Small businesses can optimise their customer service and go digital without huge costs by using chatbots.
These automated tools work 24 hours a day, answer frequently asked questions, facilitate bookings, and improve the user experience.
What is a chatbot?
A chatbot is a programme that simulates human conversation through messages. It can be integrated into websites, social media, WhatsApp or booking platforms. There are two main types:
- Rule-based: they respond to predefined questions.
- AI-based: they learn and adapt as they interact with users.
Challenges for SMEs
- Availability to respond to queries outside business hours.
- Limited access to technological tools.
- Need to improve customer service and attract more digital bookings.
- Poor visibility in digital environments.
What benefits do they offer?
- 24/7 customer service without the need to increase staff numbers.
- Increase in bookings by automating the process from the first contact.
- Reduction in operational workload, especially in tourist accommodation, wineries, local shops and active tourism centres.
- Collection of useful data to improve services and get to know the customer better.
Specific use cases in a rural environment:
- Rural guest houses that use chatbots to manage availability and bookings.
- Wineries that provide information about guided tours and collect data for campaigns.
- Agri-food producers who answer questions about orders and deliveries in real time.
Main platforms for creating chatbots
- Tidio: easy-to-use platform, ideal for integrating into simple websites. It allows you to automatically answer frequently asked questions and capture contacts.
- ManyChat: specialised in Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, it is perfect for businesses that already use social media to communicate with customers.
- Landbot: a visual tool that allows you to create customised conversation flows without the need for programming. Ideal for interactive forms or automated customer service.
- Dialogflow: Google's artificial intelligence-based solution allows you to develop more complex and customised chatbots, even with natural language recognition.
How can DIGIS3 help you?
At DIGIS3, we help you to:
- Perform a free digital maturity assessment.
- Identify the best digitalisation solution for your business.
- Train you in different digital skills.
- Help you find funding for your digitalisation projects.
With DIGIS3, companies in Castile and León can take a firm step towards digital competitiveness.
Want to get started? Write to us at info@digis3.eu
