7 Simple and Smart Ways to Customize Your AI Service Chatbot

If you’re running a small business, a chatbot can save you time and make your customers happy. But to get the most out of it, you need to make sure it feels like it’s made for your business, not just a robot answering questions. Here are seven easy ways to make your chatbot better, more useful, and more personal.

1. Give Your Chatbot a Personality

Think of your chatbot like a team member. Is it a friendly helper, a tech expert, or a fun mascot? Give it a voice that matches your business. For example, if you run a coffee shop, your chatbot could be cheerful and say things like:

“Hi there! Looking for your morning pick-me-up? Let me help you find the perfect brew!”

This makes the conversation more fun and less robotic.

2. Name It and Add a Face

Don’t let your chatbot be just “the bot.” Give it a name that matches your brand, like “Brewster” for a coffee shop or “FixIt Fred” for a repair service. You can even add a picture or icon—like a smiling coffee cup or a friendly wrench—to make it more memorable.

3. Teach It About Your Business

Your chatbot should know your business inside and out. If you own a bakery, program it to answer questions like “What gluten-free options do you have?” or “How much is a custom cake?” Instead of generic replies, you want it to feel like talking to a real expert. For example:

“We’ve got gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, and muffins. Would you like to add some to your cart?”

4. Make Sure It Works With Your Tools

Your chatbot can do more than answer questions—it can help with things like scheduling, orders, or checking inventory. For example, if you’re a personal trainer, your bot can book workout sessions directly by connecting to your scheduling app.

“I see you usually work out on Tuesdays. Does 5 PM work for your next session?”

This is one of our favorite things about AI business tools here at SERTBO. Our platform lets you connect other popular tools like Calendly, Shopify, or Google Calendar, so everything works smoothly.

5. Think Local

If your business serves a local area, your chatbot can be a pro at local details. If you own a flower shop in Boston, it could say:

“We deliver all over Boston! Are you in Back Bay or Somerville?”

You can even set it up to share local weather updates or events that tie into your services. For example, “It’s going to be sunny this weekend—perfect for a backyard BBQ. Want to grab a flower centerpiece?”

6. Make Sure Everyone Can Use It

Your chatbot should work for everyone, including people with disabilities. Add options like text-to-speech for people who can’t read small text or offer a button to switch languages. For example:

“Would you like to chat in Spanish? ¡Hablemos en español!”

Big, easy-to-tap buttons can also help users who are on mobile devices or have trouble typing.

7. Check How It’s Doing and Improve

Your chatbot will get better over time if you keep an eye on how people are using it. Look at what questions they ask and where they get stuck. For example:

If people often ask about pricing and leave without buying, update the bot to share clear price info upfront.

Use feedback to improve: “I noticed you were looking for more details on our services—let me add that info!”

Let's Talk

Your chatbot doesn’t have to be fancy to make a big difference. By giving it some personality, teaching it about your business, and making it easy to use, you can create a tool that saves time and keeps your customers happy.

We’re here to help! At SERTBO, we make chatbots that fit your business perfectly. Contact us today to get started and schedule a free consultation.