Live chat is one of the newest customer service communication tools in digital marketing. Customers like this software because it allows them to experience one to one interaction without having to wait in lengthy queues or constantly check for replies to an email.
1. ChatterOn
One of the fastest and simplest bot builders available at the moment, ChatterOn was created to allow people with limited experience of this type of software to create chatbots quickly and with the minimum of fuss. You can choose from 20 different bot pre-sets, all of which can be adapted and customised to suit your needs. There are a range of button styles, gifs and video content, plus the potential to integrate advertising if you want to.
This is such a popular choice of bot builder as its totally free. All features and types of chatbot are available to users straight away and you can engage with up to 15000 messages every month. If you go above this amount, you will be charged but this is a very small amount per message.
For simplicity and cost effectiveness, there are few programs out there that can rival ChatterOn, though larger businesses who require very high volumes of customer interaction via live chat may find the platform a little too basic.
2. TARS
For people without any experience of coding or programming, TARS is one of the most intuitive and user-friendly platforms available. The principal is based on simple drag and drop interfaces, meaning that the learning curve is gentle enough for you to feel as if you’ve mastered the program in a short space of time. Though there isn’t a free version, the range of specific analytics tools that come with this package make it a great choice for businesses who want to measure engagement and assess how their chatbot addition has performed in real time. At the time of writing, TARS cost $499 dollars, so this probably won’t be an option for small start-ups or those with limited funds.
3. FlowXO
This platform is incredibly easy to use and is ideal for people who want to use a chatbot interface across several different social media platforms. If you want to try it out before you buy, there is a free version available which provides all the standard features you get with the paid package, but you are restricted to just 500 conversations. That’s still a good number, especially for small start-ups with just a few customers. The basic paid version is reasonable at $19 dollars a month and you can choose from a range of packages, depending on the volume of clients you have and your individual business needs. Multiple chatbots are available for an extra $10 per month.
4. Pandorabots
For those with coding abilities and patience, Pandorabots is a very cheap alternative to some of the paid solutions on this list. If you have 1000 clients or less and are able to navigate its interface, you should be able to set up a reliable and adaptable chatbot service that will be more than adequate for basic customer service needs. The main selling point with this platform is the sheer flexibility it offers you. Practically everything is customisable and though beginners or those without programming experience will find this a little a bewildering, it may be a great choice for those want to save money and establish a sense of control over their automated chat bots.
5. Sequel
One of the simplest and user-friendly drag and drop interfaces on our list, Sequel offers a number of templates that can be adapted to suit your needs. The language processing is of a good quality and customers will usually feel as if they are speaking to a human, rather than a machine. As a tool to maintain engagement, this is a simple and effective option. It is compatible with Kik and Messenger, plus a couple of other platforms, though it’s simplicity may deter some users who want to experience a little more sense of control and adaptability.
6. BotKit
This dedicated bot building software is for the real chatbot aficionados. So much so that there are thousands of enthusiasts and experts who come together in an online community to offer support and advice to each other. Though probably too technical and time consuming for very busy project managers, for I.T savvy professionals, it offers one of the most adaptable solutions for automated customer service on our list. Subscriptions start at $5 per month, which is very reasonable. Conversations can be constructed, edited and tested to make sure everything works properly, and you can refine and change your settings whenever you need to.
7. Chatfuel
For those who rely on Facebook for marketing, this platform is perfect. It allows users to build a chatbot directly in Messenger. Incredibly simple, very easy to use and just $15 a month, Chatfuel offers its users good quality customer service support and insights into engagement levels. It can be a little confusing at first, but once you’ve got used to the interface, you will be able to master this program in a matter of hours. Messages can be repurposed as you see fit and content can be used again, which is a good time saving feature. The only real downside from a marketing perspective is that the Chatfuel logo is very clearly visible and you can’t rebrand it yourself.
Summary
Chatbots are here to stay and no matter what your level of understanding, there will be something on this list to suit your needs. When choosing the right platform for you, consider your budget, the number of clients you have as well as your own technical ability. Ultimately, chatbots are designed to make the customer experience easier and more immediate. If you find that you’re spending longer setting up your bots than you would do writing emails or making phone calls, it makes sense to consider simpler options.
