Chatbots have an increasingly significant impact on the business world. I mean, not only do they make customer interaction easier, but by doing so, they also automate one of the most time-consuming tasks in business.
It's pretty much safe to say that chatbots are the future of business.
And if you run a business online and have been looking into bots, you may have come across ManyChat. This is one of the most promising AI chatbots in the industry.
What is ManyChat?
ManyChat is a cloud-based chatbot AI that allows you to create Facebook Messenger chatbots for marketing and customer service purposes.
The tool may have some functionality on Whatsapp Messenger (beta) and Instagram direct messages, but it is better suited and optimized for Facebook Messenger. Like any chatbot, its purpose is to automate interactive conversations between your business and customers. However, its central premise is that it is easy to use.
You don’t need any coding skills to create a conversational chatbot. Instead, it uses a drag-and-drop feature that ManyChat advertises will get you a chatbot in less than two minutes. Whether or not that is true depends on you/the person working on the AI. This is because while ManyChat requires no coding, you still need some technical skills to successfully ‘program’ its more advanced features. Thus, you may need the services of a ManyChat developer; one that you can find on platforms like Legiit.
ManyChat Features
Manychat has many features. The most fundamental of these features include;The User Interface
ManyChat is built to make creating chatbots as easy as possible. This starts with having a simple and intuitive user interface that makes it easy to follow any performed actions on screen.The platform features an icon-heavy interface that does its best to explain each of its features as you work on it. For instance, the menu bar sits on the left, and for each option it offers, the corresponding content is displayed clearly on the right. Other buttons have also been placed on prominent positions that make them hard to miss and easy to use when needed.
The result is a relatively self-explanatory tool. You’re essentially learning as you go. Thus, you don’t need to spend a lot of time on tutorials.
The chat flow builder
ManyChat’s pursuit of ease is also evident in its chat flow builder. Here, the developer has two options: The Basic Builder and The Flow Builder.These allow you to create the process you want your bot to follow when interacting with real people on Facebook Messenger.
- Basic Builder
The option may focus on the fundamentals of editing chat flows, but it's still competent enough to edge out the more complex Flow Builder in some cases. For instance, ManyChat’s Basic Builder features a linear organization that makes for a well-structured chatbot. Thus, messages in a specific flow are displayed in chronological order, making them more organized than the Flow Builder.
- Flow Builder
This option can also display your chat flows with configured messages in map form. Thus, you get a more structured view of the chatbot content. However, ManyChat’s Flow Builder demands more technical knowledge than the Basic Builder. It's more comprehensive and thus, will often require one to hire a pro ManyChat developer to create chat flows for them. Otherwise, there is the risk that your flows will look disorganized, and your chatbots will feel sluggish.
Built-in analytics tools
ManyChat’s built-in analytics tool is one of its most useful features. The platform logs conversion events and uses metrics, allowing users to track the performance of each marketing campaign. You can also view and track your audience status using the following graphs;- Net contacts: Displays the number of active contacts you get each day
- Active contacts: Shows the number of contacts you have within a selected period
- Active and Inactive contacts: Shows everyday stats for contacts, including those that have subscribed/ unsubscribed from your chatbot.
- Contact details: Details the proportion of your contacts by language and gender.
A collection of growth tools
Many Chat features an array of growth tools that work with your Facebook marketing initiatives to increase your lead generation.These include the Messenger Code tool that makes scannable visuals for enticing users into subscribing to your ManyChat bot. On the other hand, the Facebook Comment tool lets you convert post comments into bot subscribers. That way, you can get leads from users who regularly comment on your articles but don’t message you directly.
There is also the Facebook Ads tool. It performs the same duty as the Facebook Comment tool, only this time, it is aimed at people who click on your advertisements.
There are about eight possible paths that can be used to initiate a conversation between your ManyChat bot and potential customers.
These are what the platform aims to exploit with its growth tools, most of which are only available to pro users. You’ll also be provided with metrics for any growth tool you use. Such data will include things like conversion rates, Impressions, and Opt-ins.
Chatbot automation
Chatbots are all about the automation of responses. However, ManyChat takes it a step further by letting you customize such responses, so your chatbot works as you want it to. For instance, you want to alter ManyChat’s default response immediately you start using your chatbot. This is because ManyChat’s responses, in their raw form, are far from ideal.
Using them may make your bot appear unprofessional and alienate your audience, leading to lower conversion rates. So, it's essential to customize your bot’s responses to match your niche and customer expectations. This feature is only available to pro ManyChat users.
