Chatbots have gained greater traction since Facebook unveiled its bot developer platform for bot creation. Since then, numerous platforms have made tools available to businesses to build omnichannel bots for various uses, including increasing sales, generating leads, and improving customer service. Study predicts that 85% of companies will utilize chatbot automation in 2023; according to Research's forecast that the bot economy will reach approx $1.25 billion by 2025. The study's prediction that businesses automate their chatbots is likely accurate as Covid-19 sets to bring global healthcare delivery systems crashing down in March 2020 while other firms look for cost savings through automation solutions.
Building A Chatbot: Establishing Use Cases, Requirements, And Types Of Bots chatbot app development solutions can initially be daunting. Building one requires considering many elements, from strategy through conversational flows to technology tools and processes and reporting.
Before creating a chatbot, it is crucial that you identify what goals it will accomplish:
- What issue are you seeking to address through technology? Your use case defines this issue.
- What percentage of time have you and your team invested thus far in solving this problem? Using this data, calculate ROI.
- Will all or most of your processes be automated with bots, or will some human interaction still be required? Once this decision has been made, determine whether your platform allows users to switch back from chatbot mode to human interaction if required.
- Are you searching for a chatbot that can retrieve/push information from another system? In that case, focus your search on platforms offering pre-integrations.
Assemble a bot by analyzing your processes, understanding business goals, the goal of the chatbot itself, and designing an efficient conversation flow that takes inputs/outputs effectively.
Build Three Different Kinds Of Bots
- Rule Based Chatbots: Rule-based bots follow an already predetermined conversation flow that allows them to respond logically according to user inputs and choices, providing navigation buttons, menus, and carousels, answering any inquiries, and taking quizzes from users. Users find it simpler to interact with rule-based bots; users cannot pose their queries directly but must instead answer when asked by the bot, providing details like contact info or any relevant use case details (i.e., details provided to them when asked by it).
- AI Chatbots: AI chatbots use natural language processing (NLP) to understand sentence structure and then process this data, becoming better at answering questions over time. AI chatbots can understand the context of any question they ask and respond appropriately without simply repeating prewritten output texts designed by humans.
- Hybrid Chatbots: Hybrid chatbots combine AI- and rule-based functionality with live chat for a superior customer experience. In order to build one successfully - as in, being able to do both tasks well - one would need a strong background of programming knowledge (programming is important!). Furthermore, one must possess sufficient creativity to tailor content specifically for customers using multiple languages simultaneously and quickly adapt to new technology if it arises.
When Developing A Chatbot, The Following Steps Are Helpful
- AI chatbots: What are the benefits?
- What are the goals for building a chatbot?
- Chatbot Conversation Design.
- Build a chatbot with frameworks and development platforms (non-coding).
#1. AI-Based Chatbots: What Are The Opportunities?
You should understand the benefits of an AI-based bot before you build one. When deciding how to best apply Bot technologies in their business, it is important to consider which tasks can be automated and augmented with Artificial Intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence can be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Work Complexity.
- Data Complexity.
The dual analysis of data complexity and work complexity leads to four types of primary activity models:
- Efficiency.
- You can also contact us for more information.
- Effectiveness.
- Innovation.
Also, see Our Successful Bot Strategies For Your Company for more details regarding a framework for identifying chatbot opportunities and their implementation within companies. Designers of chatbots will find it easier to engage their chatbot in conversation if they understand why it was created.
#2. Understanding Customer Goals
Being clear on why the customer desires a bot and their desired goals helps the designer craft conversations to reach those end goals more successfully. Understanding why someone builds something helps designers better engage the conversation that ensues once created with it - such as developing bot conversations based on this knowledge alone!
