As automation takes over the world, companies are getting more competitive and on board with the chatbot trend. It can be challenging to build one for the non-tech-savvy crowd. However, a person knowing to code in different coding languages may have the technical skills to build it. Chatbots have become popular, being the smart interface to hold conversations with humans. In this age of Robotic Process Automation, the need of the hour is to build one and with the right approach, it is extremely easy too.
A chatbot is a software program that simulates intelligent conversations with users using pre-defined rules or artificial intelligence. You can find them on many platforms like Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Pharmacy apps, etc. They serve many purposes like knowing about the weather, fetching any information, ordering products, and the list goes on. Contextual Communication is the standard of effective interaction, and chatbots make their mark by doing so.
Call for a Chatbot
Well, when computers were invented, the pressure on humans to solve complicated tasks was addressed extensively. One gen to another, the interfaces proved that users are happy only when there are easier interactions with a product. Today, almost 30% of browsing done is screenless. Hence chatbots become the go-to interface that handles user requests, communicates with them, provides relevant information, and sells the business that builds it.
Of course, someone can argue that the human workforce can handle jobs done by a bot. However, who would like to invest in a workforce that needs management from time to time when only a twist in coding can manage a chatbot. As beneficial as it is in realtime, it is time to look into the guide to build a chatbot.
Steps to Build a Chatbot
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Reach an expert and explain the purpose of the development of the bot.
It is important to assess the purpose of building the bot, analyzing what problems it is going to address.
Bots are generally of two types: Rule-Based and Artificial Intelligence Based. The platforms to be used to build them must have multiple channel support systems.
Here is a list of some of the platforms(non-coding) to build your first bot
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Chatfuel
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Verloop
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Azure Bot Service
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Motion.ai
Here is a list of some frameworks(coding) that provide database tools, analytical features, and AI features to build your first bot
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Microsoft bot framework
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Wit.ai
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API.ai
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IBM Watson Assistant
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Choose the design elements you wish to employ in the bot
The platform that you choose to deploy the bot in drives the design your bot needs to have. Top design elements are:
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Buttons
Buttons prompt an action when the user clicks it. E.g., A chatbot usually has a Get Started Button. The communication interface pops up when you click the bot.
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Cards
Appearing as blocks, cards contain lots of information in the form of links, text, or images.
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Reply
Smart Reply lets users respond fast to the bot’s query without typing. The chatbot has useful information and is context-aware.
The quick reply feature lets the user respond to the bot sooner.
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Menu
This allows the user to move to another portion of the bot that is not readily available.
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Build, Train, Deploy, and Track
Build
Once you are sure of the task your bot will be assigned, how intelligent it will be and the place where it will be hosted, you can move ahead and train them.
Train
Most of the training process will be repetitive. The bot needs to process human interactions and respond accordingly. A sample interaction list can help strengthen the natural language capabilities of the bot. The purpose of building a bot will decide the amount of training to be given to it.
Deploy
Once the main two tasks above are done, the next vital step is to deploy them at the right place. It could be your webpage or a messaging platform. As users get to see the live bot, they can use it to know about your products, services, company and have queries on anything. The bot will respond as per the training given to it
Track
Here you need to ascertain the success of your chatbot. You can do so by creating feedback from your customers as to how the conversations went with the bot; if their issues were resolved and their experiences using it. If the feedback questionnaire is bot enabled as soon as the user decides to exit the platform, it's a win-win for all.
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Have clarity on the features you want and the budget you can allot.
It’s known that the advanced features can cost you a little more to build a bot than the normal ones. Clarity can help you keep a check on your pockets.
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Be in line with the software development concepts, AI and NLP
Even if you have used a coding platform, you must be aware of the concepts related to software. This will give you an upper hand if anything goes wrong with the functioning of your chatbot.
Recommended: Business ideas using AI
A Bright Future
Chatbots are a part of most businesses today and the future looks even brighter for them. Already employed as Facebook Messenger, Kik Bot, Sephora Bot, E-Bay, Replika, and many more, these programs can rule the technology by performing a variety of tasks. It’s only a matter of time before we witness the revolution.
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