Chatbots – are they set to drive mobile apps out of business? It might interest you to find out that the answer to this question is most likely “no.” You see that chatbots and mobile apps may seem similar at first glance, but they are actually very different from one another.
They are designed to do completely different things!
An app is a program, pure and simple. On the other hand, a chatbot is designed to interface with the user. The newer forms of chatbots are built around artificial intelligence and so are set to become more sophisticated over time.
At the moment, the chatbots out there are largely simplistic in nature. They are reasonably good at offering a service, but most people quickly realize they are talking to a bot.
Clever companies, like Nordstrom, offer you a way to find the deal that matches your preferences best through innovative chatbot. There is, however, also the option for you to connect with a real person if needed.
So, will chatbots completely overtake apps?
Not at the moment and not for quite some time to come. Once we start to have a better understanding of how chatbots work and how many different applications they may have, we will start seeing chatbots starting to become more prevalent.
At the moment, though, it is a fairly new field for most companies to venture into. Needing to integrate the program with artificial intelligence means that programming becomes more difficult overall.
It is something that cannot be rushed. If your client has one or two encounters with a chatbot that is unable to provide her the assistance she requires, the client will be put off completely in future as well.
So, for now, companies are looking at complementing their apps with chatbots as well. And, in future, you will probably see more of the same. Those who are happy to use the chatbot can do so, and those who prefer the app will be able to use that.
At the end of the day, chatbots are used for a number of different reasons. For businesses, a basic customer service function, and perhaps a way of boosting sales, are excellent reasons to start looking into the world of chatbots.
The chatbots, for most people, are the new kids on the block.
The idea has been around for a few decades now, but it is only recently that we have had the technology to make these usable on a much larger scale.
So, should your company develop an app, or should it develop a chatbot?
That depends on what your goal for each piece of software is. An app is simple and quite easy to put together. A chatbot is more complex but can perform a far wider range of functions.
To determine which is the best option for your company, it is a good idea to consult a professional firm who can walk you through the creation process for each. Then you can decide which one is the best for your company.
Interested in how other businesses might view chatbots? Check out this awesome infographic and see for yourself.
