Many people today enjoy chatting online to learn more about a product or service instead of picking up the phone and calling sales. It’s one of the fastest growing way we’re communicating online. The anonymity chatbots afford users creates a challenge for the sales team, however, with challenge comes business opportunity. Chances are your competitors are not using this technology.
What are Chatbots?
So, what are chatbots. It’s a piece of software that you chat with to answer questions or get information. They are not run by robots but save time and efforts by automating customer support. Gartner forecasts that by 2020, over 85% of customer interactions will be handled without a human. Chatbots unlock conversation as a platform.
What is Facebook Chatbots?
In 2016, Facebook launched its support of chatbots in Messenger. Since then, developers have been building software that allows a business to easily set up their own chatbot; companies such as Hubspot, Mobile Monkey, and ManyChat to name a few. Once the chatbot campaigns and Q&A are designed and programmed, a Facebook follower who wants to interact in Messenger can ask questions and learn more about your products or services.
Chatbots Can Support Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service.
Your customers have a problem and turn to you to help them solve it. Before they buy, they probably have a few questions, so they turn to your website. If the answer they are looking for is not found, a chatbot can step in and help.
How many times have you heard these?
- Where’s my order?
- How much does this cost?
- When will my shipment arrive?
- What are your hours?
- Can you send me directions to your store?
Customer service requests are never-ending. Instead of adding more staff, which is expensive and complex, not to mention lowering profit margins, consider setting up a chatbot.
The bot handles inquiries, schedules appointments, gives store hours, sends directions, provides coupons, and handles all those details of customer service. Everyone wins when you use a chatbot for customer service.
How to Send Traffic to Facebook Messenger
Messenger ads work just like other Facebook ad objectives. Ads are placed where they are most likely to drive campaign results at the lowest possible cost. The best part? You can use the same creative for Messenger that you’re already using for Facebook and Instagram.
People will see these ads offering the option to learn more in Messenger. When they tap on an ad, they’ll be sent to a detailed view within Messenger with a call-to-action that will take them to the destination you chose during ads creation—whether that’s your site or a chatbot campaign in Messenger.
Chatbot Campaigns Designed for Lead Generation
Chatbot campaigns work to quality leads and route visitors to the products or services they need. Once a prospect enters the chatbot, they are asked questions and presented options in an interactive, conversational way.
As soon as a visitor clicks “Hi” or takes one action in our chatbot, you’ve captured them (their name and location) as a contact. This affords you the option to continue the chatbot conversation, per Facebook’s rules.
Types of Chatbot Campaigns
There are a few chatbot campaigns that can be designed to push leads down the sales funnel.
Welcome Chat. The first chatbot is the Welcome page. When someone lands on your Facebook Messenger, you can give them options, such as click to call, visit your website, take a quiz, or schedule an appointment. The possibilities are endless.
Marketing Automation. This chatbot works the same way as an email automation drip campaign. A series of short chatbot campaigns are set up to provide value, information and help the prospect move down the funnel.
Chatbot Widgets. Start the conversation on your website or in Facebook Messenger and move it back and forth. Since the person is logged into Facebook, the conversation stays connected no matter the platform. Typically, website chat conversation only remain until the chat has disconnected. With the widget, prospects will always have access to the content you provide in the chatbot campaign.
Interested in Learning More?
If your business needs help with social media, or any other aspects of digital marketing, give us a call at (888)4045850 or contact Edge Digital today. We’d love to help you.
Kim works with brands since 2011 to develop and manage their digital and social media strategies; meet company objectives, such as increasing leads, engagement, and website traffic, utilizing best practices, the latest tools and strategies; and develop quality content. She is a problem-solver who loves a challenge when it comes to increasing sales.