Article · · 3 min read
AI chatbot for business: what it can do, what it costs and when it pays off
Most small businesses lose leads not because of bad ads, but because nobody answers fast enough: at night, on weekends, or while the manager is busy. An AI chatbot answers in seconds, any time, in several languages, and passes ready leads to you. Here is what such a bot can realistically do, what it costs and how to check whether it pays off for your business.
Related service AI automation & bots — from $350Website development — from $500
In short
At Veilvex a simple bot or script starts at $350 and an AI assistant that answers questions in free form starts at $600. A bot works in WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram or on your website, answers common questions, takes orders and bookings, and sends leads to your CRM or a spreadsheet. It pays off when you regularly lose inquiries because of slow replies: even a few saved leads a month usually cover the cost.
In this article06
01What an AI chatbot can do
- Answer common questions about prices, hours, delivery, services, in the client's language.
- Take orders and bookings: collect name, phone, date, service and send them to you.
- Qualify leads: ask two or three questions so the manager gets a ready request, not "hi, how much?".
- Work around the clock in WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram or a chat on the website.
- Hand over to a person when the question is complex or the client asks for it.
02Simple bot or AI assistant
| Type | How it works | Good for | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Button bot or script | Menus and fixed scenarios | Bookings, orders, FAQ with a clear structure | $350 |
| AI assistant | Understands free text and answers from your knowledge base | Many different questions, several languages, consultations | $600 |
Many businesses start with a scenario bot and add AI later. The right choice depends on how varied your clients' questions are.
03Will it pay off? Simple math
Count how many inquiries you lose: messages answered after an hour, at night or never. Multiply by your conversion and average check. Example: if 10 inquiries a month go unanswered, 3 of them would have bought, and an average order is $200, you lose about $600 a month, more than the cost of a bot in the first month alone.
This is an illustration, not a forecast. Put in your own numbers: your lost inquiries, conversion and average check.
04What a bot should not do
- Make promises your team cannot keep, such as prices or dates that are not in its knowledge base.
- Pretend to be a person. Clients accept a bot that says it is a bot and hands over to a manager.
- Replace the manager completely in complex sales. Its job is to answer fast and prepare the lead.
05How a launch usually goes
- A 15-minute brief: channels, typical questions, where leads should go.
- You send your prices, FAQ and rules; we prepare scenarios and the knowledge base.
- Build and connection to WhatsApp, Telegram or the site, plus your CRM or a spreadsheet.
- Testing on real questions and a launch, then adjustments in the first weeks.
Typical timelines are one to three weeks depending on channels and integrations. Details and examples are on the automation and bots page; to discuss your case, write to us.
06Frequently asked questions
Which channels can the bot work in?
Usually WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and a chat on your website. One bot can serve several channels and send all leads to one place.
Will the bot answer in different languages?
Yes. An AI assistant can answer in the language the client writes in, using one knowledge base.
Where do the leads go?
To your CRM, a Google Sheet, Telegram or email, whichever you already use. The manager gets a ready request with the client's details.
How much does an AI chatbot cost?
At Veilvex a scenario bot starts at $350 and an AI assistant at $600. The final price depends on channels, scenarios and integrations; we name it after a short brief.
Want us to do this for you?
Tell us about the task: after a 15-minute brief we name the plan, timeline and price.