WhatsApp has over 2 billion registered users.

58% of people with smartphone’s in the UK use WhatsApp.

WhatsApp for Business was launched in 2018 and there are now over 2 million business accounts.

WhatsApp for business offer an official API through selected providers, but this is an expensive option beyond the reach of most Private Hire Operators.

We have developed and been using within our own business a WhatsApp Chatbot for the past few months, offering customers a quick and convenient way of getting a quote of making a booking.

A significant advantage of WhatsApp over traditional website and Facebook Messenger chatbots is that there is no need to confirm a customers phone number, you can pass additional content in the messages sent, along with the trackmytaxi and consumer App links directly through WhatsApp, without any fear of sending multiple sms.

To avoid disruption to your office and drivers, we have enabled a configurable search distance radius, so that you can decide the allowable distance from your central operational area in which to accept bookings through the chatbot.

You are welcome to try the Chatbot, either through the widget link on our web site or by following this WhatsApp link here or watch a short video here

Please note that it is live so if you place a booking, you’ll need to cancel it through our App or another Riide members App.

Customers seem to embrace engagement with the WhatsApp chatbot, many returning to it for further bookings.

Statistics below confirm that it is an effective way of increasing automation, especially amongst users who do not regularly use taxis.

71%

of engagements have not used our services in 2020

32%

successfully placed a booking

16%

received an estimate for their journey

Of those successfully given estimates or when the user failed to complete the process.

43%

of users who didn’t book through the Chatbot booked then through Dispatch, IVR or Consumer App

15%

subsequently downloaded our Consumer App

Current development road map includes;

Using WhatsApp location feature

Allowing Airport bookings so as to capture flight ETA’s and luggage

Allow user to recall, edit or cancel a booking

We are now looking to offer the WhatsApp chatbot to other companies, the cost is comparable to existing Facebook and Website chatbots.

If you would like to know more send an email to chatbot@panthertaxis.co.uk or call John on +447780992254