What is Chatbot?

What Is a Chatbot?

A chatbot is a software program designed to conduct conversations with human users through text or voice interfaces. Chatbots range from simple rule-based systems that follow scripted conversation flows to sophisticated AI-powered assistants that understand natural language, learn from interactions, and handle complex queries.

For businesses, chatbots represent a fundamental shift in how customer interactions are managed. Instead of requiring a human agent for every customer inquiry, chatbots handle routine questions and transactions automatically, providing instant responses at any time of day. This does not mean replacing human agents — it means freeing them to focus on complex issues that require human judgment and empathy.

Types of Chatbots

Rule-Based Chatbots These follow predefined conversation trees with scripted responses. If a user says "A," the chatbot responds with "B." They are predictable and easy to build but limited — they cannot handle questions outside their programmed scope.

AI-Powered Chatbots These use Natural Language Processing to understand user intent rather than relying on exact keyword matches. They can handle variations in how people ask questions and improve over time as they process more conversations.

Generative AI Chatbots The latest generation uses large language models (LLMs) to generate contextually appropriate responses rather than selecting from pre-written answers. They can handle open-ended conversations and provide more natural, helpful interactions.

Hybrid Chatbots Most modern business chatbots combine approaches — using AI for understanding intent, rules for critical processes (like transactions), and human handoff for complex issues.

Business Applications of Chatbots

Customer Support Chatbots handle frequently asked questions such as order status, return policies, account information, and troubleshooting steps. They provide instant, consistent responses 24/7. Studies show that chatbots can resolve 60-80% of routine customer inquiries without human intervention, dramatically reducing support costs.

Sales and Lead Generation Sales chatbots qualify leads by asking relevant questions, schedule meetings, provide product information, and guide prospects through the buying process. They ensure no lead goes unanswered, even outside business hours.

Internal Operations HR chatbots answer employee questions about policies, benefits, and procedures. IT helpdesk chatbots resolve common technical issues. Operations chatbots help employees find information or complete routine tasks.

E-Commerce Product recommendation chatbots help customers find products, check availability, compare options, and complete purchases. They act as virtual shopping assistants that can handle multiple customers simultaneously.

Appointment Scheduling Healthcare providers, service businesses, and professional firms use chatbots to manage appointment booking, rescheduling, and reminders without requiring staff time.

Chatbots in Southeast Asian Markets

Southeast Asia has emerged as one of the most active markets for chatbot adoption:

• Messaging platform dominance: WhatsApp, Line, Facebook Messenger, and Zalo are primary communication channels in ASEAN. Customers expect to interact with businesses on these platforms, making chatbots a natural fit
• Multi-language requirements: Chatbots serving ASEAN markets often need to operate in multiple languages. Platforms like Line (popular in Thailand) and Zalo (Vietnam) have their own chatbot ecosystems
• E-commerce growth: The rapid growth of e-commerce in Southeast Asia creates demand for chatbots that can handle high volumes of product inquiries and order-related questions
• SMB accessibility: Chatbot platforms with ASEAN language support have become increasingly affordable, with some offering free tiers suitable for small businesses
• Financial services: Banks and fintech companies across the region have deployed chatbots for balance inquiries, transaction history, and basic banking operations

Building a Successful Chatbot

A practical framework for chatbot implementation:

1. Define the scope clearly — Identify the specific conversations your chatbot should handle. Start narrow and expand over time. Trying to build a chatbot that handles everything usually results in a chatbot that handles nothing well
2. Map common conversations — Analyze your support logs to identify the top 20-30 questions and conversation patterns. These should be your chatbot's core capabilities
3. Design for handoff — Build a seamless process for transferring conversations from the chatbot to human agents when the chatbot cannot help. A bad handoff experience is worse than no chatbot at all
4. Choose the right platform — Consider where your customers are (WhatsApp, Line, web, etc.) and choose a chatbot platform that integrates with those channels
5. Test with real users — Run a pilot with a small segment of customers, collect feedback, and iterate before a broad launch
6. Measure and optimize — Track containment rate (percentage of conversations fully resolved by the chatbot), customer satisfaction, and handoff rate to continuously improve

Common Chatbot Mistakes to Avoid

• Pretending to be human — Customers should know they are talking to a chatbot. Transparency builds trust
• No human fallback — Always provide a way to reach a human agent
• Ignoring conversation data — Every chatbot conversation generates valuable data about customer needs and pain points
• Over-engineering — Start simple with the most common use cases before adding complexity
• Neglecting maintenance — Chatbots require ongoing updates to handle new questions, products, and policies