How to create a bot on Facebook Messenger?
It is common for customers to write messages via Facebook Messenger outside of business hours or to be inundated with questions about the availability or location of the service. And if so to get a virtual assistant who will immediately give an answer, point the way, redirect to the online store and even take on the role of an assistant for placing an order? This is the function of the bot in the Facebook Messenger application.
Automatic replies on Messenger or chatbot? What is worth betting on?
It is worth starting by distinguishing between the types of applications with relatively similar technologies that will allow you to send responses automatically. Both solutions are very intuitive. They will save you time and even gain new customers.
These are:
- Messenger's automatic replies, which are available from the Facebook settings,
- a more advanced option in the form of an external tool, that is, a bot, which although it can not conduct any conversation, but is a simple automaton to use at the first contact.
Ways to use bots on Messenger
But before that, how to explain how to define the first bot on Messenger, choose a welcome message, specify each question and prepare simple answers to them. It is also worth remembering that Facebook's artificial intelligence allows sales, customer service and even sending marketing messages from the conversation on the Messenger platform.
How do I start automatic answers to user questions?
The first solution is available in the panel of your website and it will take you only a few minutes to run it. How to start automatic chat on Facebook (chats on Messenger)? Simply select “Settings” and then “Messages” to enable a number of additional options.
In this panel, you have the option to select a greeting that will appear at the top of the chat before users send a message. There is also an option to personalize the greeting, thanks to which you will address the interlocutor directly by name.
It is also worth taking a look at the option “Set up automatic responses”. There you will find, among other things, the possibility of launching an automatic message that will be sent during your absence.
This system allows an unusual reach to users who decide to contact your company through social media, but we must not forget that this is a place that will give different audience groups. That is why you need to pay close attention to the selected words used in the visibility content.
It is also possible to enable an automatic reply to the first message of the interlocutor, so you can immediately thank him for contacting him or give basic information about the company.
Another option available in this panel is the “Frequently Asked Questions”. It gives you the possibility, among other things, to create a menu in which you can place selected, frequently asked questions of users, as well as automatic answers to them. It is worth using this option to launch a response that will redirect the interlocutor directly to the online store.
Remember to always check several times that the implemented response system works correctly and does not mislead the user on social media.
More details on this autoresponder settings can be found in the article 10 Ways Droplabs Customers Beat Their Sales Records.
How does a chatbot work on Facebook Messenger?
The second solution is the applications available on the market that allow more advanced functions, i.e. chatbot. The most popular are ChatFuel and ManyChat. You can use both of these tools for free, but with some restrictions.
What is a chatbot?
A chatbot is a tool that, on your behalf, will write back to a customer contacting the company using a fanpage. The program will be able to provide information, propose solutions, educate the interlocutor and, above all, sell. So why make a customer wait if they can get an answer after a few seconds? A big advantage of the chatbot is also the ability to send scheduled campaigns that can reach users previously interested in your offer. You can send them discount codes or let them know about promotions. So it can serve as an effective marketing tool.
How to add a bot on Messenger?
To start the chatbot, go to the site ChatFuel be ManyChat, and then log in with Facebook. Create a sequence of responses to be displayed during the conversation, and sync the finished template with the corresponding Facebook page (fanpage of your choice).
If you are interested in a more extensive solution, it is worth considering the second option. Depending on the level of chat you choose, it can be a bot that answers questions sent by users, or even conduct a dialogue with them. A well-used bot will tell you about the current offer and even encourage you to buy.
The capabilities of the Messenger platform in customer service
A properly programmed bot is a great convenience and functionality. It allows you to serve many customers at once at any time, thanks to this, it allows you to save time, money, and also significantly increase the quality of customer service. Before choosing such a solution, however, it is worth considering what effect we want to achieve by applying it in communication. It may be that you do not need such a tool at all. The bot is effective and can make a good impression on customers, but only if the communication on it is well suited to your business.