A website chatbot handles inquiries 24/7, captures leads while you sleep, and answers common questions instantly. Setup is easier than most owners expect.
What a small business chatbot can do:
- Answer FAQs (hours, pricing, services, location)
- Capture visitor contact info and qualify leads
- Book appointments directly into your calendar
- Route complex questions to you via email
- Respond to after-hours inquiries immediately
Best options for small businesses:
Tidio: Most small-business-friendly. Has AI assistant, live chat fallback, and integrates with most website builders. Free tier available. Good starting point.
ManyChat: Specializes in social media chatbots — Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, WhatsApp. Best if most inquiries come via social.
Intercom (Fin): More enterprise-focused but powerful AI. Can answer from your existing help content automatically. Better for complex product or service lines.
Setting up your chatbot — what you need:
- A clear FAQ document (your chatbot learns from this)
- A lead capture form (name, email, key qualifying info)
- A handoff plan (what triggers escalation to a human)
- A follow-up sequence for captured leads
Are you currently using a chatbot? What has been your experience?