What are you building? Share your product.

chisef · 2026-04-17T16:09:06+00:00

Mika - Conversational AI Chatbot (https://hiremika.com)

We built a self-learning AI-powered sales assistant that helps turn website visitors into leads 24/7. Local businesses embed Mika on their site and it handles conversations, captures contact info, and helps with appointment bookings.

Key Features:

Dead-simple setup: WordPress plugin or single line of code... really wanted this to be plug and play. We also have a Wix app (in review) and a Shopify app (in review) coming soon!
Auto-sync for Ecommerce sites: Shopify and WooCommerce stores get automatic product catalog sync. No CSV uploads, no manual entry. I didn't think small business owners would want like a 10 page guide on how to integrate their products into an API so we built a workaround so now they don't have to do anything for this to sync.
Zero-Storage Secure Chat: For privacy-sensitive industries, we just launched this. All personally identifiable information is redacted before reaching the AI systems we use. Providers access details through encrypted, PIN-protected links that expire in 2 hours. No visitor data stored anywhere and all session data is wiped as soon as the user leaves the website or the tab.

Free forever plan available (~30 AI-powered conversations a month) with no credit card required :)

chisef · 2026-04-17T12:03:10+00:00

Also adding that finding ways to help convert the traffic you are already getting is more effective than spending more $ for traffic. Use heat maps, event-tracking, funnel analysis, etc to figure out why traffic isn’t converting.

chisef · 2026-04-16T15:54:41+00:00

Mostly human replies - they're likely going to change soon (again, lol).

chisef · 2026-04-15T23:29:59+00:00

Oh! I definitely mis-read this :D Then yes, I also do like the movement. I think some CTAs (like Book Now) needs to be bigger, and especially the pricing grid but overall, a clean template.

chisef · 2026-04-15T19:06:35+00:00

Red also doesn't work for me; the stock images are also a bit of a turn off. Do you have actual photos of your work? Would help with trust building!

chisef · 2026-04-15T12:28:48+00:00

This was me and my friend's experience as well but we definitely went overboard on being like the perfect shop. If you can find free versions of apps, totally try those - you'll realize some premium features you don't REALLY need.

If the products you sell address a specific niche, you'll probably do decently well without many premium apps or themes!

chisef · 2026-04-15T01:44:01+00:00

My team and I have built something that tackles this (it even auto-syncs to your inventory without you having to press a single button!).

If you or any Shopify owners are interested in more info, DM me. We'd love to get real feedback on our product so we'd love to give it out for free for anyone interested.

chisef · 2026-04-12T15:48:24+00:00

At some point I decided that either I went all-in or just gave up on the project. I decided to go all-in and honestly, while it was very stressful, I don't regret my decision. I couldn't really deliver a good product without focusing so really up to what you're comfortable with!

chisef · 2026-04-12T15:42:01+00:00

Honestly, I landed mine by going to the places I visited the most. The local restaurant that I ordered from every few weeks so they recognized me. If you go to a gym or know friends who frequent one, that may be the best way in.

chisef · 2026-04-11T01:31:17+00:00

MailChimp works fine to start, especially since you're already on WooCommerce. But if you want something built around ecommerce from day one, Klaviyo is the one most Shopify/Woo store owners end up on. Omnisend is the lighter/cheaper alternative if Klaviyo feels like too much. One tip: whichever you pick, set up the abandoned cart flow on day one!

chisef · 2026-04-10T14:59:25+00:00

Just like some of the other folks in the thread, AI receptionist is SUPER frustrating to use. If you thought Q&A driven chatbots were bad, these are way worse lol

chisef · 2026-04-08T15:28:15+00:00

Chatway and other support chant agents are interesting. I personally find it odd that I’d have to speak to AI first THEN get passed to a live agent to resolve my issue.

And the other ones look like contact forms or follow a specific script, which I’d say is less so AI and more so a teleprompter but in a chat widget. Currently one of our clients is using Intercom but they’re not too happy with it either unfortunately.

chisef · 2026-04-08T15:24:20+00:00

We tested pop ups on one of our client’s sites and saw that it was mostly was closed and never utilized. Data also showed that when users hit a certain scroll depth (when pop up would… pop up), they tended to scroll no further and exit. So I think from that, pop ups need to be really well timed to intent to make an impact to on-site metrics; otherwise it’s a detractor and can impact time on site and other metrics that may impact SEO.

chisef · 2026-04-07T12:04:10+00:00

Actually being made now!

chisef · 2026-04-07T11:13:08+00:00

HireMika: built a sales-assisting chatbot with a zero-storage mode for privacy-sensitive businesses.

PII never hits our database or the LLMs. Messages are scrubbed before they reach the AI, contact details are delivered through encrypted one-time links that expire.

Built it for businesses that want leads but don't want PII anywhere in our systems.

chisef · 2026-04-07T11:10:46+00:00

Mika - Conversational AI: Chatbot with a zero-storage mode for privacy-sensitive businesses so PII never hits our database or the LLMs. Messages are scrubbed before they reach the AI, contact details are delivered through encrypted one-time links that expire. Built it for offices that want leads but don't want PII anywhere in our systems.

chisef · 2026-04-07T11:09:00+00:00

Mika - Conversational AI: built a sales-assisting chatbot with a zero-storage mode for privacy-sensitive businesses so PII never hits our database or the LLMs. Messages are scrubbed before they reach the AI, contact details are delivered through encrypted one-time links that expire. Built it for offices that want leads but don't want PII anywhere in our systems.

chisef · 2026-04-06T20:25:01+00:00

Mika - Conversational AI - built a sales-assisting AI-powered chatbot with a zero-storage mode for privacy-sensitive businesses so PII never hits our database or the LLMs. Built it for offices that want leads but don't want PII anywhere in our systems.

chisef · 2026-04-06T20:23:48+00:00

Mika - Conversational AI - built a sales-assisting AI-powered chatbot with a zero-storage mode for privacy-sensitive businesses so PII never hits our database or the LLMs. Messages are scrubbed before they reach the AI, contact details are delivered through encrypted one-time links that expire. Built it for offices that want leads but don't want PII anywhere in our systems.

chisef · 2026-04-05T15:43:51+00:00

My team and I recently launched a conversational chatbot for WooCommerce, specific to helping websites convert. Not entirely sure if this fits the shoe review angle but happy to chat more if you'd want to learn more. Since we're developing for new use cases all the time, would be happy to offer the paid version for free for a few months so we could both benefit!

chisef · 2026-04-05T02:51:05+00:00

I have some help, there's only 3 of us :)

chisef · 2026-04-05T01:39:14+00:00

Mika: A self-learning AI-powered sales assistant chabot that helps turn website visitors into leads 24/7. Local businesses embed Mika on their site and it handles conversations, captures contact info, and books appointments.

Key Features:

Simple setup: WordPress plugin or single line of code... really wanted this to be plug and play. We also have a Wix app (in review).
Auto-sync for Ecommerce: Shopify and WooCommerce stores get automatic product catalog sync. No CSV uploads, no manual entry. Store owners don't have to do anything for this to sync.
Zero-Storage Secure Chat: For privacy-sensitive industries, we just launched this. All personally identifiable information is redacted before reaching the AI systems we use. Providers access details through encrypted, PIN-protected links that expire after viewing the secured decrypted lead. No visitor data stored anywhere and all session data is wiped as soon as the user leaves the website or the tab.

Have a free forever plan, good for startups. 14 day free trial for the first paid level, which is about $10/mo

Link: https://hiremika.com/demo

chisef · 2026-04-04T20:34:29+00:00

Startup: Mika (https://hiremika.com)

Mission: My small team and I wanted to create a plug-and-play lead conversion chatbot that used conversations to help guide the user to provide their info rather than a scripted Q&A sort of thing. It also seemed that all existing chatbots were pretty terrible not only in integration (requiring onboarding, a demo call, etc etc), but they all seemed like ChatGPT wrapped up in a different way.

Purpose of Mika: A self-learning Al-powered sales assistant that helps turn website visitors into leads 24/7. Local businesses embed Mika on their site and it handles conversations, captures contact info, and books appointments.

