We know that the idea of using chatbots for some can be a bit intimidating, due to its apparent complexity, or not very useful if they do not know how to take advantage of them. After all, it is true that some virtual assistants are very helpful, but others are not.
In the subsequent guide, we will teach you to take advantage of chatbots for the incredible tool they are: Assistants capable of taking on time-consuming tasks and whose effort offers the possibility of providing a better service from other angles. Before knowing how valuable virtual assistants
have become, it is important to know what they are, beyond the idea of having been created to make our lives easier.
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What Are Chatbots?
Chatbots are programs designed to automatically handle received messages. Bots can be programmed to answer a specific question in a certain way , deliver messages containing specific keywords, or even use machine learning to adapt their responses according to the scenario they face ( Artificial Intelligence).
These virtual assistants take advantage of chat media such as portal chat pop-ups and messaging services through stages such as Facebook and Twitter to receive and respond to messages.
The popular social network, Facebook, has offered important information about bots aim at business:
- 2 billion messages are sent among people and brands.
- 56 % of people would rather send messages than call customers.
- And 53% choose to buy from a business where they can exchange messages.
Bots, despite not being a completely new tool, have attracted quite a bit of attention in recent years. Data from Google Trends shows that the search volume related to chatbots has grown 19 times as many more people and businesses have discovered their value.
The Value Of Chatbots
One of the ways a business can stay competitive in this rapidly changing world is to automate as many processes as possible .
The value of chatbots comes from their ability to automate conversations in an organization. Below, learn about the top 5 benefits businesses receive from using a bot .
1. They save time and money
By automating conversations that would otherwise necessitate a human to answer, organizations will save time and money that can be paid on other efforts .
Before you have your team concentrating on answering incoming questions, those people can redirect their energy to other, more complex activities that require their attention.
The amount of time you will save will increase as the percentage of incoming messages increases. And since the number of messages requiring a response from a brand increased by 18% from 2015 to 2016 alone , you’ll save countless hours automating responses with a chatbot.
2. Generate revenue and leads
The bots use direct messages to collect the necessary information to provide effective support . For example, asking users why they are visiting your page is a question that is likely to be ask in every interaction.
Automating this initial interaction allows operators to share the information necessary for the bot to better serve them without the need for a human to request it.
3. They guide users to better results
Customers don’t always know wherever to go to find the information that interests them. In fact, they may not even know what they’re interest in. Maybe they heard your company name in passing and decided to explore. By asking a series of qualifying questions, you direct users to the best place for them to find the information they want.
Ponder some of the questions that will give your visitor the best possible solution . These questions vary depending on the type of business, but among the most common:
- What problem are you trying to solve? .
- What are your goals? .
- Where are you? .
- Would you like to receive support? .
Imagine a global organization like an airline. Between departure locations, arrival locations, potential upgrades, and a plethora of places to buy tickets, there are an almost endless number of combinations to buy.
By personalizing the questions a chatbot asks. These airlines direct customers to the best way to shop and create a better user experience. This seamless user experience makes the arduous process of planning a trip much easier for both the user and the business.
4. They provide support 24 hours a day
The most popular use of chatbots is to provide quick responses in an emergency . However, organizations that do not offer 24-hour support will not respond when the office is close.
By using a qualified chatbot, when your business is close. Customers get access to the information they need outside of office hours . This is especially important as consumers expect a quicker response than brands can guarantee. According to analysts and experts, customers expect a response between 0-4 hours. However, brands often take more hours to respond .
Chatbots help you significantly decrease the average response time, bringing it closer to the expectations of its customers.
5. They engage users in a unique way
Traditionally, customer inquiries to business were made via email or phone, making the user experience fairly standard and unpersonal. However, chatbots offer a new, fun and interactive way to engage with brands .
Now that you know the value that a chatbot can bring to your business. Moreover it’s up to you to take the next step and invest in your first virtual assistant.