customers are often left uncertain about how a new product integrates with existing tools or platforms due to inadequate compatibility details. This uncertainty delays onboarding and leads to an increase in requests for customer support.
 
6. Inability to Quickly Access Direct Support or Live Assistance 
Difficulty in locating direct support options or initiating live interactions elevates stress levels for customers which translates into more challenging support scenarios for staff.

 

How AI is Solving Challenges for Onboarding and Unpacking Support

AI can significantly enhance onboarding and product unpacking by making the experience more intuitive, accessible, and responsive. Intelligent systems like generative AI, computer vision, and machine learning are already transforming how companies deliver setup, support, and registration experiences.
 
For example, AI-powered site search and chat interfaces can instantly surface setup instructions based on natural language queries, solving the problem of difficult-to-locate setup guides. Visual AI can automatically generate step-by-step tutorials (including video walkthroughs) tailored to each customer’s product model or configuration. When issues arise, AI-driven troubleshooting assistants can guide customers through diagnostics and resolutions dynamically, without the need to contact support.
 
Quote 6
 
Complicated product registration flows are also being streamlined through conversational AI and autofill capabilities that adapt to user input in real-time, reducing friction and drop-off. Integration and compatibility concerns are addressed with AI that can ask about a user’s tech setup and recommend relevant configurations, reducing the guesswork. And for users who still need human help, AI-driven routing and escalation tools ensure that live assistance is just a click away.
 
By embedding AI into every layer of the onboarding process, companies can drastically reduce customer frustration, lower support volume, and increase long-term satisfaction and loyalty.
 
Sharely.ai addresses these issues by enabling customers to scan QR codes directly from product packaging, immediately connecting them to personalized setup assistance. Sharely can provide step-by-step guidance, populate video walkthroughs, and offer easy access to manuals. Plus it can utilize the human-in-the-loop live support feature by inviting a support agent to jump into the conversation, or help schedule a support call. This ensures customers have everything they need to complete onboarding or setup.
 

Common Problems with Collecting Customer Feedback and Reviews

 

feedback

Gathering customer feedback and reviews is vital for continuous improvement, yet many companies face challenges in this area. According to SurveyMonkey, surveys that take more than 7-8 minutes to complete see a significant increase in abandon rates, with research showing that respondents are far less likely to finish due to inconvenience (SurveyMonkey).
 
4 major problems companies face when trying to gather customer reviews:
 
1. Strict Review Guidelines by Major Platforms
Major platforms like Amazon have stringent guidelines prohibiting incentives for positive reviews or manipulation of review outcomes. Companies often find these rules challenging to navigate, as violations can lead to account suspension or removal of products.
 
2. Companies Cheating to Obtain Reviews
Facing pressure for higher ratings, some companies resort to cheating methods such as:
  • Offering hidden incentives (gift cards, refunds) in exchange for reviews on popular platforms.
  • Soliciting fake reviews from third-party services or using bots to artificially inflate ratings.

These unethical practices, while temporarily boosting ratings, ultimately risk severe penalties, consumer backlash, and lasting damage to brand reputation.

 
3. Impact of Negative Reviews on Business
Studies by ReviewTrackers show that 94% of consumers avoid businesses due to significant negative online reviews. Additionally, this research shows 53% of customers expect a business to respond to negative reviews within a week, and 63% say at least one company they reviewed negatively never even responded (ReviewTrackers).
 
4. Responding to Negative Reviews
Companies often struggle to effectively respond to negative reviews, further escalating customer dissatisfaction. Common issues include:
  • Delayed responses that aggravate customer concerns.
  • Lack of proper resolution or follow-through.
  • Publicly disputing negative reviews, which worsens public perception.

How AI Is Improving Customer Feedback and Review Management

AI is transforming how companies collect, monitor, and respond to customer feedback by automating key tasks, uncovering insights at scale, and improving response quality. Instead of relying on outdated manual methods, businesses can now use AI to streamline review collection, ensure compliance, and protect brand reputation.
 
