How to Build a Chatbot in Facebook Messenger
After summarizing the benefits of chatbots, you should now be convinced how profitable and helpful they are to your business. We now head to the guide in setting up Facebook Messenger bots. But before that, we will first reintroduce what chatbots are and discuss how they are being used.
As defined in this blog, a chatbot is a piece of software application that uses AI (artificial intelligence) to conduct an online chat conversation. They provide a way for businesses to automate basic customer service tasks and have become standard in communicating with users because they are prompt and effortless.
Building chatbots was very complicated in its early years. You should be an expert in coding or rather hire a skilled developer instead of creating one. As for Facebook Messenger, you should work directly with Facebook’s developers to build a chatbot. But that was then. As it has become more available and used by many in recent years, it has become remarkably easier to make.
Here are three of the most popular Facebook Messenger bot builders. Not only are they easy to use, but they are also available for free with limited features:
ManyChat
ManyChat is one of the most popular chatbots for Facebook Messenger. Also, it may be the most, if not among, user-friendly bot builder. It does not require coding skills, has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, has a beneficial function to send message previews, and an unlimited broadcast on its free plan!
Aside from the free plan, the only other option is their priced plan “PRO,” which is also packed with features with varying prices based on the number of active subscribers that you have.
ManyChat has a broad range of messaging options, including the standard text and picture messaging, the creation of Cards, which merges pictures and texts, is also allowed. You may also attach files to your messages, which is very useful in a lot of ways. With this flexibility, the marketing campaigns you make will have a vast range that may add.
MobileMonkey
MobileMonkey’s founder and CEO, Larry Kim, affirms, “Facebook Messenger chatbots are the #1 growth marketing channel for the next 5-10 years.” If we are all to believe that, then chatbots are essential to any business owners and marketing entrepreneurs, who communicate through Facebook Messenger.
MobileMonkey is easy to use, and you don’t need to do the coding like the other bot builders named here. The setup process is uncomplicated with a drag-and-drop interface and a single tool called “MobileMonkey OmniChat®,” a technology that allows marketers to build chatbots across multiple messaging platforms. It contains templates that you can adapt to your marketing style or customize any bot from scratch.
MobileMonkey is free to use! But with limited features only. To adjust to your marketing needs, you may avail of its current paid plans: PRO, PRO Unicorn, and Team, aside from a custom pricing for enterprises.
Chatfuel
Another famous free chatbot builder for Facebook Messenger is Chatfuel. When it was founded, they started on the Telegram. But as digital marketing grew exponentially on Facebook, helping people build chatbots in Messenger became their focal point.
The plans are more similar to ManyChat, with just the “Free” trial account, “Pro,” which price varies depending on the number of users and “Premium” with all the perks of Pro and some more, at different prices.
Chatfuel is packed with excellent features. But one handy and unique feature it possesses, if you are on their “Pro” plan, you can export the Messenger ID of all your subscribers into a spreadsheet. At first, Chatfuel may seem daunting to use. But when you add more content, it gets easier when managing and reusing messages.
Codeless bot building in Facebook Messenger
Whichever chatbot tool you avail, setting it up can be as easy as done in a few minutes. Each platform bot building guide may differ.
Here are the necessary steps on building a chatbot in Facebook Messenger, assuming you already have a Facebook page:
Step 1. Sign up. Create free accounts on the said platforms or any tool of your choice. You get to try multiple platforms and evaluate them according to your liking. You may decide to subscribe to the pro plan if the free edition is not enough for your marketing.
Step 2. Connect your Facebook page. After connecting, each tool has its account settings and preferences. Tweak as preferred.
Step 3. Walkthrough in-app or web tutorials (whichever is available). This includes creating the chatbot itself and setting up its artificial intelligence by creating your welcome messages and default answer, setting up your conversation navigation, building and linking blocks to the main navigation, and putting up chatbot dialogs.
Step 4. Publish your bot. You may test your chatbot first before launching.
If everything's in place according to your marketing plan, then you’re ready to go.
LINKS: