Your chatbot’s first message decides whether visitors engage or ignore it. “Hi! How can I help you?” is fine. These are better.
Rules for a great greeting
- Be specific about what it can help with
- Keep it short: one or two sentences
- Sound like your brand, not a robot
- Match the page the visitor is on
- Add suggested questions as buttons
General greetings
- “Hi! 👋 I can answer questions about our services, prices and availability. What would you like to know?”
- “Welcome! Ask me anything about [Business]. I reply instantly, day or night.”
- “Hey there! Looking for something specific? I can point you in the right direction.”
- “Hi! I’m [Name], [Business]’s assistant. I can help you get a quote in under a minute.”
- “Hello! Questions about [main service]? I’ve got answers.”
By industry
- Dental: “Hi! I can help with new-patient appointments, insurance and treatment questions.”
- Medical clinic: “Welcome! Ask about appointments, insurance or our services. For emergencies, call 911.”
- Law firm: “Hi! I can explain our practice areas and help you book a free consultation.”
- Real estate: “Thinking of buying or selling? I can answer questions or set up a call with an agent.”
- Restaurant: “Hungry? Ask me about today’s hours, the menu or reservations.”
- Hotel: “Welcome! Ask me about rooms, amenities or local tips, in any language.”
- HVAC / plumbing: “Need a repair? I can check if we serve your area and get you a fast estimate.”
- Accounting: “Hi! Questions about tax prep, bookkeeping or fees? I can help.”
- Online store: “Hi! Need help with sizing, shipping or finding the perfect gift?”
- SaaS: “Hi! I can answer questions about features, pricing and integrations, or book a demo.”
- Salon / spa: “Hi! Want to book a treatment or ask about prices? I can help.”
- Gym: “Hey! Ask me about memberships, classes or a free trial pass.”
- School / courses: “Welcome! Questions about programs, schedules or enrollment? Ask away.”
- Nonprofit: “Hi! I can help you donate, volunteer or find our programs.”
- Agency: “Hi! Tell me about your project and I’ll share how we can help.”
By page
- Pricing page: “Not sure which plan fits? Tell me about your needs and I’ll recommend one.”
- Product page: “Questions about this product? I can help with sizing, materials or shipping.”
- Service page: “Want a quote for [service]? I can get you a price range right now.”
- Contact page: “Prefer a faster answer? Ask me here, or I’ll pass your message to the team.”
- Blog post: “Have a question about this article? I’m happy to help.”
- Checkout: “Anything holding you back? I can answer shipping or returns questions.”
After hours and returning visitors
- “Our team is offline, but I’m here! I can answer most questions or pass yours along for the morning.”
- “Weekend browsing? I can answer questions and set up a call for Monday.”
- “Welcome back! Want to pick up where you left off?”
- “Hi again! Ready to book, or do you have a few more questions?”
More scripts, including lead-capture and handoff messages, are in our chatbot templates.
FAQ
Should a chatbot pop open automatically?
Usually not. A visible chat button with a short teaser is enough; auto-opening chat windows annoy many visitors, especially on mobile.
Should I use emoji in greetings?
One friendly emoji works for casual brands. For legal, medical or financial businesses, keep it professional.