Which Website Chatbot Is Right for You? A Guide to Chatbot Types, and When to Use Them

Mapping your customer journey is the first step to selecting the right chatbot.

If you're evaluating chat tools for your website, you've likely seen everything from simple "Did that answer your question?" bots to surprisingly humanlike assistants that feel like chatting with a real person. But not all bots are created equal—and choosing the right one depends on what your website is trying to achieve.

In this post, we’ll break down the most common types of chatbots on the market today and help you match the right bot to your business goals. Plus, we’ll show where Convertr fits in - and why hybrid bots like it are gaining traction fast.

1. Rule-Based Bots (aka Scripted Bots)

These are the simplest bots - often built with visual flow builders or decision trees. They follow if/then logic based on user clicks or keyword triggers.

Best for:

• Basic lead capture (e.g., “Book a call”)

• Answering a small set of FAQs

• Sites with low interaction volume

Limitations:

• Rigid and predictable

• No natural conversation or flexibility

• Can frustrate users when they “go off script”

Popular tools: Landbot, Tidio, Collect.chat

2. Intent-Based AI Bots

These bots use AI to understand what the user means (natural language understanding), but the replies are still drawn from a predefined library. Great for structured tasks that need a touch of intelligence.

Best for:

• Handling a broader range of FAQs

• Routing conversations based on topic or priority

• Multi-language environments

Limitations:

• Responses still need to be manually written and maintained

• Doesn’t generate new responses in real time

Popular tools: IBM Watson, Rasa, Dialogflow

3. Live Chat Tools

Sometimes you don’t want automation - you want a real person. Live chat tools connect site visitors with human agents in real-time.

Best for:

• Complex sales conversations

• Handling objections or closing deals

• High-ticket or high-trust environments

Limitations:

• Cost and staffing requirements

• Not scalable outside working hours

• Visitors may bounce if no one responds quickly

Popular tools: Intercom, LiveChat, Olark

4. Hybrid Chatbots (Bot + Human Handoff)

These bots handle the first part of the conversation automatically - then seamlessly hand off to a human agent when available.

Best for:

• Mid-funnel sales qualification

• Providing consistent coverage without missing key opportunities

• Scaling limited human teams

Popular tools: Drift, Intercom, HubSpot Conversations

5. Generative AI Bots (LLM-Based)

These bots are built on powerful language models like GPT. They can understand open-ended input and generate conversational, context-aware responses.

Best for:

• Explaining complex products or services

• Educating buyers before they’re ready to talk to sales

• Making the site feel interactive and intelligent

Limitations:

• Requires oversight to ensure accuracy and tone

• Needs access to clean and structured knowledge sources

Popular tools: Jasper Chat, ChatGPT API integrations, Fin by Intercom

Where Convertr Fits In: The Best of Both Worlds

Convertr is a hybrid, LLM-powered chatbot designed for businesses that want real conversations - not just scripted flows.

✅ Uses a large language model to interpret and respond naturally

✅ Understands intent without relying on rigid flows

✅ Can complete tasks on behalf of the visitor (e.g., compare products, route inquiries, add to cart, directly send the invite)

✅ Hands off to a live human when one is available - so visitors never feel stuck

Best for:

• eCommerce and SMB sites that need to convert traffic into action

• B2B services that want to book meetings 24/7

• Teams that want the flexibility of AI with the safety net of human support

How to Choose the Right Chatbot

Your Goal	Recommended Bot Type
Basic lead capture	Rule-Based Bot
Automated support FAQs	Intent-Based Bot
Complex buyer conversations	Live Chat or Hybrid
Scalable, humanlike interactions	GenAI or Hybrid
24/7 meeting booking + fallback	Hybrid (like Convertr)

Final Thought

Your website chat experience is often the first real interaction a visitor has with your business. The right chatbot can turn that first hello into a booked meeting or a completed purchase.

If you're ready to offer smarter, more responsive conversations that lead to action, then reach out, as Convertr might be the answer. Book some time with us here.