A chatbot for business is software in a messenger or on a website that runs a scripted dialogue: captures a lead, answers FAQs, books a service, or hands off to a manager. It is not a fad toy but a tool to cut routine and avoid losing enquiries at night and during peak season.
What a bot can do
Typical scenarios for companies in Sochi and across Russia:
- capture a lead with name, phone, and service type;
- calculator or preliminary estimate;
- book a consultation or site visit;
- FAQ answers: prices, address, hours, parking;
- send price list, menu, catalogue;
- qualify a lead before a manager call;
- collect feedback after service.
If 80% of questions repeat, the bot pays back faster than it seems. See Telegram bot for leads for detail.
Where to place the bot
- **Telegram** — main channel for services, delivery, events, real estate; handy buttons and broadcasts.
- **Website widget** — client stays on the landing; can switch to Telegram.
- **VK** — if the audience is more active there.
- **Other messengers** — on request and audience fit.
The website and bot link covers one style, one funnel, shared analytics.
How NUGU launches bots full cycle
NUGU is a digital agency in Sochi. We build not only bot code but the chain: landing or site, bot, manager notifications, Metrica goals, and advertising in Direct when needed.
Stages:
- Brief: which action counts as success (lead, booking, payment).
- Dialogue map: branches, copy, back and "talk to a person" buttons.
- Message design in visual identity style if it exists.
- Development and testing on real phones.
- Integration: CRM, Google Sheets, email, team Telegram chat.
- Training: who sees leads, response SLA, what to do on failure.
See automation examples under services and in the portfolio.
Link to lead automation
The bot is part of lead automation: the lead does not die in DMs; it lands in a sheet or CRM with source tag. The manager sees whether the client came from the site, ads, or a QR on a business card.
Set up:
- notification to the sales Telegram chat;
- auto-reply "we received your request, we will reply within …";
- UTM retention if the user came from ads;
- fallback — phone or email if the bot is down.
GEO and chatbots
Generative search recommends companies with a clear contact path. State on the site and profiles: "apply via Telegram bot @…" or a "message the bot" button. That is a fact people and AI can cite.
For local Sochi business, add service district, office address, and map link to the bot flow. Concrete answers raise trust after a search or assistant recommendation.
Cost and price drivers
Factors: number of scenarios, languages, integrations, admin panel, payment link. A simple lead bot costs less than a CRM with dozens of branches. NUGU site reference: landing from 30 000 ₽; bots are often added in the same project — cheaper than two contractors.
Common mistakes
- Dialogue too long before the lead — users drop on step three.
- No "call" or "message a person" button.
- Bot silent at night while the site promises "24/7".
- Leads go to one employee's DMs on holiday.
- Bot copy disagrees with the site — different prices and terms.
- Not tested on iPhone and Android — buttons break.
Pre-launch checklist
- Scenario ends with a clear client action.
- Manager gets notification within a minute.
- Fallback contact exists.
- Copy checked legally if offer and personal data consent are required.
- Analytics connected: bot start, lead completion.
- Site button opens a working bot, not an empty account.
When a bot is not needed
If leads are few and every chat is unique — fix the website and phone first. A bot pays off with enquiry volume, seasonal peaks (tourism, renovation, events in Sochi), or when managers spend hours on the same answers.
Sample flow for a service company
Client taps "Leave a request" → picks service (renovation, design, cleaning) → selects district (Centre, Adler, Hosta) → leaves phone → gets confirmation and response time → manager sees a Telegram card tagged "from website". If the question is non-standard — "Call a manager" hands off to an operator without losing context.
Such a flow is 4–6 screens. Do not duplicate everything on the landing page: the bot captures contact and qualification; the page sells and proves expertise.
Security and personal data
The bot collects phones and sometimes email — personal data. The flow needs a privacy policy link and explicit consent if your lawyer requires it. Store lead logs in a protected sheet or CRM, not an admin's private chat.
NUGU sets permissions: who sees leads, who can edit bot copy, who gets notifications only. For companies with several Sochi offices you can route leads by district — Centre, Adler, Lazarevskoye — automatically.
Short summary
A chatbot removes routine from managers and catches enquiries at peak hours — typical for seasonal Sochi. At NUGU the bot is part of the "site → lead → CRM" chain, not an isolated script. Describe your scenario in contacts and we will propose a minimal viable launch without extra branches.
Discuss a chatbot for your task via contacts: describe channel, service type, and what should happen after "send".