Have you heard the term Chatbot? It may be, but even if you have not heard it, chances are you have stumbled across one on the Internet, as they are quite a useful tool to help Business Online automate much of its Marketing and customer service actions.

In itself, it is not a too complicated tool, and, in addition to those already mentioned, it can have a large number of uses, depending on what the objectives you want to achieve in your company are.

Also, what makes them an excellent tool is its versatility and the benefits it brings you when it comes to improving the experience you give users of your website.

In this article, I want to tell you everything you need to know about them, from what exactly is a chatbot (in case you are one of those who do not yet know it), what they are for and even how you can create them through some of the best Apps that exist today.

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Table Of Content

What Exactly is a Chatbot For?

How Does A Chatbot Work, And What Types Are There?

The 5 Best Apps And Platforms With Which To Create Your Own Chatbot

1. Chatfuel
2. Microsoft Bot Framework
3. Telegram Bot API
4. MobileMonkey
5. Wit.ai

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What is a Chatbot?

Chatbot means something like “chat robot,” which, although this translation does not make much sense, is precisely what we mean: a type of “robot” that is capable of chatting and interacting with specific users, that is, you can both receive and send messages to them.

To be a little more technical with its definition, it is an Artificial Intelligence program that we, as Webmasters, configured to respond to our audience when they enter our website or any specific chat room.

Regarding the latter, you can find the main social networks in the market, from WhatsApp conversations and groups, Facebook Messenger, and even streaming platforms such as Twitch. This, of course, includes Blogs, Websites, and online stores, as I have mentioned before.

Unquestionably you have already come across one of them: an example maybe when you enter a company page, and a chat window appears with an automatic message.

These are usually a chatbot where you can ask your questions quickly and directly, while a customer service employee contacts you.

As a curious fact, the responsiveness of one can vary greatly depending on the company’s need that implements it, from responding to simple messages or queries to making reservations without the need to involve any company employee.

This last example is common in huge hotel chains, which usually have large numbers of customers and need to streamline their service processes.

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What Exactly is a Chatbot For?

I already mentioned that the capacity of this type of software could vary depending on the company that implements it and its needs.

But, what benefits can be given to these programs with artificial intelligence? Here are some examples:

1. Customer Service

The first function and the main reason it is a good idea to create one for your business and include it in your Digital Marketing plan is this.

If there is a problem that humans deal with day by day, it is the lack of time to do all our daily activities and tasks, and in a company or business, the same thing happens.

Unfortunately, we don’t always have enough time to serve all of our clients when they write to us, and it is precisely at this point where the Chatbot shows its primary usefulness.

The type of response that a chatbot can give varies a lot depending on the type and purpose for which it was created.

However, in general, they can at least respond with a programmed message or act by default in certain situations, whether it is a click, a received message, or simply enter our website.

Whichever type you use, your clients will have a way to contact your business through them or, at least, they will know that you will attend them shortly.

2. Community Management

Another excellent utility that these programs have is that of managing a community or group chat. Again, we don’t always have enough time to devote all our attention to a single activity, except for a long time.

For this activity, we need to be 100% attentive to the conversation if someone commits a violation.

This particular case is quite common on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or the like.

In this type of streaming platform, a chat is usually available for live broadcasts. Managing this chat during a broadcast can be quite a difficult task, especially when the audience is continuously growing.

At these times, a tool of this caliber comes in handy, as it helps you manage the community and sanction those people who break the rules automatically.

3. It Is A Channel To Send Information Or Announcements Of New Content

Depending on the medium in which the Chatbot is used, it can become a channel to send news, notifications of new content, or even implement Outbound Marketing strategies.

It is usually mainly useful for social networks such as Facebook groups, which are much more common and crowded than a personal profile or page.

In a way, it could be said that they are an excellent method to send newsletters from other external channels to email.

4. Make A Sale

Chatbot technology and Artificial Intelligence, in general, have advanced so much that it is now possible to make sales without even “interacting” with the customer.

Thus, it is necessary to create a more elaborate chatbot and with much more programming in between.

However, today it is possible to make sales through these conversational robots.

Does It Look Like Science Fiction?

It may be, but the truth is that some of the largest hotel chains are taking advantage of it. I mentioned before that chatbots are being used to answer customer queries and even to make reservations.

This allows you to get an idea of ​​how advanced this technology is and that the customer service area’s uses are quite a few.

5. As A Guide In Your Store

Some chatbots can be used as a filter when searching for a specific product in a store, somewhat like a cataloging guide.

These types of programs usually ask a series of questions and then offer groups of products based on customers’ answers.

They are a way to improve the user experience while enhancing the navigability of the website.

Some are even capable of creating products or service packages based on customer needs.

