Functional chatbot examples for any business in 2024

What are chatbots?

Chatbots are digital assistants that simulate conversations with human users on apps or websites. Essentially, computer programs use simple rules and clever AI to mimic human chat when responding to questions, providing information to guide us through tasks, or just conversing with us. Some chatbots are basic, some learn and adapt, but all aim to make our digital lives more accessible and engaging, one conversation at a time.

The 15 best chatbot examples

1. Freshchat

Freshchat emerges as a revolutionary force in real-time customer engagement. By harnessing the power of Freddy AI, Freshchat takes customer communication to new heights, offering intelligent, instant messaging capabilities that are both user-friendly and feature-rich. It ensures that every conversation is informed by insights across the customer's journey, from initial contact to ongoing support.

Key Features

• Real-time Messaging: Instantly connect with customers through your website, delivering swift and effective responses to their questions and enhancing overall engagement.

• Omnichannel Presence: Be where your customers are. Freshchat’s seamless integration across various platforms, such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and Apple Business Chat, unifies communication into a single, accessible hub.

• AI-powered Assistance: Freddy AI's intelligent engine personalizes each conversation, offering relevant product recommendations and support while easily handling routine inquiries, thus optimizing your team's focus on complex tasks.

• Context-rich Conversations: Dive into a wealth of customer data during interactions to provide more personalized and informed responses, making each conversation count.

• Seamless Integration: Freshchat’ss compatibility with other Freshworks products and third-party services enriches your customer support toolkit, fostering a collaborative and informed support environment.

• Advanced Analytics: Gain deep insights into customer satisfaction and agent performance. This analytical approach helps tailor customer experiences, refine marketing strategies, and elevate service quality.

2. Capital One’s Eno

Eno uses AI to comprehend and quickly answer customers’ questions about their accounts. It also lets customers complete tasks like paying bills and keeping track of their credit usage. 

Key features

• Available 24/7 online, via text or mobile app

• Lets customers check balances, pay bills, freeze cards and more

• Understands emojis, abbreviations, and natural language

• Provides spending insights, creates virtual cards and sends fraud alerts

3. Sephora’s Kik

Sephora's Kik chatbot offers shoppers a fun and personalized way to explore products and get expert advice, all within their favorite messaging app. 

Key features

• Uses a quiz to hone in on shoppers’ beauty preferences

• Provides product suggestions, makeup tips and tutorials

• Enables shoppers to purchase recommended products 

• Provides access to exclusive events and Q&A sessions with beauty experts

• Lets users connect with other beauty enthusiasts in the Kik community

4. Starbucks Barista

The Starbucks Barista chatbot takes coffee orders by voice or text via a mobile app, letting customers skip lines and personalize their drinks with ease.

Key features

• Enables customers to tweak their drink orders with a range of options

• Makes reordering favorites fast and easy

• Takes mobile payments 

• Sends alerts when drinks are ready for pickup

5. Hilton’s Connie

Connie, named after the hotel chain’s founder, helps travellers find hotels, get answers to FAQs, and even request extra towels or room service through text-based conversations on their mobile devices.

Key features

• Answers questions about hotel amenities and services

• Assists with basic requests like taking room service orders, requests for towels or arranging transportation

• Learns user preferences and suggests activities, restaurants and experiences

• Communicates in several languages

6. Woebot

Designed for mental health support, Woebot uses cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to offer guidance and emotional support through text-based conversations.

Key features

• Responds to users’ feelings and experiences in a supportive way

• Helps users identify and manage negative thoughts and emotions

• Offers encouragement and motivation to help users reach their goals

• Provides resources and information on mental health and well-being

• Tracks user progress over time

7. Florence

Florence is the World Health Organization’s AI-powered health worker who empowers users to make healthier choices. 

Key features

• Provides science-based advice on various health topics

• Tailors advice and support to suit user needs

• Combats misinformation with accurate and reliable information

• Available in multiple languages

• Continuously evolving with ongoing development

8. Ada Bot

This AI-powered health chatbot assists users with symptom analysis and guides them toward appropriate care based on their answers to a series of questions. 

