Running a small business is no small feat — and sometimes you feel like you’re doing everything at once. Handling customer questions, managing orders, and making everyone feel special can seem impossible without a little help.
Enter the chatbot for small business: Your no-sleep digital assistant that never clocks out.
Whether it’s answering customer questions past midnight or getting leads while you focus on other jobs, a chatbot for small businesses is like having an extra pair of hands — without the actual appendages.
Thankfully, Lindy agents can help with customer support as a site-embedded chatbot, outreach, lead generation, lead enrichment, and even pulling info from your knowledge base.
Read on to learn:
- Must-have features in a chatbot for small business
- Key considerations when comparing chatbot options
- Why Lindy is the AI buddy your business needs
Things every chatbot for small business should have
Choosing the right chatbot for your small business means knowing what features will make the most impact. Here’s what to look for:
- 24/7 availability and instant responses: Your customers don’t stick to a 9-to-5, so your support shouldn’t either. A chatbot that’s on-call all day, every day, means no more missed opportunities or frustrated customers — even if it’s 3 a.m. and someone can’t sleep because they can’t stop thinking about your return policy. (Yes, you know there are people like that.)
- Multi-platform support for broader reach: Why limit your chatbot to just your website? The best chatbots for small businesses are like digital social butterflies — appearing on your site, social media, and messaging apps so you can meet customers where they hang out most. If your chatbot is not easy to integrate, then you’re just looking for a headache down the line.
- Break the mold: No one likes talking to a chatbot that sounds like it’s stuck in the ‘90s. Pick one that lets you create quirky, personalized conversation paths that showcase your brand’s unique personality and keep customers engaged. You want your chatbot to learn from your brand documents so they can do “you.”
- Brainy and up-to-date: You don’t want a chatbot out here giving yesterday’s news. Make sure it can hook up to your knowledge base to deliver answers that are not just accurate but fresh off the press. If there’s a change, then it needs to have its finger on the virtual pulse.
- Capture leads without the hard sell: Your chatbot should be more than a friendly face (or, well, code). It should gather important customer info, qualify leads, and pop that data straight into your CRM for follow-up like a pro wingman. If it doesn’t, you might as well go on another hiring binge like it’s 2010.
- Know when to pass the baton: You may find the best chatbots for small businesses, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to be able to tackle every issue like Neo in the first Matrix (we’ll forget about that last sequel). Make sure your chatbot knows when to call in the big guns (a.k.a. a human agent) for something a little more personal when things get tricky.
Comparing chatbot solutions: What to look for
Are you shopping for the best chatbot for your small business? It’s a jungle out there, and picking the wrong one could mean the difference between a seamless operation and a digital disaster.
User-friendliness and easy setup
Let’s face it: as a small business owner, you don’t have time to decode a 100-page manual just to get your chatbot running. Your ideal chatbot should be plug-and-play, not plug-and-pray.
Here’s what makes a chatbot user-friendly:
- Drag-and-drop more than “I feel like I’m coding:” If your chatbot’s builder makes you feel like you’re playing a game of Tetris, you’re onto a winner. Visual, drag-and-drop interfaces make creating conversational flows as simple as arranging your dream playlist.
- Quick setup: The best chatbot for small business use gets you up and running in hours — not weeks. Whether you’re tech-savvy or still learning where the "any" key is, the setup should be smooth and supported by easy-to-follow tutorials.
- Knowledge resources: Need a little help? Choose a chatbot provider that offers guides, chat support, and (actual) humans on standby. Nobody likes being trapped in a labyrinth of FAQs. Try the Lindy Academy to see how it’s done.
And other must-have features:
- Good CRM connection: Imagine your chatbot gathering leads and automatically feeding that info into your CRM. No more manual data entry, no more typos that turn "Tim" into "Tmi." Your bot should sync with CRMs like HubSpot, Zoho, or Salesforce without breaking a sweat.
- E-commerce compatibility: Selling products online? Your chatbot should know how to interact with your shopping platform, from inventory updates to payment queries. The last thing you need is a chatbot that can chat but can’t sell.
- Email marketing and beyond: A chatbot that can work with your email marketing software is worth its weight in gold. Whether it’s sending out welcome sequences or follow-up offers, integration here can turn your chatbot into your most reliable marketing intern — over time. It will even order pizza for you, like Lindy.
Cost structure and scalability — budget-friendly and ready to grow
Choosing a chatbot for your small business isn’t just about what it can do today — it's about what it can do tomorrow when your business hits the big leagues. So, let's talk money and growth.
Why this actually matters:
- Affordable starting plans: Look for a chatbot that won’t make your wallet cry. Starting small is key, and there are plenty of options that offer basic plans with room to upgrade as you grow.
Pro tip: Pick a bot that won’t surprise you with hidden fees — nobody likes surprise expenses, except maybe birthday gifts. (And it depends on the gift.)
- Scalable features for future growth: Your business might start off answering 10 customer questions a day, but what happens when that number hits 100? A good chatbot scales to meet your needs without a complete system overhaul.
Bonus points if it can handle sudden surges, like your product going viral, because your great-grandma, who does tai chi, shared it on Facebook.
- Pay for what you use: The best chatbots let you customize your payment plan based on actual usage. Why pay for features you don’t need? Pick a bot that grows with you and charges based on how much it helps, not how much it could help. Think of it as your business wingman who won’t leave you with the tab.