To address the challenge of strict review guidelines, AI tools can automatically flag potentially non-compliant language or solicitation methods before feedback is published, helping companies stay within the rules of platforms like Amazon or Google. In cases where unethical review practices have become a risk, AI-driven fraud detection systems can identify patterns of suspicious review behavior, ensuring reviews are authentic and transparent while protecting businesses from penalties and reputation loss.
 
AI also helps companies respond quickly and effectively to negative reviews. Natural language generation tools can draft thoughtful, personalized replies in seconds, reducing delays and ensuring each response reflects the brand’s tone. Sentiment analysis tools can prioritize high-risk reviews that require immediate attention, preventing situations from escalating further.
 
Quote 7
 
For improving survey and feedback collection, AI can optimize survey design by dynamically adjusting questions based on user behavior. This makes the process feel shorter and more relevant, reducing abandonment rates and increasing completion. Predictive analytics can even identify which customers are most likely to leave a review, allowing businesses to engage them with non-incentivized, well-timed requests that meet platform guidelines.
 
By using AI across the feedback lifecycle, companies can improve review quality, respond faster, and build stronger, more authentic relationships with their customers.
 
Sharely.ai can optimize customer feedback collection in live chat by determining whether a customer has a positive or negative sentiment. This is discovered through post-purchase conversations with previously existing customers. Sharely can encourage verified customers to share their experiences through conversational prompts. If the feedback is negative or partially critical, it can be routed to management. Positive feedback can prompt the AI to invite a review. To take it a step further, Sharely can offer the customer a coupon code in exchange for a review on your company’s website. Then, Sharely can walk your customer through the process of writing a review using its Canvas, which is an iframe window, providing easy-to-use review forms. This engagement flow leads to an increase in participation rates for positive reviews.
 
Additionally, you can place links to your customized Sharely AI in your marketing email and on social media channels. By doing this, you can drive customers with feedback directly to your Sharely AI to engage in an empathetic conversation. Implementing this communication tactic has the potential to redirect unhappy customers who planned on venting on social media to instead have a private conversation with your AI. And for email, instead of a back-and-forth with your staff, your customer can engage with your customized Sharely AI via a link, enjoying the same result—being heard and quickly resolving the issue.
 

Common Problems with On-Demand Customer Support 24/7

 

problems, customersupport

 
Responsive and accessible customer support is critical for maintaining customer satisfaction, yet many organizations struggle to deliver timely and effective solutions. Slow response times negatively impact 90% of customers who prioritize immediate assistance (B Squared Media).
 
Top 5 challenges of delivering effective 24/7 customer support:
 
1.Difficulty Finding Information on the Website
Customers can often lose patience if they struggle to find support options quickly. Without intuitive, easily accessible resources, customers waste time searching unsuccessfully, leading to dissatisfaction and potentially lost business.
 
2. Unhelpful Search Bars and Chatbots
Search bars and chatbots are frequently ineffective, providing irrelevant or generic answers to specific customer inquiries. Customers become irritated by robotic or repetitive responses, creating negative impressions and driving customers to competitors with better support.
 
3. Delayed Responses via Email and Social Media
Waiting extended periods for replies to emails or social media comments significantly frustrates customers, especially when they seek immediate assistance. Slow response times negatively affect brand perception, making customers feel undervalued and prompting them to publicly voice complaints.
 
4. Manpower Limitations for Phone Calls and Voicemail Management
Companies struggle to maintain adequate staffing to handle off-hour phone calls. Voicemails accumulate, often leaving customers waiting impatiently for callbacks, resulting in reduced customer trust, and damage to brand loyalty.
 
5. Increased Urgency and Service Demands During Holidays
Holiday periods amplify customer support needs, creating a surge of urgent requests precisely when many businesses have inadequate staffing. Failure to quickly and effectively address these heightened demands can result in unhappy customers and lasting harm to brand reputation.
 
How AI Is Transforming 24/7 Customer Support
 
AI-powered customer support solutions are transforming how companies deliver around-the-clock service by resolving issues faster, improving customer satisfaction, and reducing the pressure on human support teams. By deploying AI across multiple support channels, businesses can ensure that customers receive consistent and responsive help, even during peak times and outside regular business hours.
 
For instance, AI-driven search and recommendation engines make it easier for customers to instantly find the most relevant support resources without having to navigate clunky menus or poorly organized websites. Natural language processing (NLP) improves chatbot interactions by enabling them to understand context and intent, which allows them to deliver precise, human-like responses (assuming the AI is armed with the proper knowledge).
 
 
Quote 8
 
When it comes to delayed email or social media responses, AI can automatically prioritize tickets based on urgency, sentiment, and topic. This helps human agents respond more quickly and effectively. For phone and voicemail overload, voice AI and smart IVR systems can triage calls, offer intelligent responses, and handle routine queries without the need for live intervention. This reduces wait times and allows human agents to focus on more complex issues.
 
During high-demand periods such as holidays, AI gives businesses the ability to scale support instantly. Virtual agents are always available and can manage traffic spikes by resolving common requests while escalating more complicated cases to human teams. This leads to faster resolutions, lower customer frustration, and a stronger brand reputation even during busy periods.
 
By leveraging AI in these ways, companies can deliver consistent and high-quality support 24/7. This helps meet modern customer expectations while improving internal workflows and resource efficiency.
 
Sharely.ai delivers efficient 24/7 customer support through its advanced conversational (NLP) generative AI. Sharely instantly provides detailed product information, facilitates easy access to downloadable resources, and smoothly escalates complex issues to human support. It can accomplish this via integrated scheduling for support calls with human agents and real-time support chats with the AI or live agents. This ensures customers always receive immediate, comprehensive assistance.
 

Evolving SEO, Redefining Key Metrics, and the Future of AI-Powered Navigation

 

image 889

 
As artificial intelligence becomes the primary conduit between users and digital content, traditional website navigation and SEO strategies must evolve. Instead of merely optimizing for search engines and human click paths, businesses must now prepare their websites for AI agents—digital assistants that can read, interpret, summarize, and even act on behalf of the user.
 
We know the true inspiration for SEO ultimately revolves around the customer’s experience, so let’s start there and wind our way around to search engine optimization.
 
8 Ways AI is Changing CX
 
1. AI as the User’s Assistant: Navigation Without Clicking
In the emerging AI-powered web, users may no longer "navigate" a website in the traditional sense. AI agents such as Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT with browsing, or other AI-enhanced browsers can summarize and retrieve content from multiple websites. This eliminates the need for users to click through pages manually.
 
Through a conversation with AI, instead of clicking around on the internet (AKA a “zero-click” experience), customers can convert much faster. For a zero-click experience, a website’s content must be structured and machine-readable to ensure that AI tools can accurately extract, interpret, and deliver relevant information. Semantic HTML, schema.org markup, and clear information hierarchy are more critical than ever.
 
2. Time on Page Could Be Interpreted as a Negative Metric
While marketers traditionally viewed more time spent on a page as a sign of deep engagement, this perspective is shifting rapidly in the AI-driven digital age. Today's customers prefer instant clarity, immediate answers, and effortless navigation. Advanced AI tools swiftly anticipate user intent and streamline product discovery, making prolonged browsing less necessary. In some cases, these tools even enable users to skip entire pages by providing concise, informative summaries of page content. As a result, longer time spent on a page could indicate user frustration rather than genuine interest, highlighting a new reality where shorter interactions or fewer page views will often signify a better customer experience.
 
3. Conversational Interfaces Replacing Menus
The standard menu-driven interface is rapidly giving way to intent-driven interactions. Instead of browsing for information, users increasingly interact with conversational AI interfaces that retrieve what they need directly, without multiple clicks.
 
A user may ask, “What’s the return policy?” and an embedded AI assistant will instantly retrieve the correct answer, even if that information is buried deep in a subpage or maybe even in a supplemental database that’s not accessible via website navigation. This requires websites to integrate AI with robust internal search, structured content libraries, and well-tagged data for fast, precise retrieval.
 
