Request Information

This section contains essential information and usage guidelines for using the Request Information Chat Components inside BotPenguin.

What are Chat Components?

Chat Components are configurable building blocks used to capture information, validate responses, manage conditional logic, invoke APIs, and control the overall flow inside a BotPenguin conversation. These elements ensure data capture consistency and help automate user interactions in personalized workflows.

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Benefits of Chat Components

• 🚀 Improves automation efficiency by reducing manual inputs.

• 🎯 Ensures structured and validated data collection from users.

• 🔄 Enables dynamic and conditional flow based on user responses.

• 🧩 Supports integrations with external systems for end-to-end automation.

• 🧠 Enhances conversational intelligence, enabling smarter flows and experiences.

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A. Name

1. Click “Name” under Chat Components.

2. Customize the message under “Customize Bot Message.”

3. The flow will pause until the user submits their name.

Name

B. Phone Number

1. Click “Phone Number” to add it to your flow.

2. Customize the message in the left panel.

3. Select a country code from the dropdown.

Phone number

C. Email

1. Select “Email” from the Chat Component list.

2. Customize the requested message under the left panel.

Email

D. Single Choice

1. Click “Single Choice.”

2. Add options (max 5).

3. Link each option to the next component.

Single Choice

E. Multiple Choice

1. Click “Multiple Choice.”

2. Add up to 5 selectable options.

3. Map each selection to the next message or action.

Multiple Choice

F. Text Questions

1. Click “Text Question” to add it to your flow.

2. Customize the request message based on the information you want to collect.

Text Question

G. File Upload

1. Click “File” from the chat components list.

2. Customize the file request message in the left customization panel.

3. The user will be able to upload files such as images, documents, or videos.

File

H. iFrame

1. Click “Iframe” to add it to your flow.

2. Paste the URL of the webpage you want to embed.

3. Add a title and description so the user understands the content.

4. Add a CTA button label that will open the URL when clicked.

iFrame

I. Appointment

1. Select “Appointment.”

2. Configure the message text to explain the booking request.

3. Select the available start and end hours from the dropdown.

4. Choose the time slot interval for bookings.

5. Select how many days ahead users can schedule.

6. Choose a scheduling integration (e.g., Google Calendar or another supported app).

Appointment

J. Location

1. Click “Location” from the available components.

2. Enter a message requesting the user to share their location.

Location

K. Date/Time

1. Add the “Date/Time” input component.

2. Enter a message requesting the user to choose a date.

3. If required, enable the checkbox to allow time selection.

Date-Time

L. Rating

1. Select the “Rating” component.

2. Add the message text to request user feedback.

3. Configure up to 5 rating-level labels for user selection.

Rating

M. Range

1. Click “Range” to add the slider input.

2. Enter the instruction or request message for the user.

3. Add prefix and suffix units (e.g., $, %, years).

4. Select the starting and ending numeric values.

5. Set the step value for slider increments.

Range

N. Numeric Input

1. Click “Numeric Input.”

2. Customize the message to request a numerical response.

Numerical Input

O. Smart Question

1. Click “Smart Question.”

2. Enter the question text the user will respond to.

3. Add the keywords that will determine the response logic.

4. Select the match type (Exact Match or Keyword Contained).

5. Map each keyword to the next chat component.

Smart Questions

P. Redirect

1. Add the “Redirect” component to switch into another flow.

2. Enter an optional message that will be shown before redirecting.

3. Select the destination flow from the dropdown.

Redirect

Q. API

1. Click “API” to integrate a third-party service.

2. Select or configure the API.

3. Add response handling for 200 (Success) and 400 (Error) states.

4. Map each response type to the next step in the flow.

API

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FAQs

Will the flow continue if the user doesn't respond to a required question?

No. The flow will remain on the same step until the required input is provided. Required components cannot be skipped and the conversation will not advance until the user supplies the requested information.

Can I reorder or delete a component after adding it to the flow?

Yes. You can drag components to reorder them or delete them if they are no longer needed. Before deleting, verify there are no downstream mappings or dependencies that will break as a result.

How many options can I add to Single Choice or Multiple Choice components?

You can add up to five (5) options in both Single Choice and Multiple Choice components.

Can the API component handle authentication headers and custom body parameters?

Yes. The API component supports custom headers, authentication keys (for example Bearer tokens or API keys), and configurable request body structures. Map response codes (e.g., 200, 400) to the appropriate next steps in the flow.

What happens if a user uploads an unsupported file format?

If the uploaded file format is unsupported, the bot should return a clear validation message to the user explaining accepted file types and ask for a retry. Implement server-side validation and surface a friendly error message for unsupported formats.

How do Smart Questions determine the next component?

Smart Questions use keyword-based logic. Configure one or more keywords and select a match type (Exact Match or Contains). Each keyword is mapped to a target component; when the user's response matches a keyword according to the selected match type, the mapped component is triggered.

What does Redirect do and when should I use it?

Redirect transfers the conversation to another pre-built flow within the same bot. Use Redirect to modularize journeys, reuse common sub-flows (like verification or payment), or to branch users into context-specific conversations.

How do I contact support if I need help with a chat flow?

If you still have questions for our team, write to us at [email protected]. We will respond within 48 hours.

If you still have questions for our team, write to us at [email protected]. We’ll get back to you within 48 hours.