What is a Chatbot?

A chatbot is a computer program that allows you to chat automatically with potential customers. This is done via a chat box.

What is a chatbot?

A chatbot is a marketing tool that can be used for various purposes, namely for generating leads, using storytelling, sharing valuable information, and using advertisements.

What can it all help you with? First of all, it can help you to make orders. Orders can be taken from the chat. In addition, it offers support to customers by being able to answer their questions 24/7. Third, it can schedule meetings by linking it to Google Calendar. A chatbot can also track your orders. Finally, it can share news and updates. This way you can stay in touch with customers and keep them engaged.

With a 7-step plan you can get started with chatbots. Start by defining the goal and defining the tasks. Ask yourself what the bot should be able to do and how it can help your customers. Then you will train by collecting as many examples as possible. The bot learns to understand what you mean. In the third step you will determine the business rules. You show where the bot can get the information from and when it should ask for additional information. This keeps you in control of what it does. Then you will enrich it with a link to external systems. With these external systems, user-friendliness is increased because more information is available to answer customer questions. In step 5 you will generate answers that look at both the historical data and the own answers that are entered. Then you test. It is important that you take the time to make it so successful. Finally, the chatbot can be launched.

Advantages

A chatbot offers many advantages for an organization. These benefits are as follows:

• Saves time and money;
• Helps segment traffic;
• Provides rapid response;
• Speeds up the payment process;
• Fits any business;
• Increases engagement;
• Provides data to perform analytics.

Disadvantages

A chatbot also has a number of disadvantages, namely:

• Deception;
• Frustration;
• Costs;
• Spelling errors;

Chatbot examples

HelloFresh provides suggestions for a meal with the chatbot. They do this by asking a number of simple questions in which you must indicate your preferences. Based on these preferences, the bot selects a number of meals from which you can then choose.

KLM uses a chatbot to download flight tickets quickly and easily.

Tips

Do you want to ensure a good chatbot? Then follow the tips below!

• Discover your organization’s frequently asked questions;
• Build specific conversation tunnels;
• Test your chatbots;
• Make your bots stand out;
• Get permission to share news;
• Ask for data;
• Promote your bots.