In this article, we'll learn to use advanced chat flow elements such as TimeGaps, UserInput and more.

Using the user input element

A user input element will help you collect data from your subscribers and store it in a database to later segment them and target the right audience with personalized messages.

You can run a messenger ad campaign on Facebook and capture leads using the UserInput element.

1. Click Facebook & Instagram on the Navigation Pane and Select Chat Flow Builder

2. Select your Page and Click Create a New Flow

3. Enter a Flow Name and press ok

4. Now you can see a Chatbot Automation Interface

5. Please Right Click on the interface > select Text and connect the node socket.

6. Add Message within the Text element and add quick replies to initiate the UserInput element.

7. Right Click on the interface > select UserInput element

8. Configure UserInput: Click on the UserInput element

Select Custom Variable: You can select an existing custom variable from dropdown options and click Confirm Changes.

* Create New Custom Variable: Click on the toggle button > Enter Custom Variable Name

* Dynamic or Pre-defined Data: Select Dynamic if you want users to enter their preferred input. If you have any pre-defined data, users will be able to pick from that.

* Enable Google Sheet: You can enable it and select google sheet to keep the user input data.

* Click on Confirm Changes button

9. Connect socket nodes as per the flow.

10. Congrats, your UserInput element is configured successfully.

Using the Condition element

Conditional elements can be very helpful to make the conversation personalized. You can also validate user inputs by adding condition elements.

Now let's add a condition element for UserInput.

1. Please Right Click on the interface > select Condition element

2. Click on the Condition element box to configure

3. You can create conditions based on Customer Tags, Name and Custom Variables.

4. Select preferred condition parameter and click Add Condition

5. Now select a qualifier for your preferred condition and clicks on Confirm Changes

6. Now add preferred elements for True and False Condition and connect node sockets.

7. Congrats, the Condition element is done.

Using the Action element

Action elements are one of the very useful elements in chatbot flow. It is used to trigger a set of predefined actions within the chatbot flow. It basically helps you automate your actions based on users' responses.

For example, You can initiate an email sequence, SMS sequence, or modify custom variables based on users' responses.

This is just an example. There are tons of uses cases of the action element.

Now let's add an action element:

1. Please Right Click on the interface > select Action element

2. Click Add action to configure

3. You can see many types of actions in the selection bar. You can select your preferred action and click Add Action

4. Here I want to tag the user based on his inputs.

Protip: You can also select multiple actions.

5. Click on Confirm Changes and connect node sockets with the relevant element.

Using Product Search Element

The product search element is very useful if you have an e-commerce store. You can automatically display your products within the chat conversation and users can directly navigate to the product page by clicking Buy Now button.

1. Please Right Click on the interface > select Product Search element element

2. Click on Product Search element > Select Product and enter Call to Action

3. Add a User Input element to grab users' queries for product search.

4. Add a Text element and request for a product search.

5. Add one more Text element for the unavailable product.

6. Add a keyword-based trigger to initiate the flow.

7. Connect node sockets correctly.

8. Our first product search flow is now ready.

Using the TimeGap Element

The TimeGap element is a delay manager in the chatbot flow. It's very useful for all businesses to smartly manage the flow and engage users. In the article, we are going to use the TimeGap element to create a customer feedback flow.

1. Please Right Click on the interface > select TimeGap element element

2. Click on it and enter TimeGap Value > select TimeGap Unit and click OK

3. Now, add a text element asking for customer feedback and include quick replies.

4. Add one more text element for the Thankyou message.

5. Connect node sockets correctly.

Using the HTTP request element

Your bot might need to access an external service, on behalf of the user or as part of your business logic. For example, you are looking to generate leads through the UserInput and need to send data to your server. Or you need to get data from the server and send it through chatbot flow.

In this case, the HTTP requests will help you achieve your goals.

1. Let's create an Inspirational Quotes bot using the HTTP request element.

2. Custom Variable: Go to Facebook & Instagram > Chat Flow Builder > Custom Variables > Create New Custom Variable > Enter Variable Name and click Confirm

3. Create a new GMB Flow > Right-click and select an HTTP element > Add a Trigger element > enter a keyword to trigger the flow and click OK

4. Click on the HTTP element > Add request URL > Click on Test Request Button

5. Now, you need to map the response

6. Please click on the Map Response button > Select correct response value and map it with the custom variable which you have created > click on "+" button and click on "Confirm Changes"

Make sure you have clicked "+" button otherwise mapping will not work.

7. HTTP input is done, now we need to add a text element to send the inspirational quote.

8. Add a Text element > enter a Message > select Custom variable and click on Confirm Changes.

9. Save the flow > Our inspiration quote bot is ready.