Introduction
Welcome to the Authoring section of Botco.ai, the creative workspace where you bring your chatbot to life. Let us guide you through the powerful features that allow you to build and customize your bot's workflow, defining how it interacts with users. Whether you're crafting simple dialogues or complex skills, this is where your bot begins to take shape.
Overview
Authoring is the core of bot configuration, a place where you build up the specific workflows or skills that make your chatbot unique. It's structured logically to ensure that even those with no coding experience can create sophisticated, engaging chatbot conversations that feel personal and intuitive to the end user.
Features
Groups
Groups are collections of related topics, like "Check My Insurance" or "Find a Location," which help organize your chatbot’s conversational topics into manageable sections.
Blocks
Blocks are contained within Groups and hold the content — they're the building blocks of your chatbot's conversations. Each Block is dedicated to a specific part of the dialogue or a user interaction within a Group.
Cards
Cards are the content within Blocks, the actual messages your chatbot will display to users. They include text, images, videos, and more, allowing for a rich and dynamic conversational experience.
- Different Types of Cards
- Text Cards: Basic messages sent to users.
- Quick Replies: Predefined responses users can click on.
- Rich Media Cards: Include images, videos, and carousels to visually engage users.
- SMS Card: If you need to follow up the conversation via SMS, this card facilitates that.
- Delay Card: If you want to add a delay between cards to give users more time to read (we have an auto-delay built-in for text based cards).
- Attribute Card: Collect user information or preferences throughout the conversation.
- GoTo Card: Redirect the user to a different block based on the value assigned to attributes.
- Goal Card: Set financial or numerical objectives in your chatbot flows.
- API Card: For advanced functionalities, you can make API calls to external services.
- Data Submit Card: Send collected data at a specific point in the conversation.
- SMS Validation Card: Verify phone number collected prior to sending an SMS.
- Handover Card: Hand over the conversation to a live agent.
- InstaStack Card: Answer users questions using Generative AI applied on your data.
- SetAI Card: Lets you use AI to manipulate attribute data to your liking.
Inputs
Inputs are phrases that users might say during the conversation. You can assign them to blocks to trigger specific workflows. We also have an AI Assist feature to help you come up with new inputs.
In/Out Blocks
In Blocks are links to blocks that send users into the block you have currently selected. Out Blocks are links to blocks that send users out of the block you have currently selected and into a new block (the Out Block).
Forms
Forms allow for data collection and can be customized to capture the information you need from users, such as contact details or feedback.
Re-engagement
Re-engagement tools help you draw users back into the conversation if they've left or to follow up after a certain period.
Conclusion
The Authoring section is an intuitive, yet powerful tool designed to streamline the chatbot creation process. It empowers you to build a chatbot tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that each interaction is a step towards achieving your organizational goals. With Authoring, deploying a functional, interactive chatbot is only a matter of weeks, if not days.
FAQ Section
Q: Do I need programming skills to use the Authoring section? A: No, the Authoring section is designed to be user-friendly, allowing those without programming skills to build effective chatbots.
Q: Can I import workflows from other chatbots into the Authoring section? A: Yes, you can import predefined skills and workflows to streamline your chatbot development.
Q: How do I test the chatbot I've created in the Authoring section? A: You can use the Preview feature to simulate conversations and test your chatbot's responses.
Q: Is it possible to customize the chatbot’s responses based on user input? A: Absolutely. You can set up specific inputs to trigger different blocks, allowing for customized responses.
Q: What kind of data can I collect with Forms? A: You can customize Forms to collect any type of data you need, from email addresses to user preferences.
Q: Can the chatbot handle complex conversations with multiple variables? A: Yes, with the use of attributes, InstaStack, and/or API calls, the chatbot can handle complex interactions.
Q: How can I ensure the chatbot does not repeat the same information in a conversation? A: The chatbot's logic is designed to track the conversation flow, preventing repetitive information delivery.
Q: Can I set a goal value to a particular action within the chatbot conversation? A: Yes, you can assign a dollar value to specific goals, which is useful for tracking the ROI of your chatbot.
Q: What happens if the chatbot encounters an input it doesn't recognize? A: You can create a 'No Match' response to handle unrecognized inputs, ensuring the conversation flows smoothly.
Q: Is there support available if I run into issues while using the Authoring section? A: Yes, our team is available to assist you with any issues or questions you may have while using the platform.
For further assistance and advanced tips on using the Authoring section to its full potential, our support team is always ready to help you create the perfect chatbot for your needs.