#3. Chatbot Conversation Design
This blog can help you design a chatbot interaction. "How Can You Design Conversation With Chatbots."Chatbots can be divided into unstructured and structured interactions; structured types use menus, options, and forms, while unstructured ones rely on text-based responses instead of logic-driven decision trees to convey meaning to their users. Unstructured conversations are unscripted plaintext conversations among friends, family members, colleagues, or acquaintances and may include conversations via chat rooms and instant messenger services like Telegram. In the future, scripts for such messages may be developed accordingly. When creating scripts for messages sent by chatbots, designers should ensure the topics of conversation align with their purpose and user responses are accurately interpreted to craft effective dialogues that can be implemented into conversational interfaces. They may also try to focus on conversations between fewer participants that are easier to manage and those where more can communicate naturally among themselves.
#4. Building A Chatbot Using Frameworks And Development Platforms (Non-Coding)
We mainly used Chatfuel and API.ai for developing chatbots without using code; alternative solutions may include Motion.ai Chatty People and Botsify as options to consider.
The Most Powerful Chatbot Development Platforms To Build A Chatbot For Your Business
Each list provides details such as its features, pros/cons, pricing structure, and technical expertise required when building chatbots.
#1. WotNot
WotNot, the world's leading chatbot platform, allows users to develop intelligent bots for use across 16 industries and offers conversational marketing solutions tailored specifically for them. Your chatbot can be built easily using their no-code builder with its drag-and-drop interface, or you can utilize their existing templates before quickly customizing before going live. WotNot provides the perfect combination - bot and live chat technology that helps accelerate sales and customer service, with human intervention when necessary. WotNot's platform makes for fast bot implementation.
Features
- You can build bots with no code using a drag-and-drop interface.
- When required, the chatbot-to-human handover feature allows an agent to join the conversation.
- Chatbot Analytics gives you a bird's-eye view of your bot's performance. KPIs include top countries, intentions, average conversation length, and more.
- Chatbot conversations can be saved on the backend and sent to the sales and support teams in real time.
Pros
- Supports multiple channels, including SMS, WhatsApp, websites, and mobile apps.
- Unlimited messages and conversations.
- Integrations with Shopify, WordPress, Slack, and more.
Cons
- The maximum number of bots per account is 10.
Pricing
Users can explore the platform for 14 days. WotNot has a flat-price plan that includes all features for $99/month or $949 annually approx.
Expert Tip
WotNot provides a managed service that builds your bot. Monitor its analytics for insights and A/B tests different chatbot flows to increase conversions.
#2. Intercom
Intercom offers an assortment of customer support products. They specialize in custom chatbots to address unique sales, marketing, and support scenarios while being easily integrated with eCommerce platforms and social media channels account and offering live chat support services.
Features
- You can design a bot without any coding.
- Start conversations with each qualified lead using advanced targeting.
Pros
- You can incorporate conversations from social media into a CRM.
- Quality, personalized assistance at the scale.
Cons
- No free version is available.
- It is difficult to create a bot with a UI that is complex.
Pricing
Plans start at $499/month approx and include ten seats. If you are a heavy user, you will have to pay a higher price.
Expert Tip
Leverage Intercom to create an engaging conversational experience for all customers without overburdening your team.
#3. Drift Chatbot
Drift began out offering live chat, then later evolved to offer chatbots as they have recently done now with Drift's release of its booking meetings for sales teams through chatbots such as Drift's Drift Bot. Their bot allows conversations with website visitors without forms, qualifies and schedules them, and schedules and identifies sales reps to schedule meetings with. Drift's chatbot has garnered many rave reviews due to its exceptional performance, so reading reviews for Drift will indicate its benefits in helping businesses enhance lead qualification processes and book meetings more efficiently.
Features
- Engagement of people on the website immediately - increasing the likelihood that interested people will share their contact details.
- Chatbots and Livechat go together.
Pros
- Integrations of all kinds.
- Real-time communication is possible.
- Drift Automation helps you answer questions faster.
Cons
- Push notifications are not a great way to clarify conversations in the mobile app.
- The pricing model is costly.
Pricing
The free plan covers only the live chat. The plan costs $400/month approx (billed annually), which includes chatbots and live chat.