4. Predictive and Personalized CX
AI enables websites to anticipate user intent by analyzing behavior patterns both on-site and off-site. This leads to dynamic content reshaping: personalized landing pages, re-ordered navigation, or context-specific calls-to-action based on inferred needs.
 
For example, a returning customer who previously downloaded technical specs might be shown a “Case Study” banner rather than a homepage hero image. Predictive design creates faster more satisfying journeys and higher conversion potential.
 
5. Multimodal and Voice-Driven Navigation
Today’s AI-powered interfaces increasingly support voice, image, and tactile interactions. Users can instruct a website, “Find shoes similar to this style,” or upload a photo to identify matching products, all without using traditional navigation.
 
This shift turns the sitemap into a semantic experience map. Developers must now focus on multimodal capabilities and visual recognition APIs alongside conventional UX design.
 
6. AI-Powered Summarization Within the Site
AI can now condense complex or long-form content into bite-sized summaries, enabling users to skim large volumes of information without manually navigating each section.
 
Websites must consider how long-form content is presented, and how AI can assist users in extracting what they need without overwhelming them. (Which is why we inserted our AI widget in the introduction of this very long Whitepaiper, for your convenience).
 
7. Accessibility and Inclusivity Through AI
AI enhances accessibility by dynamically adapting site content based on individual needs. From rewording complex language to highlighting visual elements for low-vision users, AI tools can personalize the web experience in real time.
 
Designing with inclusivity in mind means using clear structure, alt text, flexible interfaces, and accessible AI tools. This approach doesn't just meet compliance standards; it also expands your audience and builds brand trust.
 
8. Headless & API-First Architecture to Power AI Interfaces
Websites should adopt headless architecture, where content is stored separately and delivered via APIs, to support AI-powered tools like chatbots and voice assistants. This approach makes content flexible, reusable, and adaptable. This improves speed, personalization, and consistency across all user experiences.
 
Because this is somewhat new territory in information architecture, let’s dive a little deeper into the basics of this topic:
 

What is a headless, API-first architecture?

    • Headless architecture means that your website's content (like articles, product info, etc.) is stored separately from its design or presentation (the user interface).
    • API-first means the content is delivered through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) which are like connectors that let different technologies talk to each other.

Why use headless architecture?

Because your content and design are separate, you can easily deliver the same content across many different interfaces, such as:
    • Chatbots (e.g., customer support chatbots)
    • Voice assistants (for Alexa, Siri, etc.)
    • Mobile apps
    • Regular websites (browsers)

Why does this matter for AI?

AI-powered interactions (like chatbots or personalized voice assistants) need easy and quick access to your website's content. A headless system makes it easy for AI tools to:
    • Quickly fetch exactly the content they need, without unnecessary formatting or layout details.
    • Provide personalized experiences tailored for individual users.
    • Adapt content seamlessly across different channels (voice, chat, mobile, web).

Why is this important for customer experience (CX)?

As AI increasingly guides user experiences, having a headless architecture means your website or app can deliver content quickly and flexibly, resulting in:
    • Faster load times
    • Smooth user interactions
    • Consistent and personalized content regardless of the platform or device used.
What This Means for Web Design and SEO
These changes demand a new approach to digital strategy:
  • Design less for clicks, more for answers.
  • Focus on semantic markup, structured content, and machine readability.
  • Build API-first, AI-ready platforms that support multimodal interactions.
  • Treat AI agents as first-class users alongside human visitors.

Marketing in the Age of AI: Rethinking Landing Pages and Conversion Design

 image 891
For decades, marketers have poured time, creativity, and big budgets into designing pixel-perfect landing pages; each element optimized for conversion. Headlines are A/B tested. Colors are chosen for emotional impact. Every scroll, hover, and CTA is meticulously crafted to guide users down a defined funnel. But AI is fundamentally changing this model.
 