6. As A Host At Meetings Or Events

A rather exciting utility that these types of programs have is serving as a host in events and congresses, or even in small meetings.

They are capable of digital scheduling meetings, but they can even serve as mediators. Some can also stay in constant contact with guests, offering information, or solving queries regarding the event, while others keep entertaining guests during breaks.

It does not even have to be a digital meeting or event, and it is because, thanks to mobile technology, it is possible to have one of these programs in WhatsApp or Facebook conversations, so even if it were face-to-face events, it is still viable count on the continuous assistance of these robots.

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How Does A Chatbot Work, And What Types Are There?

Now that you know what a chatbot is and how it can be useful to you both for your online store and in other areas of your professional life, it is time to explain its operation.

I have already told you that they are programs, and as such, they are a set of code lines that give you specific programming, that is, orders of what you have to do.

However, it remains true that only with pre-programmed behavior, it is impossible to carry out all they can.

Therefore, to go further, we must resort to “Machine Learning” and Artificial Intelligence.

Of course, the main difference between the two is how they operate and how they can fulfill their functions, which is to interact with users.

I. Default Answer Chatbots

They are those that are programmed to respond to certain “stimuli. “

The complexity of the response and the stimuli to which they can respond vary considerably depending on the objective they have been created and the time and effort invested in doing so.

Some of them are only capable of sending prerecorded messages when clicking on or entering certain areas of the Web; others can respond to specific keywords or questions, while more advanced ones are capable of responding to phrases a bit. More complex.

Of course, this limit is offset by its ease of implementation and because it is tremendously affordable and can still go a long way in your business.

II. Chatbots with Artificial Intelligence

Those who have AI technology implemented are the real wonder since they can have conversations with users, answering questions, queries, and messages in general as if they were someone else.

The best thing is that thanks to Machine Learning, one of these robots with artificial intelligence is capable of learning and improving, having increasingly fluid conversations, and responding more quickly and efficiently to users who make a query on your website.

This particular type requires more work to create it. However, they are much more rewarding, and the usefulness that it has goes far beyond basic customer service when they enter your page.

Explained this second type, these are the two main types that exist today, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

Don’t worry if you don’t have one with AI in your business; the important thing is to adapt to your needs and works precisely as you need.

And speaking of which, have you thought about creating a chatbot for your business?
Well, it’s not a bad time to try.

If you feel like it, you can try some of these tools that I suggest below:

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The 5 Best Apps And Platforms With Which To Create Your Own Chatbot

To end this article, I want to show you some digital tools to create them, among all those currently on the market.

Many of these are very versatile and easy to use, so you will not have any problems when creating your own conversational robot; you do not even have to worry about managing programming languages ​​correctly.

1. Chatfuel

Let’s start with the one that is quite simple and quick to use; it is Chatfuel and beware, not because it is easy to use; it is one of the worst, not at all.

It is one of the leading companies in creating Chatbot and focuses mainly on software for Facebook Messenger.

It is a complete tool and will allow you to create your own automation in just over 10 minutes.

Many large companies in the world use this tool to get an idea of ​​its effectiveness.

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2. Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft is one of the leaders in artificial intelligence research, making it impossible to ignore this company when it comes to chatbots. The clearest example is the Microsoft Bot Framework.

It is an intuitive service brought by this company, which allows you to create your own bot with impeccable quality.

The best thing is that you do not require a high degree of instruction in code or programming languages, it is easy to use, and just by following the instructions given by the program, you will have a very professional and high-quality chatbot.

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3. Telegram Bot API

If your objective is to create a chatbot for Telegram, you do not have to go to third-party Apps, since Telegram itself offers support for creating these bots.

It is very easy, and you can create them for different tasks, so I invite you to look at the Telegram Bot API section of their website.

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4. MobileMonkey

MobileMonkey is one of the leading platforms for creating chatbots that are currently on the Internet.

It has an incredible variety of advantages and benefits. It allows you to unify different communication channels in one place, to chat with your customers at any time and on any platform.

Its creation system is quite intuitive and complete so that you can create your own in no time, with no idea of ​​programming.

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5. Wit.ai

To finish, I want to recommend Wit.ai, it is a platform focused on automation, and not just conversations or customer service, but much more.

This tool offers you all kinds of new functionalities, it even helps you automate your home and that your devices understand you when you talk to them, so you can turn off the lights just by asking.

It is quite complete and exciting, and without a doubt, one of the most professional; And don’t worry, even Wit.ai works so that those without prior knowledge can take advantage of it.

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Conclusion

As you have been able to verify, knowing what a chatbot is and, also, knowing how to create one for your own project is a weapon that you could use in your favour and overthrow your competition, if they do not yet use it both to serve their customers and to perform various tasks.

You have already seen the large number of utilities it presents, so I would think about it to scaling your project and making it much more automatic.