Frequently Asked Questions about Chatbots
Chatbots are computer programs that simulate conversations with human beings through text or voice messages, using artificial intelligence and natural language processing techniques. Chatbots have multiple applications in various sectors, such as marketing, customer service, education or health. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about chatbots and their benefits.
What types of chatbots exist?
Chatbots can be classified according to their level of complexity, their form of interaction or their purpose. According to their level of complexity, they can be distinguished between:
Rule-based chatbots:
They are the simplest and are based on a predefined set of rules and answers. They can only answer specific questions and cannot handle queries outside their scope.
Machine learning-based chatbots:
They are more advanced and are based on algorithms that learn from data and interactions with users. They can answer more varied and complex questions, and adapt to the context and preferences of the user.
According to their form of interaction, they can be distinguished between:
Text chatbots: They are the most common and communicate with the user through written messages. They can be integrated into different platforms, such as websites, social networks or messaging applications.
Voice chatbots: They are less common and communicate with the user through spoken messages. They can be integrated into devices such as smart speakers, mobile phones or virtual assistants.
According to their purpose, they can be distinguished between:
Informational chatbots: These are the ones that provide the user with information on a topic or service. For example, a chatbot that provides information about the weather, a restaurant’s schedule or the news of the day.
Transactional chatbots: These are the ones that perform some action or transaction for the user. For example, a chatbot that books an appointment, buys a product or makes a payment.
What are the benefits of chatbots for businesses?
Chatbots can provide numerous benefits for businesses, such as:
- Improve customer service: Chatbots can serve customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without waiting or human error. In addition, they can offer personalized and satisfactory answers, increasing customer loyalty and trust.
- Reduce operating costs: Chatbots can reduce the number of employees needed to serve customers, as well as the time and resources dedicated to repetitive or simple tasks.
- Increase sales and revenue: Chatbots can generate more sales opportunities, by capturing the attention of users, recommending products or services suitable for their needs or preferences, or facilitating the purchase or payment process.
- Obtain valuable data and information: Chatbots can collect and analyze data on the behavior, opinions and preferences of users, which allows obtaining valuable information to improve the product or service, optimize the marketing strategy or make better decisions.