Chatbots are computer programs that interact with users through a chat interface. Using a chatbot is as simple as having a conversation with someone. Users can ask them questions or give them orders, and they will offer answers or take action. Chatbots can be installed in almost all chat applications, including Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and on Websites and Mobile Apps.
The fastest way to implement a functional chatbot on a website is by opting for a chatbot platform. By using a platform you have the option of loading prebuilt chatbots with template responses and scripts to automate lead generation or support tasks. A web chatbot comes into play when all service reps are busy or unavailable, to offer support to website users 24/7, 7 days a week.
The configuration of a chatbot can be easily adjusted in the backend of the platform, so it only takes a few minutes to create and integrate a chatbot on the website.
A chatbot on your website also greets customers and starts a conversation as soon as they receive a message. Depending on your preferences, you can configure the chatbot to generate leads, open support tickets, qualify customers and even make sales through credit cards or PayPal.
1. Choose your chatbot platform
Designing a chatbot from scratch can be difficult if you don’t have the knowledge and resources to do so. Fortunately, there are different platforms and applications that will allow you to design bots for web pages through templates and other resources quickly and easily, with varying degrees of complexity. For example, ChatCompose is one of the most complete chatbot platforms on the market, and very easy to use.
To get started with ChatCompose read their guide to create web chatbots here.
2. Initial configuration
Setting up and installing your bot on your website is very easy too. It is a procedure that will take only a few minutes.
Within a platform, it is possible to configure the name of your bot, create the initial message that it will give to users on your website and the graphic design of the chatbot (icons, colors, etc.).
3. Setup the use case of your chatbot
After choosing a platform to work with, you have to think about what you want your chatbot to do.
It is important that you decide if you want it for customer service, to inform them about prices and services, to make purchases or order food, etc. The truth is that the possibilities of chatbots in the business world and on web pages are endless, but being clear about what you want your chatbot to do before you start designing it will make the process easier and the path will be clearer to follow.
4. Train your chatbot with answers
An chatbot trained to answer frequently asked questions can help users by quickly resolving their queries. These chatbots have some of the common queries listed so that users can get answers immediately. It will also save you the time of having to reply to dozens of questions personally.
5. Test and Improve
This point will have to be repeated over and over again throughout the design process. Most platforms allow you to test the responses and scripts before you publish your chatbot on your website. Make sure you test the chatbot for some common scenarios and queries so it can automate some of your support and sales tasks.
Chatbots require continuous improvement, so also make sure you keep adding new scripts and answers after you deploy it on your website.
You can check the conversations of the chatbot to get new ideas of new tasks and frequently asked questions.
6. Installation on your website
Once the chatbot is configured and trained, the next thing is to install it. Depending on your website or CMS you can install the chatbot manually by adding a few lines or code, or you can install a plugin.
Chatbots on websites are a very useful service, especially considering that most people visit websites from their smartphones. If these Smartphone users had to navigate your site too much to find the option you are looking for, you will most likely lose them along the way. A chatbot has the ability to engage them instantly and offer them solutions in a few seconds.