AI-powered customer experiences don’t rely on the “perfect” landing page. They adapt in real time, uncovering needs through conversation, offering personalized recommendations, and walking users through the journey without relying on static layouts or traditional funnel logic.
 
This represents a profound shift in the art of direct marketing.
 
The Landing Page Is No Longer the Endpoint, It’s Just the Opening Line
In the evolving AI-powered web, users may bypass landing pages altogether. They might arrive at your site mid-conversation, asking about a specific product, feature, or use case. They’ll expect immediate, relevant answers. If your site isn’t built to support conversational navigation, intent discovery, and real-time personalization, you lose the moment.
 
Marketers must start designing not just pages, but paths. They should be fluid, AI-assisted journeys that adapt based on who the customer is and what they need right now.
 
Good Design Still Matters, but So Does What Happens After the Click
 
Great branding and visual design still build trust. But without intelligent guidance once the user arrives, beautiful design alone won’t convert. AI tools can pick up where landing pages leave off, continuing the conversation:
  • Answering FAQs without forcing users to dig.
  • Addressing objections as they arise.
  • Recommending the right product based on real-time needs.
  • Seamlessly assisting with checkout or scheduling.
Think of it as your best salesperson—available 24/7, embedded directly into the customer experience.
 
CRO in the AI Era: From Static Funnels to Dynamic Dialogues
Traditional conversion rate optimization (CRO) is built on static hypotheses: "Change this headline," "Test this layout," "Move the button here." But with AI, optimization becomes dynamic. An AI-driven system learns and responds in real time to individual users, tailoring content, calls to action, and navigation based on live behavior and past context.
 
Instead of asking, “Which landing page performs better?” marketers will ask, “How well is our AI assistant uncovering intent and guiding users to conversion?”
 
AI Reduces Marketing Waste and Increases Speed to Value
AI-powered tools can reduce reliance on endless A/B tests, expensive microsite builds, and complex funnel maps. Marketers can launch faster and spend more time deeply understanding users, rather than repeatedly adjusting content or layouts.
 
Because AI automatically manages countless permutations of questions, preferences, and user paths, it delivers personalized experiences at a depth no static page ever could. This is responding instantly to user needs, at scale.
 
Marketing Takeaway: Your Funnel Just Got Smarter
In this new era, marketers don’t have to choose between art and performance. They can let strong branding coexist with intelligent, conversational experiences. The focus shifts from designing to convert to conversing to convert.
 
Quote 9
 

CONCLUSION: AI is the Future of CX and Has a Direct Impact on Tomorrow’s SEO

 
Customer experience pain points have long plagued B2C websites, significantly affecting consumer satisfaction, retention, and profitability. Common challenges such as confusing navigation, ineffective product comparisons, cumbersome checkouts, and inadequate support systems have persisted for years.
 
Artificial intelligence offers transformative solutions that directly address these common issues, significantly enhancing customer engagement and conversion rates. Companies leveraging AI-powered CX improvements have reported up to 25% increases in customer satisfaction and substantially higher ROI compared to those not utilizing AI (Renascence.io).
 
But beyond solving long-standing website CX issues, AI is reshaping the very structure of the web. SEO and navigation are no longer defined by clicks and keyword stuffing, but by a CX that is meaningful, machine-readable, and intent-responsive. Businesses must prepare their websites for AI agents, predictive interfaces, voice queries, and zero-click journeys. And it’s time to make sure your site has a highly functioning AI assistant to make navigation faster and easier.
 
Exit the Maze and Enter the Amazing World of AI-Driven CX Solutions
 
Sharely.ai is a natural language processing (NLP), generative AI that uniquely combines transformative solutions into a single, comprehensive platform that addresses a plethora of major CX pain points. It’s future-proofing websites for the next generation of AI-powered interaction. Available at an affordable monthly subscription rate, Sharely enables businesses of all sizes to dramatically enhance their customer experiences, improve discoverability, and stay ahead in a dynamic digital marketplace.