Types Of Chatbots

A chatbot is a unique program for communicating with a client. It helps to solve simple tasks that do not require human intervention and allows you to free up an enterprise employee to perform other operations. For example, a chatbot can be used to buy tickets or book a table in a restaurant, make an appointment for a haircut, and generate and send information to clients with data on the delivery of goods. Specialists from an AI chatbot development company talk about the types of such software.

Table of Contents

The classification of software is quite diverse. This includes development technology, the functions it can perform, and the way it communicates with clients. The simplest ones perform a few actions. A typical example is bots in Telegram. More advanced ones are based on artificial intelligence and are capable of self-learning.

Types of bots based on the principle of learning:

Unlearning – they have the necessary scenarios with possible user responses written in them and offer ready-made options for action.
Trainables are more complex software. They can ask leading questions and select products and services depending on the user’s general request. For example, they cannot only offer a car according to specified parameters but also sign up for a test drive.

Companies use voice and text assistants to sell goods, works, and services. The former is needed to call many potential clients and clarify order details. Such a chatbot does not answer questions but executes a built-in algorithm.

The latter recognize keywords and have functionality for communication and solving simple problems. For example, chatbots in banks can help conduct a transaction and provide answers to simple customer questions.

The software is also classified by its functions—informants, presentations, assistant organizers, and so on.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Writing software is always an enterprise’s expense, and implementation and debugging take time. Some businesses prefer to work the old-fashioned way, and others do not want to spend money on such innovations. The table shows the advantages and disadvantages of chatbots for small and medium businesses.

Pros

Cons

increase in sales volume, as the software remembers the customer’s preferences;
reduction in business expenses – a chatbot does not need a salary, social payments, or vacation;
efficiency – according to surveys, up to 80% of tasks can be solved without human participation;
high speed of work – significantly higher than a person;
automation of simple actions and decisions;
collection of information about the client and buyer.

limited communication capabilities – do not understand hints, metaphors;
lack of emotional intelligence, which can repel certain users;
errors and failures – medicine and financial processes often suffer;
dependence on scenarios and data;
lack of an individual approach to the client;
user resistance – many customers do not want to communicate with an electronic assistant.

One of the most significant disadvantages is the high costs of implementing software. Since buying or writing software is not enough, you must work out various scenarios when communicating with the user. In addition, chatbots are written in the most popular languages in certain regions. Sometimes, there may be problems with the correct interpretation of their messages.

Conclusions

A chatbot is one of the stages of development for an enterprise or a person in general. However, sometimes, this technology can push away potential buyers. Therefore, you must carefully consider what electronic assistant is needed for your business.