Why Businesses Must Use an AI Chatbot as a Customer Support Gatekeeper

How a one-door strategy benefits customers and Support Agents

An AI-powered customer support chatbot offers consumers the following benefits: 

• Round-the-clock availability for prompt responses
• Elimination of annoying ticketing systems and lengthy wait times
• Tailored assistance based on prior exchanges

For agents, it means:

• Spending less time asking the same questions.
• Increased attention to intricate, valuable relationships 
• Decreased fatigue and increased productivity

AI chatbots are a perfect first point of contact because 69% of customers prefer self-service choices, according to Salesforce.

What does a front-door chatbot mean for email or phone support?

By using an AI chatbot as a gatekeeper, companies may cut down on pointless phone calls and emails. AI chatbots, as opposed to agents who handle each inquiry by hand,

• Quickly fix basic problems (password resets, order tracking, FAQs)
• Before elevating a problem, gather relevant facts.
• Make that omnichannel assistance runs smoothly and points clients to the appropriate platform.

Suggested Read: https://heyeve.ai/blogs/ai-in-marketing-and-sales/

Benefits of using an AI-Powered Customer Service Chatbot

There are many benefits to using an AI chatbot for customer support, including:

1. Gives customers instant answers 24/7

Never let clients wait. Even outside of regular business hours, chatbots offer prompt service.

2. Reduces costs and scales support

Automating replies helps businesses save an average of 30% on support expenses (Juniper Research).

3. Reducing service time effectively

By answering common questions, AI chatbots can cut down on resolution times by as much as 50%.

4. Data collection

Every conversation is recorded, which aids companies in comprehending the needs of their clients.

5. Increases agent efficiency

Agents can concentrate on high-priority situations by using AI to filter repetitive queries.

6. Self-service

Self-service is preferred by more than 67% of customers over chatting with a human (Zendesk).

7. Enhances personalization with customer context

AI provides personalized responses by remembering previous exchanges.

8. Improves CX

Higher satisfaction results from quicker, more accurate responses.

9. Allows you to offer omnichannel support

AI chatbots ensure smooth communication by integrating with websites, social media, WhatsApp, and SMS.

What are the features customer service chatbots should have?

Look for the following when selecting an AI chatbot for customer support:

• NLP (natural language processing) for precise answers
• Helpdesk and CRM integration for smooth support
• Responses that can be altered to maintain brand consistency
• Capabilities across several channels (Website, WhatsApp, Messenger, Email, etc.)
• Analytics and reporting to monitor the efficacy of chatbots

Chatbots for customer service comparison chart

The 10 Best AI Chatbots for Customer Support

1. Zendesk– Best for Enterprise Support Automation

By automating processes, answering frequently asked questions, and seamlessly integrating with helpdesk and CRM software, Zendesk’s AI chatbot simplifies enterprise customer support. It guarantees a consistent experience across platforms by offering omnichannel support.

2. HubSpot – Ideal for Marketing and Sales Teams

Businesses can create leads, nurture prospects, and automate conversations across marketing and sales funnels with the help of HubSpot’s AI-powered chatbot. It enhances client engagement by personalizing responses with an integrated CRM connection.

3. Zoho SalesIQ– Great for Lead Generation & Customer Service

Zoho SalesIQ helps businesses generate leads, qualify prospects, and offer real-time customer support by fusing live chat with AI-driven automation. Because of its seamless integration with Zoho CRM, it is a fantastic option for companies that prioritize sales.

4. Netomi– AI Chatbot with Deep Learning Capabilities

Netomi uses deep learning and sophisticated AI to automatically answer up to 80% of consumer questions. It proactively responds to consumer concerns and escalates issues only when required thanks to predictive AI capabilities.

5. Intercom Fin– Real-Time AI Chatbot for Customer Engagement

Using AI to guide clients, offer solutions, and automate intricate processes, Intercom Fin focuses on real-time talks. It is excellent at integrating with business tools and tailoring interactions with customers.

6. Ada– No-Code Chatbot for Businesses of All Sizes

Ada provides a no-code AI chatbot that lets companies automate sales queries, customer service, and frequently asked questions without requiring a developer. It interacts with popular helpdesks and CRMs and offers multilingual responses.

7. Certainly– Best for eCommerce Automation

Automates order tracking, cart recovery discussions, and product recommendations for eCommerce companies. By decreasing abandoned carts and increasing conversions, Certainly AI-powered chatbot improves the shopping experience.

8. Dixa– AI-Powered Customer Service Solution

By automating live chat, knowledge base queries, and ticketing, Dixa’s AI chatbot increases customer support efficiency. Because it provides omnichannel support, it is a great option for mid-to-large organizations.

9. Zowie– Chatbot for Automating FAQs and Self-Service

Zowie is made to manage large amounts of frequently asked questions and enhance self-service by providing immediate, AI-powered responses. It provides scalable automation for client interactions while lowering agent workload.

10. Meya– Highly Customizable AI Chatbot

Meya is a developer-friendly chatbot platform that provides extensive customization through AI workflows, API connectors, and flexible bot-building. For companies seeking a customized AI chatbot solution with sophisticated features, it is ideal.

Examples of companies using AI Customer Service Chatbots

Numerous businesses have effectively used AI chatbots for customer service, demonstrating their ability to enhance customer satisfaction while cutting expenses and boosting productivity.

1. Photobucket: 24/7 support

An AI-powered customer support chatbot was deployed by Photobucket, a well-known picture hosting and sharing website, to offer prompt answers to user questions. They made sure their consumers could get help whenever they needed it by employing automation, which drastically decreased the need for human intervention.

Results: 

• Using automated solutions reduced response times by 60% and increased availability around the clock.
• Improved client satisfaction through prompt problem-solving

2. Grove Collaborative: AI-powered self-service

An AI chatbot was incorporated as a gatekeeper by Grove Collaborative, a sustainable home basics company, to assist clients with orders, tracking, and commonly asked issues. They used artificial intelligence to optimize their assistance system rather than depending entirely on human personnel.

Results: 

• The outcome was a 40% decrease in agent workload.
• A better experience with self-service
• Increased effectiveness in responding to routine inquiries

3. Hello Sugar: Cost savings

AI chatbots were used by Hello Sugar, a beauty and personal care company, to lower operating expenses and expedite customer support. Their chatbot took care of appointment scheduling, booking questions, and frequently asked questions, freeing up professionals to work on more intricate client requirements.

Results: 

• The outcome was a 35% reduction in customer service expenses.
• Enhanced effectiveness in scheduling and booking
• Improved customer retention through quicker query resolution

How to choose the right AI Chatbot for Customer Support

1. Consider your business goals

Is a chatbot required for customer assistance, lead creation, or self-service?

2. Ensure it integrates with your key systems

Verify that it works with your messaging, support desk, and CRM systems.

3. Confirm it’s easy to set up and purpose-built

Choose a chatbot that is easy to use and does not need a lot of coding knowledge.

4. Assess the channels it can deploy on

For smooth omnichannel assistance, make sure it works with social media, mobile, and web platforms.