What is an AI Chatbot and Does My Australian Business Need One?

What is an AI Chatbot and Does My Business Need One?

An AI chatbot is a software tool that uses artificial intelligence to answer customer questions on your website or WhatsApp 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It captures leads, books appointments, and handles common enquiries — even when you are asleep or busy on a job.

Last Updated: February 2026

How AI Chatbots Work

Modern AI chatbots in 2026 use large language models (like GPT-4) trained on your business information. When a customer visits your website and asks a question, the chatbot:

1. Understands the question using natural language processing
2. Searches your business knowledge base for the answer
3. Responds in natural, conversational language
4. Captures the customer name, email, and phone number
5. Books an appointment or sends the lead to your CRM

Unlike old chatbots with rigid scripts, modern AI chatbots handle complex questions and sound human.

Which Australian Businesses Benefit Most?

Service Businesses (Tradies, Cleaners, Landscapers)

• Customers call when you are on a job site
• AI chatbot captures the lead instead of missing the call
• Books a callback or sends a quote request

Healthcare (Dentists, Physios, Allied Health)

• Patients want to book after hours
• Chatbot handles appointment enquiries 24/7
• Reduces admin workload

Professional Services (Lawyers, Accountants)

• Clients have initial questions before committing
• Chatbot qualifies leads and gathers case details
• Saves time on repetitive consultations

Real Estate Agents

• Buyers browse listings at night and on weekends
• Chatbot answers property questions instantly
• Captures buyer details for follow-up

AI Chatbot Costs in Australia

| Option | Monthly Cost | Setup Cost |

|--------|-------------|------------|

| Basic (FAQ only) | $0-$50 | $500-$1,000 |

| Professional (lead capture + booking) | $50-$200 | $1,000-$2,500 |

| Custom (CRM + WhatsApp + voice) | $100-$500 | $2,000-$5,000 |

Benefits for Australian Businesses

• **Never miss a lead** — captures enquiries at 2am when you are sleeping
• **Reduces phone calls** — handles 60-80% of common questions
• **Saves admin time** — automates repetitive Q&A
• **Available 24/7** — Australians expect instant responses
• **Qualifies leads** — only sends you serious enquiries
• **Multilingual** — can respond in any language

Risks and Limitations

• AI can give incorrect answers if not properly trained
• Some customers prefer human interaction
• Requires initial setup and training time
• Needs regular updates as your business changes
• Privacy compliance under the Australian Privacy Act

How to Get an AI Chatbot for Your Website

1. **Define your goals** — lead capture, FAQ, booking, or all three?
2. **Prepare your content** — service descriptions, pricing, FAQs, hours
3. **Choose a provider** — custom-built or platform (Tidio, Intercom, custom)
4. **Train the chatbot** — feed it your business information
5. **Test thoroughly** — check responses for accuracy
6. **Launch and monitor** — review conversations weekly

CoreWebHub AI Chatbot Service

At CoreWebHub, we build custom AI chatbots for Australian businesses:

• Trained on your specific business content
• Integrated with your website and WhatsApp
• Lead capture with email/SMS notifications
• Appointment booking integration
• Monthly performance reports

Pricing starts from $1,000 setup + $50/month.

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Want an AI chatbot for your business? Contact CoreWebHub for a free consultation. Call 0432 405 388.