"Hi, thanks for vising! How can we help you today?" 

If you've seen those words, or words like them, displayed prominently in the corner of a website or mobile app, then you have seen a chatbot in action. These software applications simulate human speech and conversation patterns to direct, guide or troubleshoot problems for users, often as an alternative to a human agent.  

They are becoming increasingly popular with companies building out their websites or mobile apps, and users like them as well. Take a look at this collection of statistics from industry onlookers: 

• An estimated 1.4 billion people are using chatbots as of last year 

• 53% of organizations are expected to have implemented them by mid-2022

• More than half of the consumers surveyed say that chatbots have changed their expectations of customer service

• And a growing number report preferring chatbots to live human agents. 

These statistics provide helpful quantitative analysis of the landscape surrounding chatbots, but they don't answer the question on most business owners' minds: Why are chatbots beneficial? In this article, let's explore a few ways that chatbots can positively impact your business. 

Offer Swift Issue Management

Unless you have an overstaffed customer service department, you cannot always manage your customers' issues and objections in a timely fashion. However, in an increasingly on-demand world, your unavailability can signal apathy to customers. 

Chatbots let you deliver answers, manage objections and resolve issues quickly. They help build your reputation for customer service, thereby encouraging retention and loyalty. 

Boast 24/7 Support 

As a business owner, you want to nurture all possible leads, regardless of a consumer's schedule, visit frequency or time zone. 

Chatbots boast 24/7 support, so you can form meaningful relationships with customers regardless of the time of day. This is especially important for companies hoping to break into international markets who need to deliver support remotely to various time zones. 

Keep Customers Posted

Chatbots aren't just for putting out fires; they can be a powerful promotional tool as well. You can use chatbots to keep customers posted about product or service launches, deals and promotions, and new features of your business. 

If you need help implementing a chatbot that can deliver promotional messaging and support, find mobile app development services geared toward emerging technologies like AI. A quality mobile app developer will listen to your business needs and provide a chatbot solution that works for you. 

Potentially Increase Profits

Chatbots can potentially increase your profits in a couple of ways. First, as Forbes notes, chatbots have been shown to boost sales by 67% on average, with several of those sales starting through a chatbot interaction. 

Secondly, chatbots have been shown to drive productivity. Used internally, chatbots can aid in the onboarding process, streamline HR support, and allow knowledgeable employees to focus on their core competencies. 

Chatbots give your business a face, even when you or a live service team member isn't around to help. You can use them as a promotional tool, a means for facilitating international expansion, or a way to boost productivity. Talk to a mobile app developer about implementing chatbots as part of your overall customer service, marketing and HR strategy.