Chatbot Flow Introduction

Introduction

In this section, we delve into the comprehensive flow of the chatbot utilized by Rentervention.com. This flow is crucial for managing user inquiries effectively, ensuring that users receive timely and appropriate assistance. The process involves multiple steps, from the initial user inquiry to the eventual provision of resources or human help. The flow is designed to be both intuitive and efficient, leveraging technology such as Google Sheets, Zapier, and a language model to process and respond to user needs.

1. User Inquiry Submission

The journey begins when a user submits an inquiry through the chatbot interface. This action triggers the chatbot to present a question to the user, capturing the response in a variable named welcome . This variable serves as the initial point of interaction, marking the start of the inquiry process.

2. Record Creation in Google Sheets

Upon receiving the inquiry, the system automatically generates a new entry in a dedicated Google Sheet. This step is essential for record-keeping, allowing for the tracking of each chat session. The entry includes critical information such as the date and time of the inquiry, alongside static text that might include disclaimers or other relevant details.

3. Legal Issue Detection

As the process progresses, the chatbot, powered by a language model, analyzes the user's input to determine if a legal issue is present. This determination is crucial for tailoring the response to the user's specific needs.

4. Empathic Response and Issue Identification

Following the detection of a legal issue, the chatbot crafts an empathic response, indicating the identification of the issue. This step may also involve creating an additional record in another Google Sheet to log the interaction's details further.

5. Inquiry Generalization

Next, the language model generates a more generalized version of the user's inquiry. This generalization helps in categorizing the issue, especially if the initial input was too vague or brief, such as "eviction" or similar short phrases.

6. Geographic Information Request

The chatbot then requests the user's zip code, which plays a pivotal role in the next phase. This geographic information is cross-referenced with a database of zip codes and their corresponding legal ordinances.

7. Zapier Integration and Ordinance Selection

With the zip code provided, the system utilizes Zapier to cross-reference the geographic information with applicable legal ordinances. This step involves a series of conditional processes to determine the relevant ordinance for the user's issue.

8. Information Retrieval and Response

Zapier creates a record in Google Sheets, which the chatbot then accesses to retrieve the necessary information. This approach allows for the separation of data processing and user interaction, streamlining the flow.

9. Presenting Resources to the User

Finally, the chatbot populates buttons with the top three articles or resources related to the user's issue. This allows the user to either open an article, query further information, or, if needed, proceed to seek human assistance.

Conclusion

The chatbot flow for Rentervention.com is a sophisticated system designed to facilitate user interaction and provide timely assistance. By integrating technologies like Google Sheets, Zapier, and advanced language models, the platform ensures that users receive the help they need in navigating their legal inquiries. This section has outlined the flow in detail, highlighting the steps taken from the initial inquiry to the provision of resources or human help.