Diverse template options
Templates can be helpful in generating more leads. ManyChat knows this, and thus, has afforded users diverse template integration options.For instance, the platform supports various third-party templates. So, if you don’t want your ManyChat Developer to spend too much time developing a bot, you can buy a template online. Whichever path you choose, creation or installation, you can be sure that the templates are optimized for a good user experience.
Crafting messages
ManyChat supports a huge number of block types that are useful for crafting your bot’s messages. You can create these messages from multiple elements far from the standard text and image messages. Some of the supported actions include:- Attach files of all formats, including audios and videos, to your messages. This is useful for tutorials when customers first purchase your products or when they run into problems with your products. You can also use such messages as a lead magnet.
- Add clickable buttons to expand the message value.
- Use your bot to send customized cards stores in the platform's gallery to your customers.
- Use the Delay block to decide the appropriate time for the bot to send messages.
Such questions are displayed on the Live Chat page, where you can take control of the conversation and talk directly to the customers.
A ManyChat developer can also program their chatbot to filter out potential messages from people not interested in contacting you. The platform can sort through messages in a chat to determine which user is interested in speaking with you and who’s just spamming your inbox.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP)
The platform’s AI and NLP let you bring your chatbot close to a human-like level with its responses. You can combine keywords and create specific answers for them.You also get to choose how the term is matched to their keyword function. However, intents and automated synonyms are not supported.
ManyChat Pros
ManyChat as a chatbot platform comes with the following benefits;
Simple UI
ManyChat’s simple UI is one of the platform’s strongest features. The interface allows you to do many things quite conveniently, including designing the chatbot, chatting with your contacts, viewing contact information, and so much more.Facebook Messenger support
Facebook Messenger has become the center of eCommerce and should remain so for the foreseeable future. This makes ManyChat’s ability to send messages and collect leads on the platform as an official partner very important. It's pretty much the best tool for automated marketing and customer service on Facebook.Valuable insights
ManyChat’s analytics are a source of valuable insight reports on the performance of a merchant’s chatbot. The detailed information lets you know where you stand and where you should move towards. This allows you to modify and strengthen your marketing strategy to attract more sales.Easy to send mass promotional materials
ManyChat allows you to send mass promotional materials with ease. For example, you can divide your audience into groups and send them messages simultaneously. You can also use the ‘Add’ button to send messages to several people at once and the ‘Attach’ button to include attachments in your messages.Straightforward chatbot builder
Building a chatbot isn’t easy, especially when coding skills are involved. ManyChat has tried to make it easier by using a drag-and-drop chatbot builder. Still, if you want to implement more features, you’ll need the help of a ManyChat developer.Finding an excellent ManyChat developer
ManyChat has more features than any other chatbot on Messenger. But to access these, you need a Pro subscription. And to make the most out of your subscription, you need a ManyChat developer with a high level of technical expertise. That said;Things to consider when trying to hire a ManyChat developer
When hiring a ManyChat developer, you should look at;- Reviews from previous projects: A good developer should have some social proof of what they can do. This is the best way to ensure that you don’t end up with a rookie whose underdeveloped skills will drive away valuable customers.
- Chatbot functionality: What level of functionality do you want your chatbot to have? If you want something complex, you should go for an expert ManyChat developer. And if you’re looking for something decent, you can always go for someone who can implement the core stuff quite well.
- Size of your business and target audience: Generally, the bigger your business, the more advanced you’ll want your chatbot to be. Thus, you should go for a more experienced developer.
Where to find a good ManyChat developer
There are many places where you can find a ManyChat developer for your business. These include;- Social media groups: Facebook and Linkedin groups are excellent for finding professionals in any particular field. So, just head over to a group for developers and post an ad for a ManyChat developer.
- Craiglist: You can also head over to Craiglist and put up a job ad for a ManyChat developer.
- Referrals: If you know other entrepreneurs in your space, you can always ask them to connect you with their ManyChat developer.
- Freelancing platforms: These are perhaps the most popular source of labor today. Some, like Legiit, are also the best place to find a ManyChat developer.
Hire your ManyChat developer today
Legiit makes it easy to find your ideal developer. All you have to do is go through our selection of chatbot developers on the platform.You can easily see their number of completed projects, what customers say about their services, and how much they charge. You’ll also have the chance to interview them through Legiit’s chat feature. So, sign up today if you haven’t already.
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