This article is originally published on UXness.
What is a Chatbot?
A chatbot (also known as a talkbot, chatterbot, Bot, chatterbox, Artificial Conversational Entity) is a computer program which conducts a conversation via auditory or textual methods. — Wiki
A chatbot is a service, powered by rules and sometimes artificial intelligence that you interact with via a chat interface. The service could be any number of things, ranging from functional to fun, and it could live in any major chat product (Facebook Messenger, Slack, Telegram, Text Messages, etc.). — Chatbotsmagazine
At the moment, chat bots are basically replacing individual apps. Rather than closing Facebook Messenger and opening Uber, you can simply message Uber and ask for a ride.
Benefits of Chatbots
1. No UI approach
Chatbots are minimalist and simplistic in nature. With respect to UI components Chatbots are having simple chat box and very less UI components. In apps or websites you can find some persistent UI components which keeps grabbing your attention but in case of Chatbot very less UI components make users focused on topic.
2. Information is prime factor
Users come to platform with some motivation and intention and a system which fulfills user’s intention smoothly wins users heart. In chatbot, there is no such page to page navigation, no fancy UI components only users intentions come in form of text (message) and it is getting answered in form of response. In chatbot information is king.
3. Less distraction
Due to less UI, contextual information and one story (response) at a time to focus makes Chatbots less distractive instead of any app/website.
4. Personalized behavior
It is a key advantage of using chatbot, it can behave differently according to different users. With the help of intelligence and NPL it can identify ‘New users, savvy users etc.’ and provide responses according to context.
Kickstart in UX with top UX courses at Interaction Design Foundation and Get 3 Months FREE Subscription and a verified certificate which enhances your UX profile.
Explore more UX Courses
Author
Abhishek Jain
User Experience Designer & Co-founder of UXness