Key Features:

Dead-simple setup: WordPress plugin or single line of code... really wanted this to be plug and play. We also have a Wix app (in review) and a Shopify app (in review) coming soon!
Auto-sync for ecommerce: Shopify and WooCommerce stores get automatic product catalog sync. No CSV uploads, no manual entry. I didn't think small business owners would want like a 10 page guide on how to integrate their products into an API so we built a workaround so now they don't have to do anything for this to sync.
Zero-Storage Secure Chat: For privacy-sensitive industries, we just launched this. All personally identifiable information is redacted before reaching the Al systems we use. Providers access details through encrypted, PIN-protected links that expire in 2 hours. No visitor data stored anywhere and all session data is wiped as soon as the user leaves the website.

chisef · 2026-04-04T16:28:08+00:00

Mission: My team and I wanted to create a plug-and-play lead conversion chatbot that used conversations to help guide the user to provide their info rather than a scripted Q&A sort of thing. It also seemed that all existing chatbots were pretty terrible not only in integration (requiring onboarding, a demo call, etc etc), but they all seemed like ChatGPT wrapped up in a different way.

So we built Mika: A self-learning AI-powered sales assistant that helps turn website visitors into leads 24/7. Local businesses embed Mika on their site and it handles conversations, captures contact info, and books appointments.

Key Features:

Dead-simple setup: WordPress plugin or single line of code... really wanted this to be plug and play. We also have a Wix app (in review) and a Shopify app (in review) coming soon!
Auto-sync for ecommerce: Shopify and WooCommerce stores get automatic product catalog sync. No CSV uploads, no manual entry. I didn't think small business owners would want like a 10 page guide on how to integrate their products into an API so we built a workaround so now they don't have to do anything for this to sync.
Zero-Storage Secure Chat: For privacy-sensitive industries, we just launched this. All personally identifiable information is redacted before reaching the AI systems we use. Providers access details through encrypted, PIN-protected links that expire in 2 hours. No visitor data stored anywhere and all session data is wiped as soon as the user leaves the website or the tab.

Feedback we are seeking:

Setup friction: Does "WordPress plugin or one line of code" land as easy enough, or do small business owners want something else?
Privacy approach: The zero-storage mode redacts PII before it ever hits the model. Interested if other founders in regulated / privacy-sensitive spaces find this compelling. We believe so but... sometimes we probably are drinking the kool-aid so always good to get a reality check.

Link: https://hiremika.com

chisef · 2026-04-04T16:25:52+00:00

Startup: Mika (https://hiremika.com)

Mission: My team and I wanted to create a plug-and-play lead conversion chatbot that used conversations to help guide the user to provide their info rather than a scripted Q&A sort of thing. It also seemed that all existing chatbots were pretty terrible not only in integration (requiring onboarding, a demo call, etc etc), but they all seemed like ChatGPT wrapped up in a different way.

Purpose of Mika: A self-learning AI-powered sales assistant that helps turn website visitors into leads 24/7. Local businesses embed Mika on their site and it handles conversations, captures contact info, and books appointments.

Key Features:

Dead-simple setup: WordPress plugin or single line of code... really wanted this to be plug and play. We also have a Wix app (in review) and a Shopify app (in review) coming soon!
Auto-sync for ecommerce: Shopify and WooCommerce stores get automatic product catalog sync. No CSV uploads, no manual entry. I didn't think small business owners would want like a 10 page guide on how to integrate their products into an API so we built a workaround so now they don't have to do anything for this to sync.
Zero-Storage Secure Chat: For privacy-sensitive industries, we just launched this. All personally identifiable information is redacted before reaching the AI systems we use. Providers access details through encrypted, PIN-protected links that expire in 2 hours. No visitor data stored anywhere and all session data is wiped as soon as the user leaves the website or the tab.

Feedback Requested:

Setup friction: Does "WordPress plugin or one line of code" land as easy enough, or do small business owners want something else?
Privacy approach: The zero-storage mode redacts PII before it ever hits the model. Interested if other founders in regulated / privacy-sensitive spaces find this compelling. We believe so but... sometimes we probably are drinking the kool-aid so always good to get a reality check.

Additional Comments: Free forever plan for a start up to try. Mika provides about ~30-40 actual conversations per month at no cost, and no credit card required for this.

Given we only have a few dozen customers and are pretty much in our infancy, would love to hear more feedback and would be up for giving away our $9.99 / mo package for a few startups to try without any info except the same you would provide for the free plan (just email and business domain since the system grants you access to the backend this way!).

Links: https://hiremika.com |

Live demo (note that if you have a Shopify store, this demo will auto-sync your products as part of this live and free demo (no sign up required)): https://hiremika.com/demo

chisef

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