Expert Tip
Use Drift playbooks to develop a bot that helps increase the business pipeline and book more meetings.
#4. Landbot.io
Landbot is an intuitive tool designed to allow users to build AI-powered or rule-based bots that seamlessly engage their target customers and prospects. At any point, humans may take control and restart conversation from within Landbot itself.
Features
- Create a chatbot in a matter of seconds with a drag-and-drop interface.
- You can create dialog flows and test your chatbots with no code. It also allows you to integrate it with other apps and tools.
- Brand your chatbots to make them more personal.
Pros
- Free version available.
- Easy to use.
- Several integrations available.
- Create chatbots that work on multiple platforms.
Cons
- Only the paid plan offers integrations.
- Limitation on the number of conversations.
Pricing
You can choose from free, paid, and customized plans. Plans start at 30 EUR/month.
Expert Tip
Landbot can meet all your business needs as an independent or small-sized enterprise owner, including learning how to provide memorable customer experiences through content and blogs from them.
#5. LivePerson
LivePerson provides an AI-powered chatbot development solutions and deployment platform featuring advanced analytics for intent detection and continuous optimization of chatbots.
Features
- You can create custom statements and send them in chat.
- It is intuitive for new users and employees.
- Features like hyperlinks, canned answers, etc., help to offer a better customer experience. Help in providing a better experience for customers.
Pros
- Easy to Use.
- Communication flexibility.
- Live chat is convenient and offers a rich range of features.
Cons
- It's a bit difficult to understand how to report.
- When there is a lot of data, the program becomes slow.
- No free trial.
Pricing
Pricing is determined by the extent of automation and the number of communication channels. On their website, you can request a demo and get more information.
Expert Tip
To achieve maximum benefit from any solution, ensure a comprehensive understanding of its use cases.
#6. Bold360
Bold360, one of the more widely-used bot solutions, utilizes natural language processing technology to increase customer service agent's efficiency. Conversations from the Bold360 chatbot may switch over directly to an agent at any point during conversational engagements or switch back.
Features
- Patented NLP can understand customer intent without keyword matching.
- Different customer engagement tools, HR and IT internal network systems, APIs, SDKs, etc.
Pros
- Platform with many features.
- Tightly integrated Live Agent.
- Quick and easy human handoff.
Cons
- The platform is not visually appealing.
- The pricing strategy is haphazard.
- Outdated UI/UX.
Pricing
Online pricing information is unavailable. You will need to call them directly to get a quote.
Expert Tip
Leverage the platform to expand conversations across new digital channels, such as chatbots and messaging in over 40 languages.
Read More: What makes your Chatbot Development services better than others?
#7. Octane AI
Octane AI makes it simple and seamless to integrate a Shopify chatbot through Facebook Messenger, providing customers with automatic answers for questions they pose as they shop, including receipts and shipping info, and helping them find products they like.
Features
- Easy FAQ handling and automated workflows.
- The analytics interface will help you to understand the behavior of your customers.
- Voice, image, and video support for templates, notifications, surveys, and quick-starts, as well as voice, survey, and notification support.
Pros
- It offers integrations with Slack as well as Nexmo and Facebook Messenger.
- Support for notifications of abandoned carts and shipping information.
Cons
- It takes some time to get used to the complex interface and UX.
- Only Messenger.
Pricing
A free 14-day trial is available. For basic plans, plans start at $9/month and $209/month approx for pro plans.
Expert Tip
Create conversational Messenger ads to rapidly acquire customers.
#8. Flow XO
This intuitive platform makes bot creation straightforward: no programming knowledge is necessary! Build and deploy bots across platforms while seamlessly integrating them with third-party services for an effortless experience.
Features
- Integration with many 3rd-party tools.
- Drag and Drop Editor.
- Multi-channel support.
Pros
- Try it for free.
- No technical knowledge required.
Cons
- A lack of good technical documentation.
