There was once a time when we could only send a limited number of text messages per month. But times have changed. In less than a decade, tech companies have designed free messaging apps without any limitations. For individuals who were notorious for going over their text limits every month, this was like winning the lottery!

However, since then, messaging apps have become a lot more than just texting. Companies have started using them for digital interactions and transactions. Chat apps began integrating other features, such as making voice calls, sending images and videos, playing games, and even purchasing products. These added features have attracted new users.

Ever since Facebook announced the launch of chatbots to the world in mid-2016, the well-established definition for the same went something like “a computer program designed to simulate an intelligent conversation with one or more human users via conversational interfaces”. Bots got the reputation of being lightweight apps that resided within messengers. Ever since their widespread acceptance, the world of marketing has never been the same. A  wave of a disruptive new trend in technology ushered into our daily lives.

Amidst the unexpected cold temperatures, Barcelona’s Fira Gran Via conference facility was host to another eventful MWC. The biggest mobile conference in the world saw many innovations, product launches and disruptive technologies at the display.

Gupshup was at Hall 8.1 – App Planet Stand 8.1H44. For the next 4 days from 26^th Feb to the 1^st of March, our team was doing the rounds addressing curious customers

“Chatbots are the ideal solution for unique challenges in hospitality”

Can computers be hospitable? Can software be warm, friendly, genial? The answer to these questions will determine the extent to which chatbots and conversational experiences will transform the hospitality industry. This article from Gupshup discusses the latest chatbots technology trends as it relates to the hospitality industry.

Training schools recommend that the attributes required to succeed in the hospitality industry include commitment, enthusiasm, teamwork, efficiency, flexibility, time management, organization, communication skills etc. Therefore, let’s explore how chatbots measure up across many of these dimensions.

Digital assistants like Alexa, Google home and echo are increasingly becoming popular with consumers. Virtual assistants are aiding customers with day-to-day tasks like maintaining to-do lists, setting reminders and getting daily news updates amongst a plethora of other tasks.

Seasoned brand marketers have started taking notice of the power of conversations to drive marketing activities even though it’s just the early days of messenger marketing Facebook Messenger once a distant second to WeChat has advanced its messaging features while serving a global community. According to Facebook, 20 million out of the 70 million brands/pages are actively responding to consumer messages.

By Brinelle Kadam

Corporate Marketing | gupshup.io

Jan 30, 2018

Businesses today are leveraging technology to connect with customers and accelerate responses. The best way to reach your customers is through mobile, and mobile itself is evolving into a thriving ecosystem with a multitude of channels and apps becoming accessible and relevant to consumers on their mobile devices. With over 1 Billion active users each on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, it’s clear that consumers love data messaging apps. Not just for personal communications, but for business communications as well. A 2016 Nielsen research study says 53% of consumers say they are more likely to shop with a business they can message.

So marketers, doesn’t this mobile messaging trend open up an opportunity to grow your business?