Enhancing E-commerce Platforms through MERN Stack and AI- Chatbot Integration

Abstract

This research presents the development of a full-stack e-commerce website using the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) with integrated AI capabilities. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, this system features a built-in AI-powered chatbot developed using Botpress, allowing users to ask product-related queries and receive instant responses directly within the site. The frontend is built using React and Tailwind CSS for a responsive UI/UX, while the backend employs Node.js and Express.js with MongoDB as the database. Key functionalities include JWT-based user authentication, admin panel features like AI-based text summarization and image generation, and real-time customer interaction via the chatbot workflow system. Security measures such as hashed passwords and token verification are implemented for data protection. The project was developed independently without mentorship, enhancing the developer’s problem-solving skills through self-learning and practical experimentation. It demonstrates how AI can be effectively integrated into web platforms to improve user engagement and administrative efficiency. Future improvements include AI-driven product recommendations, voice search, and a more intelligent chatbot to further enrich the shopping experience.