A chatbot is a type of AI-based program that mimics human conversation. They function as virtual assistants that are familiar with human abilities, comprehend the user's intent, and provide rapid answers to questions and solutions to problems.

According to Forbes, approximately 80% of marketers intend to employ chatbots to elevate their business operations. And for this, they opt for the type of chatbot that meets their needs. Listed below are the common types of chatbots that businesses deploy in their IT infrastructure.  

1. Button or Menu-based Chatbots

The simplest and slowest chatbots available today are those that use buttons or menus to guide users to the intended outcome. To acquire the best choice, customers must make a number of choices, though.

In approximately 80% of support inquiries, menu-based chatbots are well-programmed to respond to FAQs; however, they fall short in those scenarios when they require too much information to respond to customers' requests.

2. Rule-based Chatbots

A rule-based chatbot is appropriate for your company if you can anticipate the kinds of queries your customers would ask. Regrettably, rule-based chatbots take a long time to construct and rely on if/then logic to structure the interaction.

Businesses must specify the linguistic requirements for rule-based chatbots—requirements (evaluate the word order, synonyms, and many other things). The consumer can then quickly get the needed response if they submit any enquiry that meets the criteria set by the chatbot.

3. Machine Learning Chatbots

Have you ever given a contextual chatbot some thought? This kind of chatbot employs machine learning and artificial intelligence to recall interactions it had with a particular user. ML chatbots are capable of improving themselves based on the questions and the manner in which they are being asked by users. They have contextual awareness.

For instance, a contextual chatbot that assists a customer in placing a meal order would keep track of each conversation's data and so know what the consumer often prefers to order. So ultimately, bots will be able to provide culinary suggestions based on previously recorded information or inquire about repeating the purchase.

4. Keyword Recognition-based Chatbots

The ability to listen to what users are typing and answer appropriately is a strength of keyword recognition-based chatbots. To give the customer the right response, these chatbots employ Natural Language Processing (NLP) and keywords that can be customized. However, they frequently fall short when answering numerous questions that are similar. When there is keyword repetition across several related inquiries, NLP chatbots tend to falter.

5. The Hybrid Model

Businesses typically appreciate the intelligence of AI-chatbots but frequently lack the talent or vast amounts of data necessary to support them. They choose the hybrid approach as a result because it combines the best aspects of both: the ease of use of rules-based chatbots and the complexity of AI chatbots.

6. Voicebots

A chatbot with vocal capabilities offers clients a seamless experience. Due to its convenience, organizations are starting to use voice-based chatbots to make the conversational interface more natural. It is far simpler for a consumer to speak than to type.

The demands of customers have increased over time. AI chatbots assist organizations in upholding customers' seamless and smooth expectations. Here, chatbots are essential for increasing productivity and offering clients flawless services.