Key features

• Analyzes user symptoms across various categories to understand potential causes and severity

• Provides tailored health information based on specific symptoms and demographics

• Gives recommendations for self-care, contacting a doctor or visiting urgent care, depending on the assessment

• Protects data with industry-standard security measures and HIPAA compliance

• Available in multiple languages to cater to a diverse user base

9. Google Bard

This large language model from Google AI engages users with informative and creative conversations, offering comprehensive answers to questions.

Key features

• Answers questions in an informative way, even open-ended questions

• Generates different creative text formats like letters, emails, musical pieces, poems, code and scripts

• Learns and adapts over time to provide personalized responses

10. ChatGPT

Developed by OpenAI, this chatbot understands requests and responds in various writing styles, refining conversations based on user preferences.

Key features

• Answers questions and participates in discussions on diverse topics

• Generates text in a variety of formats

• Enables users to tailor response length, format and tone

• Refines its responses and adapts to user communication style

11. Domino’s Pizza Bot Dom

Dom, Domino's chatbot, makes ordering pizza via Facebook Messenger, text, or voice a breeze. Customers can easily place orders, track their delivery, and even repeat their last order, simplifying the ordering process to just a few clicks or messages.

Key features

• Easy order placement through Messenger, text, and voice commands

• Order tracking from preparation to delivery

• Quick re-ordering of favorite meals

• User-friendly interface for a seamless experience

12. Duolingo’s Language Learning Bot

Duolingo offers a chatbot for users to practice new languages in a conversational setting. These bots provide a safe space for learners to practice without the fear of making mistakes in front of real people.

Key features

• Supports multiple languages for practice

• Offers corrective feedback to improve learning

• Simulates real-life conversations for better language practice

• Encourages daily practice with engaging dialogues

13. HealthTap’s Doctor Bot

HealthTap's Doctor Bot provides immediate medical advice from doctors. Users can ask health-related questions and receive answers, learn about symptoms, or even get advice on treatment options before deciding to visit a doctor.

Key features

• Immediate medical advice from real doctors

• Symptom checking and preliminary diagnosis

• Advice on whether to seek professional medical treatment

• Accessible via mobile app for health inquiries on the go

14. Amtrak’s Ask Julie

Amtrak's "Ask Julie" is a virtual assistant chatbot that helps passengers find train schedules, book tickets, and provide information about stations, services, and promotions.

Key features

• Instant train schedules and booking options

• Detailed station and service information

• Promotional offers and travel tips

• Available 24/7 for customer inquiries

15. Bank of America’s Erica

Erica, Bank of America's virtual financial assistant, offers personalized banking services to millions of users. Erica helps customers manage their finances by providing balance information, bill payment reminders, credit report updates, and simple transaction capabilities through natural language processing.

Key features

• Personalized financial insights and guidance

• Natural language processing for easy interaction

• Bill payment reminders and scheduling

• Credit score updates and financial advice

• Secure and convenient banking transactions

What are the benefits of chatbots?

Chatbots are rapidly making their mark on the world, offering a unique blend of convenience, efficiency, and engagement for businesses and individuals alike. Here are some of the key benefits they bring to the table:

1. 24/7 Availability: Unlike human representatives, chatbots never sleep. They can provide instant assistance or information around the clock, regardless of time zone or holidays. This is invaluable for customers seeking answers after hours or for businesses aiming to streamline global operations.

2. Personalized Interactions: Chatbot software can be programmed to remember user preferences and past interactions, allowing them to deliver personalized experiences. This could involve recommending relevant products, providing tailored information or recognizing returning customers. Such personalization strengthens engagement and fosters brand loyalty.

3. Efficiency and Cost Savings: Chatbots can automate repetitive tasks like answering FAQs, booking appointments or processing simple requests. This frees up human agents to handle more complex inquiries and saves businesses time and money. Additionally, chatbots can operate at scale, handling multiple conversations simultaneously.

4. Improved Customer Service: Chatbots can offer quick and helpful responses to common customer questions, reducing wait times and frustration. They can also collect valuable feedback and data, providing insights to improve customer service further. Chatbots can even handle simple complaints, offering resolutions or escalating issues to human agents when necessary.

5. Accessibility and Reach: Chatbots can be integrated into various platforms like websites, mobile apps and messaging services, making them accessible to a wide audience. This expands reach and removes geographical barriers, allowing businesses to interact with customers anywhere in the world.

