Setting Up Welcome Messages for Your Chatbot

Welcome messages are the first interaction users have with your chatbot, setting the tone for the entire conversation. FlowHunt AIStudio offers three flexible approaches to create engaging welcome experiences that can be customized for different use cases.

How Welcome Messages Work

All welcome messages in FlowHunt chatbots are built using a Chat Opened Trigger. Think of this as a special “start button” that automatically activates when someone clicks on your chat widget to begin a conversation. It’s like having a doorbell that rings every time a visitor arrives - the Chat Opened Trigger detects when a new chat session starts and immediately displays your welcome message.

This trigger works behind the scenes, so your users don’t need to do anything special. They simply click your chat button, and your personalized greeting appears instantly.

Types of Welcome Messages

1. Chat Opened Trigger with Message Widget

The most straightforward approach uses a Message Widget with a Chat Opened Trigger to display a consistent welcome message every time a new chat session begins.

How it works:

• Configure the Message Widget in your flow settings
• Assign a custom message that appears automatically when users open a new chat
• Combine with Button Widgets to provide clickable options for users

Best for: Standard greetings, consistent branding, and providing users with clear next steps or menu options.

Example setup:

Message: "Welcome to our AI assistant! How can I help you today?"
Buttons: ["Product Information", "Support", "General Questions"]

2. Chat Opened Trigger with Generator

For dynamic, personalized welcome experiences, use a Generator component that creates unique messages for each new session.

How it works:

• Set up a system message with a custom prompt
• The generator creates fresh content every time a chat opens
• Perfect for creative, engaging, or contextually relevant greetings

Best for: Creative applications, daily content, personalized experiences, or when you want to surprise and delight users.

Example setup:

Generator prompt: "Generate a random poem of the day and greet the user"
Result: Each session gets a unique, AI-generated poem as a welcome message

3. Prompt Template Component Integration

When Message Widgets aren’t compatible with your specific flow requirements, combine Prompt Template Components for maximum flexibility.

How it works:

• Use Prompt Templates to structure dynamic welcome content
• Integrate with other components for complex welcome sequences
• Allows for conditional logic and advanced customization

Best for: Complex flows, conditional welcomes based on user data, or when you need advanced template functionality.

Configuration Best Practices

Message Widget Approach

1. Keep it concise: Users should quickly understand their options
2. Include clear CTAs: Use button combinations to guide user actions
3. Test consistency: Ensure your message aligns with your brand voice

Generator Approach

1. Define clear parameters: Your generator prompt should have specific guidelines
2. Set appropriate tone: Match the creativity level to your use case
3. Consider context: Ensure generated content remains relevant and helpful

Prompt Template Approach

1. Plan your logic: Map out conditional scenarios before building
2. Test edge cases: Verify behavior with different user inputs or states
3. Maintain fallbacks: Always include default messages for unexpected scenarios

Implementation Steps

1. Choose your approach based on your specific needs and user experience goals
2. Configure the trigger to activate on chat session start
3. Set up your content using the appropriate widget or component
4. Test thoroughly with different scenarios and user types
5. Monitor and iterate based on user engagement and feedback

Why Welcome Messages Matter

• First Impressions: Set expectations and establish your bot’s personality
• User Guidance: Help users understand how to interact with your AI
• Engagement: Encourage users to start meaningful conversations
• Branding: Reinforce your company’s voice and values from the first interaction

Troubleshooting Tips

• If welcome messages aren’t appearing, verify your Chat Opened Trigger is properly configured
• For generator-based welcomes, check that your prompts are specific enough to produce consistent quality
• When using prompt templates, ensure all variables are properly defined and have fallback values

Remember that welcome messages are often the difference between users engaging with your chatbot or leaving immediately. Choose the approach that best matches your users’ needs and your business objectives.