⚡ Using Quick Replies in BotSailor: Capture User Inputs Instantly

Quick Replies in BotSailor are interactive response options that allow users to respond with a single tap. Unlike buttons, they disappear after being clicked and are perfect for capturing short inputs like phone numbers, emails, or location with minimal friction.

This documentation walks you through how to create a bot flow using Quick Replies, their use cases, and why you should use them.

🔧 Step-by-Step: Building a Quick Reply Bot Flow

1. Start with a Trigger Word

Component Used: Start Bot Flow
Trigger Word: qr
Match Type: Exact

This sets the entry point of the bot flow. When the user types “qr”, the bot is activated.

2. Add a Welcome Text Message

Component Used: Text
Message: “Welcome to BotSailor.”

This is the first response the bot sends, helping to greet and guide the user.

3. Add a Button for Testing

Component Used: Button
Button Text: “Test quick replies”

This button is connected to the next message and helps simulate a click to initiate the quick reply flow.

4. Add a Follow-Up Message

Component Used: Text
Message: “Quick Reply”

This adds context before displaying the actual quick reply option.

5. Attach a Quick Reply Component

Component Used: Quick Reply (from the top menu)
Reply Type: Phone

This allows the user to tap the quick reply and automatically submit their phone number. BotSailor captures this and stores it as a subscriber’s data.

6. Save and Test

Click the "Save" button from the top-right.
Go to Messenger and send the trigger word qr.
You will receive the bot's message along with the “Test quick replies” button.
Upon clicking it, you get the phone number quick reply, which is shared instantly.

💡 Why Use Quick Replies?

Feature	Benefit
🔄 Instant Input	No need for users to type – they just tap and respond.
📱 Input Types	Easily collect phone numbers, emails, locations, or custom text.
📊 Track Engagement	You can track click rates and store replies as structured data.
⚙️ Disappearing UI	Keeps the chat interface clean and less cluttered than buttons.

🧠 Use Case Scenarios

Phone Collection for Signup: Ask users to submit their number for creating an account or campaign.
Email Opt-in: Collect emails for newsletters or confirmations.
Lead Qualification: Provide users with reply options like “Yes,” “No,” “Maybe” to filter them.
Feedback Gathering: Let users respond with predefined sentiments (👍, 👎, ⭐).

✅ Summary

Quick Replies are a powerful way to reduce friction in user interaction and collect valuable subscriber data in a tap. Whether you're collecting phone numbers, emails, or quick answers, Quick Replies keep the conversation flowing smoothly and efficiently.