6. Entertainment and Education: Chatbots aren't limited to customer service. They can be used for entertainment purposes, providing interactive gaming experiences or engaging in witty conversations. Chatbots can also be educational tools, delivering information in a fun and interactive way, especially for younger audiences.

Overall, chatbots offer a unique set of benefits that can revolutionize how businesses interact with customers and how individuals access information and interact with technology. As these AI-powered assistants continue to evolve, we can expect even more innovative and impactful applications to emerge in the future.

What can chatbots be used for? 

Chatbots are similar to AI virtual assistants but less advanced. AI virtual assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri are capable of performing numerous tasks, including processing complex queries, managing smart home devices and scheduling appointments. Chatbots handle more specific tasks like information retrieval, customer support and order tracking. 

Today, chatbots are being leveraged in many different industries, including e-commerce, banking, hospitality, food, retail, human resources and others. Let’s move on to the next sections, where we discuss the applications of chatbots across different industries and companies.

1. Provide instant answers to customers

Chatbots are revolutionizing how companies answer customer questions, offering instant, 24/7 support across industries. Here's how these AI-powered assistants are changing the game with instant answers to questions in retail, healthcare, finance, travel and customer service.

Retail: Sephora's virtual artist chatbot helps customers find the perfect shade of lipstick and other makeup through personalized quizzes and product recommendations. Imagine a shopper asking, "What foundation matches my skin tone?" and the bot suggesting options based on their preferences and past purchases.

Healthcare: Cleveland Clinic has a chatbot that answers basic medical questions, schedules appointments and even offers mental health resources. Imagine a patient asking, "What are the symptoms of a migraine?" and the bot provides informative answers while booking them a telehealth appointment.

Finance: Bank of America's chatbot Erica® answers account balance inquiries, explains mortgage options and guides users through loan applications. Imagine a customer asking, "What's the best savings plan for my child?" and the bot compares options and suggests the most suitable one.

Travel: Marriott's chatbot helps guests book reservations, answer hotel questions and even recommend local attractions. Imagine a traveler asking, "What are the must-see museums in Barcelona?" and the bot suggesting curated itineraries based on their interests.

Customer Service: Freshworks' Freshchat, powered by Freddy AI, handles a wide array of customer inquiries, from order details to returns and technical support. Picture a customer inquiring about a shipment – Freshchat swiftly offers real-time tracking information and estimated delivery times. This efficiency not only enhances customer satisfaction but also allows human agents to concentrate on resolving more intricate issues.

These are just a few examples. Companies like Shopify, Slack and HubSpot are also leveraging chatbots to answer product questions, provide technical support and improve onboarding experiences.

2. Answer customer FAQs

Delete the outdated FAQ page and welcome the interactive AI-powered chatbot. FAQ chatbots are revolutionizing how websites answer questions, offering a dynamic and personalized experience instead of static lists. Here's the shift:

From passive to proactive: Gone are days of endlessly scrolling through FAQ sections. Free chatbots proactively engage users, prompting with common questions or offering help based on browsing behavior. Imagine landing on a clothing website, and the chatbot pops up asking, "Need help finding the perfect dress?"

From generic to tailored: No more one-size-fits-all answers. Chatbots leverage natural language processing to understand user intent and deliver personalized responses. Imagine a customer asking about return policies, and the chatbot instantly guiding them based on their specific purchase history.

From static to adaptive: Chatbots learn and evolve with every interaction, constantly updating their knowledge base with new questions and relevant answers. This ensures users always get the most accurate and up-to-date information.

From text to conversation: Say goodbye to robotic scripts. Chatbots can now engage in natural, conversational interactions, mimicking human dialogue and making the experience feel more like a friendly chat than a technical query.

From monolingual to multilingual: The world is your audience. Multilingual chatbots can be programmed to answer questions in multiple languages, breaking down language barriers and reaching a wider customer base.

Yes, there may be complex backend algorithms at play, but for users, it's simple: ask a question, get an answer. This intuitive interaction replaces the need for a static FAQ page, creating a dynamic and engaging information hub that evolves with your business and grows with your users. So, embrace the conversation, welcome the chatbots, and watch your website or app transform into a living, breathing knowledge center.

