technical

What is Chatbot?

A chatbot is an automated program that can have conversations with customers through messaging platforms. Chatbots range from simple (answering FAQs with preset responses) to sophisticated (using AI to understand and respond to complex questions). The best chatbots handle routine tasks while smoothly handing off to humans when needed.

Why Chatbot Matters

Provide instant responses 24/7 without human staff
Handle high volumes of simple, repetitive questions
Qualify leads before passing to sales teams
Reduce workload on human agents for routine tasks

Real-World Examples

A chatbot answers 'What are your hours?' instantly on WhatsApp

An e-commerce bot helps customers track orders via Instagram DMs

How messagehq Helps with Chatbot

MessageHQ supports chatbot integration while keeping humans in control. Set up automated responses for common questions, but ensure customers can easily reach a real person when the bot can't help. Your team sees all conversations—human and bot—in one place for seamless handoffs.

Related Terms

Messaging Automation

Messaging automation uses technology to handle repetitive messaging tasks automatically—things like greeting new contacts, answering common questions, routing messages to the right team member, or sending follow-ups. Done right, automation saves time while keeping conversations feeling personal and helpful.