Building a chatbot funnel that actually converts? Yeah, it’s tough. Let’s not sugarcoat it. Whether trying to boost conversions or skyrocket your customer service, this ain’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” affair. But, if you use the right approach (and stop making lazy mistakes), you’ll build a chatbot for sales that cuts conversion time like a machete through butter.
And look, we’re not here to baby-step you through this. You’ve already Googled your way into the basics, right? You get it. Now, let’s tackle how to actually sell with your chatbot.
Chatbot Funnels: Why Your Website is Failing You
Imagine this: you walk into a store, and a sales rep sort of points you in the right direction. They wave vaguely toward the back like you’re supposed to get it. “TVs? Yeah, aisle 6,” they mumble, then ghost you.
That’s your website these days if you’re not using a chatbot. You’ve got menus, buttons, and links — but they’re as useless as a fridge in the Arctic if your visitor doesn’t know what they’re looking for. Your website basically says: “Go figure it out yourself, good luck!”
Now picture the dream: You walk in, and instead, the rep says, “What size TV? What features are you into? What’s your budget?” and leads you by the hand to the perfect match. That’s a chatbot in a nutshell.
So why, in 2024, are most businesses still throwing users into the deep end? They think funnels are something you click on, and then magic happens. Spoiler alert: Magic doesn’t pay the bills.
Step 1: Drive your website visitors to the chatbot
Chatbots don’t work if nobody’s talking to them. You can have the snazziest bot in the world, but if no one’s engaging with it, it’s just another digital tombstone on your website.
Here’s where chat funnels crush it. Instead of waiting for visitors to maybe click on your chat bubble, you nudge them. Better yet, shove them lovingly right into the funnel.
Let’s get tactical:
- Pop-ups? Dead. Replace them with conversational pop-ups. Instead of a generic “Join our newsletter,” offer something irresistible: “Need help finding the perfect X? Let me guide you.”
- Live chat takeover. If a prospect has been on the page for more than 10 seconds, have your chatbot pop up with a super specific question. No more of that “How can I help?” garbage. Something like, “Looking for help with your new X? Start here.”
But don’t just spam your visitors with chatbots every five seconds. That’s annoying. Create strategic entry points — a solid combo of Messenger Ads, social media swipe-ups, and sliders will get you better click rates.
Remember: Your chatbot isn’t just for support — it’s for sales. Own it.
Step 2: Qualify leads like a pro
Great, your chatbot’s live, and people are engaging, but now you’re stuck doing the internet equivalent of herding cats. The trick isn’t just starting a conversation but knowing where to take it.
Think of your chatbot as a bouncer at a nightclub. It’s not just letting anyone in; it’s qualifying leads. You’re going to ask questions. Smart ones. And if your bot’s still asking, “Can I help you?” — just burn it down and start over.
Instead, ask these to qualify:
- “Which product are you most interested in?”
- “What’s your budget?”
- “Are you looking for short-term solutions or long-term partners?”
You want them to self-segment because when your real sales team hops in, they’re not talking to time-wasters — they’re dealing with qualified leads.
Limit your chatbot’s questions to three max. Any more, and people check out. Fast.
Step 3: Automate follow-ups (Or get forgotten in 10 minutes)
Humans have the attention span of a goldfish. You don’t follow up quickly? They’ll ghost you. You need to automate immediate follow-ups for anyone who interacts with your chatbot. Here’s how:
Tag users based on their answers. For instance, if they’re interested in a high-ticket item, create a specific tag for “premium leads.” Then, follow up with personalized messaging:
- Leverage email and social media retargeting to hit them again. You can sync Messenger conversations with your CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) or retarget them on social media for the win.
- Use scarcity tactics: Automate time-sensitive offers. “Hurry, you’ve got 24 hours to claim your deal!” It’s old-school psychology, but damn, it works.
It’s not enough to start the conversation. You need to nurture it.
Step 4: Customer support without the headaches
If you aren’t providing stellar customer support, someone else will. But customer support teams aren’t cheap — and they definitely aren’t scalable.
Enter the Chatbot Customer Support Army.
Forget those 12-hour waits on hold with customer support reps. Your chatbot handles the basic FAQs: returns, tracking orders, and product information. It frees up your team for the real issues while making the customer journey smoother than ever.
Here’s what your bot should handle:
- Shipping updates: Automate these to remove 90% of your “Where’s my package?” inquiries.
- Refund requests: Simple logic trees can resolve 80% of refund requests.
- Tech support: Bots can guide users through troubleshooting without needing a full-time rep for every glitch.
Make sure your chatbot can escalate conversations when needed. Sometimes, bots fail (because they aren’t psychic…yet). Train it to hand over complex issues to your live team seamlessly.
Bot + human support = unstoppable.
Step 5: The funnel never ends
Your website isn’t the only battlefield for chat funnels. Social media is where the big wins are happening.
Consumers are lazy. They’re not going to dig through your website. They want answers fast — and they want them right in the app. This area is where social media chatbots crush it. Integrating your chatbot with Facebook Messenger, Instagram DMs, or even WhatsApp lets you offer a seamless chat experience right from your posts or stories.
Here’s the play:
- Instagram Stories: Set up “swipe-up” ads that funnel directly into your chatbot.
- Facebook Ads: Use Click-to-Messenger ads. They trigger instant conversations.
- YouTube or TikTok: Direct people to your chatbot with an easy-to-remember CTA (Call to Action).
It’s all about being where your customers already are. They’re already sliding into DMs; now they can slide into a sale.
Chat Funnels Work (If They Don’t Suck)
Look, this isn’t rocket science. It’s about being human. You’re crafting a chatbot that doesn’t just spit out nonsense — it’s guiding, engaging, and qualifying users with actual intelligence.
Your chatbot funnel works because:
- It personalizes the journey: Instead of a static page, you guide users in real time.
- It saves time: You filter out tire-kickers and fast-track the serious people.
- It scales: There is no need for endless support reps when bots can handle most inquiries.
- It keeps the convo going: Whether it’s follow-up emails, social media messages, or SMS blasts, your chatbot keeps prospects warm.
Now build that funnel — and make sure it doesn’t suck.
Ready to boost sales with a chatbot funnel that really works? Check out Manychat and build one today. You’ll wonder how you ever did business without it.