3. Qualify online leads

In today's digital landscape, turning website visitors into paying customers is a delicate dance. You want to engage them, nurture their interest, and ultimately qualify them as leads worth pursuing. But who has the time to chat with every curious clicker? That's where chatbots come in, stepping onto the digital stage as your tireless assistants in the lead qualification game.

Conversational roadblocks: Why traditional methods fall short

Before chatbots, lead qualification often relied on clunky forms and impersonal email blasts. These methods continue to be used, but they have their limitations which include:

• Lengthy forms with endless fields leave visitors fleeing, abandoning their carts and your precious leads.

• Generic outreach ignores individual needs and interests, leaving prospects feeling unheard and undervalued.

• Traditional methods struggle to gather nuanced insights into a visitor's motivations and buying stage.

Enter the chatbots: From casual chats to conversion champions

Chatbots address these hurdles head-on, transforming fleeting website visits into meaningful conversations that reveal a visitor's true potential:

• Frictionless engagement: Chatbots greet visitors with a friendly interface, encouraging casual interaction without intimidating forms.

• Personalized pathways: By asking targeted questions and analyzing responses, chatbots tailor the conversation to each visitor's needs and interests, building rapport and trust.

• Data-driven decisions: Chatbots gather valuable data on buying intent, budget and pain points, equipping your sales team with the insights they need to prioritize and convert qualified leads.

Beyond basic bots: The power of AI and machine learning

Modern chatbots go beyond simple keyword recognition. They leverage AI and machine learning to:

• Understand natural language: They can interpret the nuances of human conversation, responding to questions and requests in a natural, engaging way.

• Learn and adapt: Over time, chatbots become more adept at identifying qualified leads, continuously refining their qualification criteria based on successful conversions.

• Integrate with CRM systems: Seamlessly transfer qualified lead data to your CRM, ensuring your sales team has the hottest prospects at their fingertips. To maximize the benefits of these integrations, it's important to explain CRM concepts thoroughly to your team.

The future of lead qualification: A human-bot harmony

While chatbots excel at initial qualification, the human touch remains irreplaceable. By combining the efficiency of chatbots with the expertise of your sales team, you create a powerful lead qualification engine:

• Chatbots handle the high volume of initial inquiries, freeing up your sales team for deeper conversations with qualified leads.

• Human expertise is leveraged to refine chatbot qualification criteria and ensure accurate lead scoring.

• The combined effort creates a seamless customer journey, nurturing leads from curious clicks to converted customers.

So, are you ready to embrace the conversational AI revolution? Chatbots are not just the future of lead qualification, they're the key to unlocking the full potential of your online audience. They pave the way for personalized interactions, data-driven insights and, ultimately, a smoother, more efficient path to conversion. So, step aside static web forms, and let the chatbots take the stage. The future of lead qualification is here, and it's powered by conversation.

4. Improve the customer journey 

The customer journey is no longer a linear path; it's a winding maze of touch points and expectations. And in this labyrinth, chatbots are emerging as friendly tour guides, smoothing the way and enhancing the experience at every turn. Here's how:

From frustration to instant gratification: No more navigating call menus or waiting on hold. Chatbots provide immediate support, 24/7, answering simple questions about orders, tracking updates, and resolving minor issues. Imagine a frustrated shopper stuck with the wrong size – a chatbot instantly offers exchange options, transforming irritation into relief.

From one-size-fits-all to personalized care: Chatbots aren't robots reciting scripts. They analyze user data and learn from interactions, offering personalized recommendations and tailoring responses to individual needs. Picture a hesitant traveler unsure which tour to choose – a chatbot suggests options based on their interests and budget, creating a customized journey.

From reactive to proactive: Chatbots don't just wait for questions. They anticipate needs and offer solutions before issues arise. Imagine a banking app chatbot reminding a customer about an upcoming bill payment, preventing late fees and saving them hassle. Proactive assistance builds trust and keeps customers ahead of the curve.

From robotic to empathetic: Conversational AI chatbots are evolving beyond cold, sterile interactions. They can recognize sentiment, offer gentle empathy and de-escalate frustrations. Picture a customer venting about a delayed flight – a chatbot's calm and understanding response can soothe tempers and rebuild trust. Emotional intelligence adds a human touch to the digital experience.

