Have you ever used a smart home assistant like Amazon Echo, Google Home, or even Apple’s Siri? If you have, you’ve already experienced the shift towards conversational apps and bots that require no user interface of their own. These voice-controlled systems make it easy for users to interact without the need to press buttons or even look at a screen.
Around 29% of the Australian adult population uses a smart home assistant, with 68% choosing Google Home and 14% opting for Amazon Echo. Both systems allow people to play music, order food, shop online, manage calendars and perform a whole range of tasks. These are the tip of the iceberg for bots with no user interface.
What is a ‘No UI Bot or Conversational App’?
The voice-activated technology of Amazon Echo and Google Home is powered by artificial intelligence, essentially making them like a chatbot on steroids. Most companies will still need help from a chatbot agency. But it signals a shift towards a world where businesses and product developers will now consider piggybacking on other existing interfaces rather than developing costly apps of their own.
No-UI bots and apps are just as the name suggests. An app or chatbot that doesn’t have its own specific interface. Think of it like a product or service you can connect with, but you’re using an existing interface you’re already familiar with. Such as Facebook Messenger bots. By integrating a Facebook Messenger bot into your business, users can interact with you using a system they’re already familiar with.
How Do No UI Apps and Bots Help Businesses?
Businesses are now beginning to consider if they really need to develop their own specialised apps. While most still prefer to have their own website and app, no-UI bots and apps are on the rise.
For example, Amazon Echo operates with ‘skills’. Voice first development teaches the program how to understand and perform tasks. For example, integrating your products for sale on Amazon Echo is a ‘skill’. This gives you a new distribution channel where people can directly buy your products.
Another example is Facebook Messenger bots. This presents an opportunity for customers to reach you 24/7, and you haven’t gone to the expense of full chatbot development. Creating products with no UI gives you:
- Less design and development costs from your chatbot agency
- User satisfaction (no app download or new graphical interface to learn)
- Quicker development and launch
Also, the rise of no-UI products creates more opportunities to reach people. Most business still need website development and apps, but piggybacking on existing platforms is appealing. It gives you more reach, and similarly more chances to earn revenue.
Do Business Still Need a Chatbot Agency?
The answer is absolutely yes. The existing platforms such as Amazon and Google that operate with little or no UI have control of the market. By allowing businesses to piggyback onto their platforms, they keep people connected to their own business. However, companies will likely still want their own apps, their own websites and other sources of reaching their market. Certainly, in terms of building brand identity, it helps to have your own platforms that users can become familiar with.
However, No-UI platforms can be helpful for start-ups who don’t yet have the budget for full development. The idea of being able to launch a new product through Amazon Echo before going to further expense is quite appealing. Much in the way many successful online retailers first launched on eBay back in the day.
Speak to an Expert Chatbot Agency
Looking to harness the power of a chatbot to keep connected to your customers? Speak to the chatbot agency you can trust at Human Pixel today for the best advice.
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