Understanding the Flow Builder in AskSpot: A Comprehensive Guide
The Flow Builder in AskSpot is a powerful tool that allows you to create custom chatbot conversations tailored to your business needs. Whether you're automating customer service, scheduling appointments, or generating leads, the Flow Builder’s variety of blocks gives you the flexibility to guide conversations in an intuitive and user-friendly manner.
In this article, we’ll break down each block within the Flow Builder and explain how they can be used to build interactive and engaging chatbot experiences.
1. Message Block
The Message Block is the simplest type of block and is used to send a text-based message to the user. This can be anything from a greeting, a thank-you message, or instructions on how to use the chatbot.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Convey information or start a conversation.
2. Question Block
The Question Block prompts the user for input and saves their response as an attribute. Attributes are pieces of data that can be used later in the flow to personalize the conversation or complete actions like form submissions.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Gather specific information from users to customize their experience.
Attribute Example: You can save the user's response as an attribute called
budget.
3. Multiple Choice Block
The Multiple Choice Block presents users with a predefined set of options. This type of block is perfect when you want to offer the user multiple choices to guide the next steps in the conversation. The user can select only one option to continue the flow.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Limit: You can have a maximum of 4 options.
4. New Option Block
A New Option Block is used within a Multiple Choice Block to define additional choices. It helps users navigate to different parts of the conversation flow based on their selection.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Direct users to different flows based on their selection.
5. Image Block
The Image Block allows you to display an image to the user. It’s an excellent way to make your chat more visually engaging, whether you’re showcasing products, sharing a chart, or highlighting content.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Enhance the user experience through visual elements.
6. Video Block
With the Video Block, you can embed videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or Loom, or upload your own video file. Videos are great for tutorials, welcome messages, or product demonstrations.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Recommended Resolution: 375 px by 212 px.
7. URL Block
The URL Block allows you to redirect the user to an external webpage or resource. This block is useful when you want to share a link to more detailed information or send the user to a landing page.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Direct the user to a web page for more information.
8. Form Block
The Form Block imports pre-created forms into the flow. These can be opt-in forms or any type of user input form that you want to collect specific information through.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Gather more detailed user data within the chatbot interaction.
9. Flow Block
The Flow Block enables you to call other flows that you’ve created within AskSpot, making your conversation more organized. For example, you can have a flow dedicated to booking appointments and another for customer support, both of which can be seamlessly integrated into a main flow.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Organize complex chatbot interactions by breaking them into smaller flows.
10. Gallery Block
The Gallery Block presents a collection of images or items in a visually appealing format. This is ideal for showcasing a range of products, services, or testimonials.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Offer a carousel-like experience to showcase multiple items or services.
11. Webhook Block
The Webhook Block connects the chatbot to external systems, allowing it to send and receive data. This block can be used to push form data to a CRM, send an email notification, or integrate with other apps via APIs like Google Sheets or Zapier.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Seamlessly integrate with third-party platforms to store or process user data.
12. AI Mode Block
The AI Mode Block lets the user interact directly with the AI, temporarily exiting the structured flow. This allows the chatbot to answer free-form questions and provide dynamic responses, making the conversation feel more flexible and natural.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)Purpose: Allow the AI to handle user queries outside the structured flow for a more personalized interaction.
13. Audio Block
The Audio Block allows you to upload an audio file (up to 10MB) or link to an external audio URL to provide auditory information. This block is perfect for offering voice instructions, product demos, or personalized messages.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)
Purpose: Deliver engaging audio messages such as podcast previews, instructions, or updates.
14. Button Block
The Button Block adds an interactive button that can either link to an external URL or trigger another flow. You can fully customize the button's title, text color, background color, and even add delays for a more dynamic flow.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)
Purpose: Direct users to other flows or external links with a clickable, customizable button.
15. Event Scheduler Block
The Event Scheduler Block allows you to create a scheduling feature within your chatbot. It integrates with external calendar platforms like Google Calendar or Outlook, enabling users to book appointments, meetings, or events directly through the chatbot. You can customize the available time slots, set reminders, and even sync booked events to your preferred calendar system.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)
Purpose:
Provide a seamless way for users to schedule events, consultations, or appointments without leaving the chatbot interaction, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
16. Loop Block
The Loop Block allows you to repeat a specific section of the chatbot flow until a defined condition is met. This is particularly useful for creating dynamic, repetitive interactions.
Use Case:
(Watch the use case here)
Purpose:
Enable the chatbot to repeatedly prompt users to handle iterative processes seamlessly within the conversation flow.
How to Leverage These Blocks in Your Chatbot
By understanding and effectively utilizing these blocks, you can create a seamless, interactive chatbot experience. For example, you might start with a Message Block welcoming the user, followed by a Question Block to gather essential information like their name or preferences. From there, use a Multiple Choice Block to help them choose from different service offerings, and even integrate an Image Block or Video Block to make the interaction more engaging.
To further enhance your chatbot, the Webhook Block allows you to send data to external systems, while AI Mode adds a layer of flexibility to handle dynamic queries. With a Form Block, you can collect detailed user input, and the Gallery Block allows you to showcase your products visually.
Conclusion
The Flow Builder in AskSpot offers a wide range of blocks that enable you to design sophisticated chatbot experiences tailored to your specific needs. Whether you're looking to provide customer support, automate lead generation, or showcase products, the Flow Builder’s intuitive interface and variety of tools make it easy to build a chatbot that engages and converts. By combining different blocks strategically, you can create a chatbot that not only guides the conversation but also collects valuable information, provides detailed content, and connects seamlessly with your existing systems.