From siloed to seamless: Chatbots connect disparate parts of the customer journey. They hand off complex issues to human agents seamlessly, providing continuity and ensuring a smooth transition. Imagine a chatbot quickly resolving a basic query and then connecting the customer to a product specialist for expert advice. A united front builds confidence and keeps the journey flowing.

Chatbots are not magic wands, but they are powerful tools shaping the future of customer experiences. By providing instant answers, anticipating needs and personalizing interactions, they transform frustration into convenience, confusion into clarity, and every touchpoint into an opportunity to delight. So, welcome the bots, embrace the conversational revolution, and watch your customer journeys reach new heights of satisfaction.

5. Answer questions in multiple languages

As we already mentioned, multilingual chatbots are breaking down language barriers across industries. These AI-powered assistants are dissolving borders and fostering understanding across diverse industries:

Travel & Tourism: Imagine a Japanese tourist in Paris asking, "Quelle est la meilleure boulangerie à proximité?" A chatbot, fluent in both English and French, readily recommends nearby bakeries, translating menu options and hours of operation.

Healthcare: Multilingual chatbots serve as invaluable bridges in multicultural hospitals. They answer patients' questions about medication, procedures and discharge instructions, providing reassurance and clarity regardless of their native tongue.

Banking & Finance: Explaining complex financial concepts can be challenging across languages. Chatbots break down barriers by offering loan information, account summaries, and investment guidance in the user's preferred language.

Retail & E-commerce: Shopping online transcends borders, but understanding product descriptions and sizing might not. Multilingual chatbots assist global customers with their purchases, recommending items and resolving queries in their language, boosting sales and satisfaction.

Customer Service: From airlines to telecoms, chatbots bridge the gap between diverse customer bases. They handle common inquiries, schedule appointments and provide technical support in multiple languages, streamlining operations and reducing wait times.

Beyond answering questions, these multilingual chatbots gather valuable data on user preferences and language-specific trends. This empowers businesses to personalize content, refine marketing campaigns and tailor services to diverse audiences.

Multilingual chatbots are more than just conversation starters; they're catalysts for cultural understanding and global engagement. By dissolving language barriers and providing readily available information, they're making the world a more connected and accessible place, one question at a time.

6. Personalize customer responses 

Chatbots are no longer just robotic answer machines that respond with scripted answers. Today, they leverage AI and data to deliver personalized services tailored to individual users. Here are four ways chatbots are exceeding expectations:

• Adaptive recommendations: Imagine a travel chatbot suggesting personalized itineraries based on a customer’s past travel preferences, budget and travel style.

• Proactive assistance: Think of a banking chatbot anticipating a customer’s need for a loan renewal based on their financial history and offering helpful information before they even ask. 

• Contextual conversations: Picture a healthcare chatbot remembering a patient’s medical history and preferences during follow-up consultations, leading to more efficient and relevant interactions. No more repeating basic information every time.

• Emotionally intelligent support: Imagine an emotional support chatbot analyzing someone’s tone and responding with empathy and understanding, providing personalized guidance and resources for mental well-being like a compassionate friend.

These are just a few examples; the possibilities are endless. From educational bots tailoring learning paths to shopping bots suggesting products based on customer browsing history, personalized service is the future of chatbots. They're no longer one-size-fits-all. They're becoming AI concierges, anticipating needs and exceeding expectations with a touch of personalized magic.

Why you need a chatbot for your business

Chatbots are no longer futuristic gimmicks. Instead, they're powerful tools both for B2B and B2C success. By integrating them into your strategy, you can unlock 24/7 accessibility, personalized interactions and data-driven insights, ultimately boosting customer satisfaction, employee productivity and even your bottom line. So, are you ready to let chatbots answer your customers' questions and transform your customer interactions?

Elevate your brand with Freshchat

Unlock the full potential of your customer support with Freshchat, your one-stop solution for creating a help desk that’s a perfect reflection of your brand. Personalize every aspect of your customer service portal with easy-to-use tools that require no coding, or dive into advanced customizations for those who desire finer control. With responsive design, white labeling, and multilingual support, you can provide a seamless and engaging experience to customers worldwide. Ready to set your brand apart and deliver unparalleled customer service? Discover the Freshchat now.