Customization options for brand consistency — keeping it you
A chatbot for your small business should feel like an extension of your brand, offering personalized and engaging interactions.
Let’s take a look at how these help:
- Personalize your tone: Your brand has a unique voice — whether it’s witty, friendly, or straight to the point. Choose a chatbot that lets you customize how it interacts with customers so it matches your vibe. Think of it like teaching a new team member how to talk shop.
- Design that fits: Pick a chatbot that you can tweak visually to align with your brand colors, logos, and style. If your brand is bold pink and neon green, your chatbot shouldn’t look like it wandered in from a corporate finance website.
- Tailor-made conversation flows: Generic chatbots are like generic coffee — serviceable but forgettable. Opt for a bot that lets you map out conversation pathways unique to your business. Whether it's guiding users to the perfect product or offering snappy responses to FAQs, make sure it handles conversations like your brand would.
- Multi-language support: If your audience is international or multilingual, ensure your chatbot can switch languages as smoothly as a flight attendant during a safety demonstration. It’s not just cool — it’s good business.
Customer support and resources — because even chatbots need a lifeline
Your chatbot for small businesses shouldn’t leave you stranded when you need help.
What to expect from top-notch support:
- Responsive customer service: Make sure the company behind your chatbot offers fast, reliable support. There’s nothing worse than your chatbot going rogue and no one to help wrangle it. Look for quick turnaround times to keep things running smoothly.
- Training and onboarding: For small businesses, getting a new app up to speed shouldn’t feel like learning quantum physics. Choose a chatbot that comes with onboarding help and training resources so you’re not left guessing which button does what.
- Community forums: A strong user community can be a game-changer. You’ll find tips, tricks, and solutions from other users who’ve been in your shoes. Think of it as your chatbot support group — minus the stale coffee and folding chairs.
- Regular updates and feature releases: Make sure the chatbot provider is committed to improving their product. You don’t want to invest in a bot that’s stuck in 2015 while your competitors are using one that’s basically HAL 9000 (but friendlier and less mutinous).
The 10 best AI chatbots for small businesses
Looking to give your customer service a boost?
Here's a quick look at the top 10 AI chatbots for small businesses:
- Lindy: If you're looking for an AI chatbot that can handle complex conversations, provide personalized recommendations, and even close deals, Lindy is the best choice.
- ManyChat: This platform is perfect for businesses that want to automate their customer interactions on Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
- Flow XO: If you need a chatbot that can integrate with a wide range of platforms and channels, Flow XO is a great option.
- Intercom: This customer communication platform offers a powerful chatbot that can help you engage with your customers and provide support throughout their journey.
- ChatBot: This platform offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of pre-built templates to help you get started with chatbot automation quickly.
- Tidio: If you're looking for a live chat solution that also offers chatbot capabilities, Tidio is a good choice.
- Giosg: This platform offers a suite of customer engagement tools, including a chatbot that can help you qualify leads and personalize your interactions.
- Birdeye: This platform helps businesses manage their online reputation and customer reviews, and it also offers a chatbot that can help you collect feedback and resolve customer issues.
- Smartsupp: If you're looking for a live chat solution with chatbot capabilities and a focus on customer engagement, Smartsupp is a good option.
- HubSpot Chatbot Builder: This tool is perfect for businesses that want to create a chatbot that integrates really well with their HubSpot CRM and marketing automation platform.
Summing up: Why a chatbot for small business is a must-have
So, why is a chatbot for small businesses non-negotiable these days?
It’s simple: They’re totally awesome for customer service, lead generation, and overall efficiency. With always-there availability, your business can stay connected even when you’re taking a well-deserved nap.
But remember, not all chatbots are built the same: Prioritize user-friendly ones, integrate smoothly with your existing stack, and come with solid customer support. Your ideal chatbot should not only answer questions but also feel like it’s part of the family.
And if you’re looking for one that ticks all those boxes — you might want to check out Lindy.
The future of small business support: Lindy agents
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Say hi to our little friend, Lindy — the AI agent builder for businesses ready to elevate their customer interactions and internal processes. Why is Lindy the “I need it now” choice?
Let’s break it down:
- Customizable conversations that don’t sound like they came from a robot: Lindy’s flexible templates let you create interactions that reflect your brand’s personality and meet specific customer needs.
- Total integration with your tech stack: Are you sick of switching between apps and copy-pasting data like it’s 1999? Lindy syncs directly with your CRM, so your data flows without a hitch.
- Cost-effective and reliable: AI solutions can sometimes cost an arm and a leg (and maybe a few toes). Lindy, however, offers top-tier capabilities at a reasonable price and even a free tier for you to get started.
- 24/7 intelligent support: Whether it’s handling calls, emails, negotiating deals, or follow-ups, Lindy has it covered. Your team can finally take a breather and focus on bigger projects while Lindy keeps things running smoothly around the clock.
- Much more than customer support: Think beyond chat. Lindy agents help with everything from managing emails to organizing meetings and even creating content. Do you need an AI to give a little love to data entry? Check. Need one that can provide job automation across your sales funnel? Double-check.
- Put Lindies to work as a team: Why stop at one AI agent when you can have a whole squad? With Lindy’s Societies feature, your AI agents can collaborate and share the workload, knocking out tasks faster and more effectively than ever.
- Easily expand capabilities: Whether you’re a small business looking to handle high email volumes, schedule client meetings seamlessly, or deploy personalized customer interaction strategies, Lindy makes scaling up straightforward.
