What opportunities for business does the integration of AI with chatbots of popular messengers open up

Business chatbots are convenient and practical tools that allow you to optimize some routine processes and relieve the load on operators or consultants. The development of modern technologies in the field of AI has given a rapid impetus to the growth and development of chatbots. Modern virtual assistants are able to maintain an active dialogue with the user, offer relevant services and products, and provide advice no worse than a real person.

Artificial intelligence in online chat allows you to take your business to the next level, expand your user audience and retain regular customers using modern marketing methods.

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Benefits of using chatbots for business

The key benefits of a chatbot for business, which were appreciated by entrepreneurs around the world:

• Working hours 24/7. A virtual assistant isn't human, so he doesn't need to rest or take a break. The bot works around the clock and is available to potential customers at any time. Integrating bots into business allows you to conduct a dialogue with customers around the world, eliminating the time difference.
• High work efficiency. A chat with AI is not much different from a conversation with a real consultant; only the bot will answer succinctly and on the topic, without overloading the potential client with unnecessary information. In many cases, this plays a key role when deciding in favor of a particular seller/product/service.
• Optimization of financial costs. AI bots can replace real operators, especially when it comes to simple actions that don't require much experience or specialized skills. Answering basic questions, presenting goods or services, and even accepting payments — a virtual assistant can easily handle all this. As a result, you don't have to keep a large staff of consultants and not pay them a monthly salary. The money spent on developing a chatbot will quickly pay off in the first months of operation. Even the most modern chatbot with artificial intelligence will not be able to completely replace a person, but it will be able to relieve specialists so that they can only complete important tasks that require a qualified approach.
• Working with a focus on the future. In addition to answering customer questions and helping them place orders, the AI bot also collects information about users. It analyzes their preferences, forming a detailed customer base that will later be used to identify the target audience and then effectively promote goods or services.

An intelligent chat bot is an effective modern tool that can be successfully used in various areas of business: from selling goods and services to online training and providing specific content.‍

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Some statistics on the use of chatbots

‍The following facts illustrate the benefits of implementing intelligent chatbots:

• In 2019, a number of large companies around the world saved at least $300,000 each on operator services. In fact, the use of virtual assistants has reduced the number of online consultants.
• Thanks to chatbots, sales in various fields have increased to 67%.
• Communication with bots made it possible to close about 26% of sales without human intervention.
• The response time was tripled, which made it possible to keep the interest of potential customers and close sales in the future.

According to research by Mobile Marketer, representatives of the new generation are more likely to communicate with virtual consultants than with real people. At the same time, they find this way of communication more effective and rational.

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AI-based chatbots: what they are

‍According to the way they interact with the user, intelligent bots can be divided into two groups: voice bots and text bots. Programs from the first group recognize speech, and the second group recognize written text. In addition, the introduction of AI has allowed bots to learn to recognize emotions and adjust their responses depending on this. The settings of modern virtual assistants have certain parameters that allow not only to provide relevant and adequate answers, but also, if necessary, to quickly switch the client to a real operator. In terms of functionality, there are several types of chatbots with AI:

• Consultants. Their tasks include providing information about a product or service in dialogue with the customer. Such virtual assistants are successfully used by tour operators, real estate agencies, cinema chains, airlines, large fitness centers and representatives of other business areas.
• Teachers. Such programs provide access to training courses, and they can conduct the educational process and monitor applicants' results by reviewing knowledge or checking homework.
• Gaming. These are usually simple programs that ask the client to answer a few quiz questions, solve a puzzle, or perform other interactive actions. As a result, after completing the game, the user receives a prize (usually a discount or gift), which may encourage him to buy a product or order a service.

In addition, there are universal bots that can perform several actions: for example, advise you on a product or service, as well as accept payments and track order status.‍

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Messengers that support the integration of chatbots with AI‍

Given the broad prospects for using chatbots in business, almost all modern messengers support such programs. As for the CIS, AI bots are successfully used on the three most popular platforms: Telegram, Viber, and WhatsApp. There are some differences in functionality between them, which will be discussed below.‍

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Telegram chatbot with AI

‍Telegram is the most popular messenger in our country and reaches millions of active users. The distinctive feature and advantage of the “cart” is its own environment for creating BotFather bots, thanks to which users can create their own versions of virtual assistants and endow them with specific functions.Telegram's artificial intelligence chat is used mainly to increase sales and develop a marketing strategy.Telegram's multidisciplinary nature allows you to use bots not only to close sales and direct advertising, but also to optimize the process of communicating through corporate chat, and create reports, set tasks and monitor their implementation by subordinates.

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‍Smart bots from Viber and WhatsApp

Viber bots inform you about goods and services, help you place an order through the shopping cart, and register users in the loyalty program. WhatsApp bot for business is available in the commercial version of the platform. This is a convenient tool for medium and large businesses. Such programs are used by logistics companies, representatives of the HoReCa segment and other business areas.

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‍Business areas where AI chatbots have been successfully implemented

‍An example of successful integration of smart bots into various business sectors:

• Clinics. Users can make an appointment online, track their medical history, get test results, and more.
• Event agencies. Bots send information about events to potential customers and help them register.
• Catering establishments. Customers receive information about the menu, as well as various promotional offers, and can book tables or contact administration representatives to solve specific problems.
• Freelance platforms. Freelancers receive information about new orders and have access to their statistics and finances.

In addition, AI chatbots are actively used by global giants such as Netflix, IKEA, Amazon and other companies.‍

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How to create a chatbot and successfully integrate it into your business

‍Creating chat bots for business involves using one of two options: using a special designer or ordering a bot from specialized specialists. The designer will be an excellent solution for beginners. In fact, this is a ready-made platform with a certain number of templates that the bot will use when communicating with users. The advantages of this solution are maximum simplicity and availability, and the disadvantages are limited functionality, difficulties in integrating into specific industries, and poor customization. Ordering bot development from programmers is a more expensive and time-consuming option, but many entrepreneurs prefer this method. The application is developed by programmers who actually write code for the bot from scratch without using ready-made templates. Thanks to this approach, you can create a unique chatbot, taking into account the specifics of a particular business. The functionality of such virtual assistants is significantly higher than ready-made template solutions that can be created using a designer. Investments in creating such bots more than pay off in the first months of the program's operation.

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‍findings

‍Using AI chatbots will help you develop your business, optimize costs and increase your audience reach. It is not difficult to create a bot based on a popular messenger. The main task is to integrate it correctly into an existing work environment. In order for the virtual assistant to bring maximum benefit, it is recommended to order its development and configuration from specialized specialists.