Introduction
A User Input Flow in BotSailor allows a webchat bot to collect important information directly from visitors through automated questions. This feature works as a powerful chatbot user input system that helps businesses gather customer details, feedback, preferences, contact information, and other custom data required for better customer engagement.
With BotSailor, businesses can create a structured user input flow chatbot process where visitors answer automated questions and their responses are collected efficiently. This chatbot data collection process helps organizations understand customer needs, improve communication, and create personalized experiences.
In this guide, you will learn how to create a User Input Flow for a Webchat Bot in BotSailor step by step, from connecting your webchat bot to testing the final output on your website. You will also learn how to configure a chatbot input form, create questions, and organize a complete chatbot conversation flow for collecting user information.
Quick Process Overview
Chatbot Manager → Connect Webchat Bot → Keyword Reply → Create Bot Flow → Add Trigger Message → Add Text Reply → Add User Input Flow → Configure User Input Campaign → Create Questions → Add Thank You Message → Save Flow → Test on Website
Prerequisites
Before creating a User Input Flow, make sure you have:
- A BotSailor account
- A connected Webchat Bot
- Access to Chatbot Manager
- A keyword trigger or starting point for your automation flow
- A website where the webchat widget is installed
A connected website chatbot form setup allows visitors to provide information directly through automated conversations. Before creating the flow, ensure your chatbot environment is ready for proper chatbot data collection.
Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a User Input Flow in BotSailor
Step 1: Go to Chatbot Manager
First, log in to your BotSailor dashboard.
From the dashboard:
Dashboard → Chatbot Manager
Here you can manage your connected bots, automation flows, user interactions, and chatbot settings.
The Chatbot Manager is the central place where you can create and manage your chatbot conversation flow, including automated replies, user input collection, and chatbot user input settings.
Step 2: Connect Your Webchat Bot
After entering Chatbot Manager, connect the Webchat Bot where you want to create the User Input Flow.
The connected chatbot will appear in your bot list.
Select your Webchat Bot to start creating automation.
Process:
Chatbot Manager
↓
Select Webchat Bot
↓
Open Bot Automation Settings
A properly connected Webchat Bot allows you to create a complete user input flow chatbot system where visitors can interact with automated questions and submit information.
Step 3: Navigate to Keyword Replies
Now go to the automation section.
Select:
Automation → Keyword Replies
Keyword Replies allow your chatbot to start a conversation when a user enters a specific keyword.
Click the Create button to create a new chatbot flow.
This keyword-based automation works as the starting point of your chatbot conversation flow. Once triggered, the bot can guide users through a structured chatbot user input process.
Step 4: Create Your Bot Flow
Flow Structure:
Create a new bot flow by adding a trigger keyword.
For example:
Trigger Keyword:
hello
or
start
When users send this keyword, your chatbot flow will begin.
Trigger Keyword
↓
Bot Flow Start
This initial setup creates the foundation of your chatbot data collection workflow. The bot flow determines how users move from the first message toward the chatbot input form and information submission process.
Step 5: Add a Trigger Message
After creating the flow, add your first chatbot message.
Example:
Hello! Could you please provide your birthday?
This message tells users what information the bot needs.
A clear trigger message improves the user experience and prepares visitors for the upcoming chatbot user input questions.
Step 6: Add a Text Reply Block
Flow:
Now add a Text Reply block after the trigger message.
The text block allows your bot to communicate with users before collecting their information.
Example:
Please share your details below so we can personalize your experience.
Trigger Message
↓
Text Reply
↓
Collect User Information
This step creates a smoother chatbot conversation flow before the chatbot starts collecting responses through the user input section.
Step 7: Add User Input Flow Block
Process:
Now drag and drop the User Input Flow block into your chatbot workflow.
Connect it with your previous text message.
The User Input Flow block is responsible for collecting answers from users. It works as a built-in chatbot input form where visitors can provide requested information through automated questions.
Text Reply
↓
User Input Flow
The User Input Flow feature helps businesses create an organized chatbot user input process by allowing them to collect customer responses directly inside the conversation.
This chatbot data collection method removes the need for separate forms and allows users to submit information through an interactive website chatbot form experience
Step 8: Configure User Input Flow
Campaign Name
Click on the User Input Flow block to open configuration settings.
Here you need to create your User Input Campaign.
Add:
Example:
Birthday Collection Campaign
After adding the campaign name, click:
Save
Step 9: Create User Questions
After saving the campaign, a new question box will appear.
Here you can create questions that your chatbot will ask users.
Example:
Question 1:
What is your birthday?
You can add additional questions by clicking the option to create another question box.
Example:
Question 2:
What is your location?
Question 3:
What service are you interested in?
Step 10: Add Multiple Questions
BotSailor allows you to create multiple questions inside one User Input Flow.
You can collect different types of information based on your business requirements.
Examples:
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Birthday
- Location
- Customer preferences
- Feedback
The multiple-question feature allows businesses to build a complete user input flow chatbot system for different customer needs.
For example, an online store can use a chatbot input form to collect customer preferences, while a service company can collect contact details and service requirements.
Question Flow:
Question 1
↓
Question 2
↓
Question 3
↓
Final Response
This structured chatbot conversation flow ensures that users receive questions in the correct order and businesses receive organized customer information.
Step 11: Add Thank You Message
After collecting all answers, add a final message to thank the user.
Example:
Thank you for providing your information. We appreciate your time and will get back to you soon.
This creates a better customer experience.
A final response completes the chatbot user input journey and confirms that the chatbot data collection process has been completed successfully.
A friendly closing message also improves customer trust and makes the chatbot conversation flow feel more natural.
Step 12: Save Your Complete Flow
After completing:
- Trigger message
- Text reply
- User input questions
- Thank you message
Click:
Save
Your User Input Flow is now ready.
The completed flow works as an automated chatbot input form that collects visitor information and stores responses based on your campaign settings.
Businesses can now use this chatbot data collection system to manage leads, customer inquiries, feedback, and other important information automatically.
Step 13: Test the Output on Your Website
Now open your website where the BotSailor Webchat widget is installed.
Start a conversation with your chatbot.
Test the complete journey:
Website Visitor
↓
Chatbot Opens
↓
Trigger Keyword Entered
↓
Bot Sends Message
↓
User Answers Questions
↓
Bot Saves Information
↓
Thank You Message Appears
Check whether:
- Questions appear correctly
- Answers are collected properly
- Final message displays successfully
Testing ensures that your website chatbot form works correctly before visitors start using it.
A properly tested chatbot conversation flow helps prevent errors and improves the overall customer experience.
Complete User Input Flow Structure
Website Visitor
↓
Open Webchat Bot
↓
Keyword Trigger
↓
Bot Flow Starts
↓
Welcome Text Message
↓
User Input Flow
↓
Question 1
↓
Question 2
↓
Question 3
↓
Thank You Message
↓
Information Collected Successfully
This complete structure creates a smooth user input flow chatbot experience where visitors can provide information naturally through automated conversations.
The combination of keyword triggers, chatbot input form elements, and automated responses creates an effective chatbot data collection system for businesses.