Pricing
While you are only permitted to use the free version for up to 500 interactions, paying approx $19/month gives access to 5000 interactions; an upgrade option of adding another 25,000 interactions at $25/month approx and five extra bots can also be made available at an extra $10 monthly subscription cost approx.
Expert Tip
Before going live with your bot, ensure it has been thoroughly tested using its built-in simulator. This will enable you to quickly detect any discrepancies while creating a seamless user experience for them.
#9. ManyChat
ManyChat bots provide sales, marketing, and customer service capabilities on Messenger; you can even broadcast to all subscribers in bulk using Messenger!
Features
- Facebook Messenger Marketing Tools to Engage Your Audience.
- No code drag-and-drop bot builder.
- Messenger broadcasting for better engagement.
Pros
- Integrate with Stripe and Zapier as well as Shopify.
- Easy onboarding with multiple tutorials.
- Templates ready to use.
Cons
- Restricted only to Facebook Messenger.
Pricing
Pricing can range between free and paid options; paid plans start from approx $10/month per 500 subscribers, while another can go as high as approx $145 per month with over 25,000 users subscribed to an account.
Expert Tip
Automating Messenger audience engagement based on triggers will streamline the bot-building process for you.
#10. Botsify
Botsify is an easy and straightforward bot builder that lets users quickly build bots for websites, Messenger chat, and Slack channels with templates available and features a seamless transition from automated chatbot to real agent chatting sessions.
Features
- Multi-channel support.
- Chatbots to humans can be switched.
- Create conversational forms.
Pros
- Integration with 3rd-party tools.
Cons
- The platform has a steep learning slope.
Pricing
Pricing on services begins with a 14-day free trial followed by a $50/month approx a standard plan where all work can be handled yourself; fully managed services begin at approx $300/month for those wanting that option.
Expert Tip
Integrate a chatbot into Slack or Google Sheets to take full advantage of its conversational forms and better manage generated leads.
#11. Chatfuel
Chatfuel is another chatbot exclusively available through Facebook Messenger that utilizes NLP technology to analyze intents and utterances before providing predefined responses. Chatfuel stands out by remembering user data so they can contact their friends whenever desired.
Features
- Management of Action and Activities.
- Chatbot Analytics and 3rd-Party Integration.
Pros
- Supports 50 languages.
Cons
- Poor documentation process.
Pricing
You can use our platform for free up to 50 times. Pro Plans start from approx $15/month, while Premium plans can include unlimited bots and up to 30,000 users in their package.
Expert Tip
Utilize the network extractor for quickly mapping keywords users will recognize and initiate actions easily and seamlessly.
#12. Pandorabots
Pandorabots provides an AI-driven chatbot development platform and turnkey solutions and is widely known for being one of the oldest and largest chat hosting services worldwide. Pandorabots requires some coding knowledge; its multilingual platform offers ample room for flexibility; therefore, if your team of engineers has some coding ability, they could create custom bots with limitless possibilities - Pandorabots was among the first platforms listed!
Features
- Completely voice-enabled.
- Multilingual support.
- Multi-channel support.
Pros
- Available RESTful APIs.
- You can download and understand your code.
Cons
- Code expertise is required.
- The free version has limited features.
Pricing
Pricing can be complicated when creating chatbots; free options exist as well as paid ones; in either instance, creating one costs between $19/per month approx for developer version chatbots and approx $199 per month if using pro versions.
Expert Tip
Before choosing a paid plan, it is wise to establish what features are most critical to you and your usage needs.
#13. BotsCrew
BotsCrew is an increasingly popular chatbot platform for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Offering both managed service and the capability for creating bots of your own on its platform. At present, this platform offers bots in multiple languages for Facebook Messenger, website widgets, and other platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, and Telegram on demand - meaning your bot will always remain accessible across them all without duplicating itself across each one.
Features
- Chatbots without code development.
- A user-friendly and intuitive platform.
- Omnichannel support.
Pros
- Conversation design is a service.
- Support & maintenance that is robust.
Cons
- No mobile app support.
- Limitation of integration.
Pricing
There is no free version of the site, and subscription plans begin at $600/month depending on how intricate it is. BotsCrew's chatbot platform begins at approx $600.00 monthly; however, prices may differ based on desired integrations, features, and customizations. Setup fees typically range between $3000-$5000.
Expert Tip
Build your bot around an application where deployment across various channels will be necessary; then take advantage of Botscrew's multi-channel features to your benefit.
#14. Aivo
AivoBot provides robust customer service capabilities by engaging directly with your customers via text and voice, real-time interactions. They can be programmed to respond effectively across channels and rules for optimal interaction with each client. Aivo AgentBot costs approx $240 for one monthly session of 1,000 sessions; additional 100 sessions cost approx $26 each and include the 30-day free trial period.
Features
- Voice functionality allows for a quick reply.
- Business intelligence tools offer detailed analytics.
- More than 50 languages are available for customer service.
Pros
- Support through multiple channels.
- Integrations with Salesforce.com, Zendesk, and Zapier.
Cons
- No free version is available.
Pricing
Free demo available. The monthly cost of the paid version is approx $240 and covers approximately 1,000 sessions. For 100 additional sessions, you will need to pay approx $26 more.
Expert Tip
With your bot's training, you can help it understand customer preferences as the platform gathers its unanswered queries.
How To Choose The Right Chatbot Platform
Now that we've described various platforms and have provided additional factors that should make selecting an ideal tool to develop chatbots easier for you, let us provide guidance for selecting an ideal tool to meet your development requirements best chatbot solution 2023.
Identify Your Use Cases
First and foremost, ask yourself why and for what purpose a chatbot would serve best in your organization. Likewise, think through its benefits. Understanding your specific use case will allow you to better determine what features, platforms, integrations, and pricing a chatbot offers you. Furthermore, B2C chatbots differ significantly due to the platforms used, the features included, and the pricing structures offered.
Integrations
Integrated chatbot platforms will produce optimal results, as you are automating not just answers but actions. Hubspot or Salesforce should show all leads generated from chatbot conversations directly in Hubspot or Salesforce, allowing for a seamless transition into stage two conversations instead of spending valuable time qualifying them first. Before selecting a platform, ensure it will allow your existing marketing tech stacks and workflows to integrate without disruption or delays.
Natural Language And AI Capabilities
Chatbots have become so attractive to customers due to their intuitive nature and AI abilities, making them extremely user-friendly. If this is your first bot deployment, NLP doesn't need to be your sole focus; opt for a platform with both NLP and AI capabilities to extend its use case over time. Chatbot platforms must learn various intents, entities, and utterances to provide appropriate answers, keep context alive and complete tasks smoothly.
Training
When selecting a chatbot platform, its capability of being trained to become increasingly intelligent is significant. Organizations need a human-independent chatbot that supports continuous learning based on machine learning and semantic modeling technology.
Pricing
Most chatbot platforms utilize a mix of pay-per-call, monthly license fees, and pay-per-performance models when setting their prices. Opt for one which meets these criteria - one which provides savings and lets you determine your bills according to whether or not goals have been accomplished.
To Conclude
Before making a definitive choice, one should carefully weigh all aspects and use cases before deciding. These 14 chatbot platforms have led the market for quite some time now. Chatbots have become an essential asset to the business, offering 24/7 access and saving extra customer service representatives' salaries from being required. Chatbots will soon become part of business life. Every enterprise should plan to incorporate one, and with so many platforms available now, it should not be difficult. A chatbot-driven revolution may soon emerge!
CISIN has been designing custom chatbots for many years to meet our client's needs. Our conversation designers and chatbot developers have worked with startups at early stages, SMBs, and Enterprises across 16 industries - each time crafting natural dialogue that adds an authentic flavor to business interactions. At Chatbot Solutions, our chatbot development services process considers your target audience's specific needs and wants - we would be more than pleased to provide free consultation services to chatbots development solution company!
