If you own a small business, you’re probably juggling more than a few roles at once. From marketing and finances to responding to the endless customer questions, it’s no easy feat to find the time (or the employees) to do everything that needs to be done.
A chatbot can help take some of the load off your shoulders while still giving your customers the friendly and useful customer service they deserve. In fact, there are tons of ways a chatbot can benefit a small business like yours. That’s why we put this handy list together. Here are the top 5 benefits of a chatbot.
Wait, we may have gotten ahead of ourselves a bit. In case you’re wondering what exactly a chatbot is, here’s a quick explainer:
A chatbot is a quick-thinking, interactive program that engages with your customers right on your website. It’s an awesome tool that can answer customer questions, schedule appointments, order products, promote events, provide general assistance, and much more—all in a conversational format that’s easy to navigate.
Pretty cool, huh? Let’s get into all the benefits a chatbot can provide to you and your business.
Chatbots don’t sleep. Trust us, we’ve tested just to make sure. That means that even when you’re busy taking care of your to-do list, spending time with family and friends, and getting your well-deserved rest, a chatbot can provide a friendly way for your customers to interact with your business.
Customers appreciate 24/7 availability, too. In fact, 64% of internet users say that the best feature of chatbots is their 24-hour service. That means you don’t have to be waiting by the phone or refreshing your email at odd hours to make your customers happy. It’s quite refreshing.
Chatbots are fast, like really fast. Since you can customize responses and pre-program answers to frequently asked questions, your customers don't have to wait to get the information they’re looking for. In fact, studies show that 68% of customers like chatbots because they provide quick answers.
Chatbots can think on their feet, too. Chat customization enables chatbots to offer personalized answers quickly and provide helpful responses to complex questions at a moment's notice (more on this later).
By integrating with your calendar, a chatbot can schedule clients and take orders. That means you can keep sales rolling without having to do anything. A good chatbot will make it easy with customizable templates tailored to your business type and easy integration. That way, you can just set up the chatbot and let the tech do the rest.
You know better than anyone that customers have tons of questions. Chatbots make it easy to keep your customers informed and up to date. By pre-programing answers to your most frequently asked questions, you can give your customers consistent information, that’s always timely and accurate.
Dynamic chatbots can also figure out what information your customers are looking for and give them the answers they need. You can also track what questions customers are asking your chatbot most, then add your answers to the chatbot’s repertoire. Now that’s handy.
Okay, this one’s a biggie. Your time matters, it’s as simple as that. Whether you need more time to run your business or to appreciate the fruits of your labor, a chatbot can save you tons of time. While you’re taking care of everything else that goes into running a small business, your chatbot is always ready to talk to your customers and make sure their needs are met.
Chatbots not only save your time but your employee’s time, too. One study estimates that chatbots can automate 30% of the tasks done by customer service staff. That means you can reduce your labor costs and make your customers happy at the same time. It’s a win-win.
Clearly, a chatbot can be a difference-maker for small businesses. But not all chatbots are created equal. While some are warm and engaging, others are cold and deliver canned responses. By introducing a cheerful, helpful chatbot, you will delight your customers and make them feel valued.
To find out more about the benefits of a dynamic chatbot for your small business website, sign up for Amy for free.