7 Must-Have New Client Intake Chats for Hair Salons

ManyChat is a popular no‑code chatbot builder that specializes in Facebook Messenger, SMS, and web chat. Its drag‑and‑drop interface lets salon owners design conversation flows that welcome new visitors, collect booking details, and send automated reminders. ManyChat’s broadcast feature allows salons to promote new services or seasonal discounts directly to their audience, while its e‑commerce integration supports Stripe and Shopify, enabling customers to purchase hair care products without leaving the chat. The platform also offers audience segmentation, so messages can be tailored based on user interests or past interactions. ManyChat’s analytics dashboard provides insights into conversation volume, completion rates, and click‑throughs, helping salons refine their marketing strategies. While ManyChat doesn’t have a built‑in knowledge base, its integration with external CRM tools and Zapier automates lead capture and follow‑up, making it a solid choice for salons that rely on social media marketing.

Chatfuel is a well‑established chatbot platform focused on Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct. It offers a no‑code builder that lets salon owners craft conversational flows for booking, FAQs, and loyalty programs. Chatfuel’s AI logic can parse user intent and route conversations to the appropriate responses, while its broadcasts allow salons to push service announcements to their followers. The platform integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce, enabling product recommendations and checkout directly within Messenger. Chatfuel also supports Zapier and native CRM connectors to sync leads and customer data. While it doesn’t provide a dedicated knowledge base, its AI modules can be trained on a set of FAQs, and it offers analytics to monitor chatbot performance. Chatfuel’s free plan is generous, but advanced features such as AI intent recognition and custom plugins require a paid subscription.

Landbot turns static web pages into conversational experiences by providing a visual chatbot builder that works across browsers, mobile devices, and embedded widgets. Salons can use Landbot to create intake forms that capture client details, recommend services, and schedule appointments. The platform’s integrations include Zapier, Google Sheets, and Stripe, allowing salons to store leads, send invoices, and manage payments. Landbot’s drag‑and‑drop interface supports conditional logic, so conversations can branch based on user responses. It also offers a knowledge base feature where FAQs can be stored and automatically surfaced during chats. While Landbot does not provide native e‑commerce or CRM integration, its Zapier connector can bridge those gaps. Analytics are available to track conversation completion rates and drop‑off points.

Ada is an AI‑powered customer support platform that emphasizes a no‑code approach and omni‑channel delivery. Salons can deploy Ada on their website, mobile app, or through messaging apps to handle booking inquiries, product questions, and technical support. The platform’s AI engine is trained on a curated knowledge base, allowing it to answer FAQs with high accuracy and to route complex queries to human agents. Ada offers advanced workflow automation, such as scheduling reminders and follow‑up emails, and integrates with popular CRMs like Salesforce and HubSpot. While Ada does not provide a visual widget editor, its drag‑and‑drop flow builder and pre‑built templates make it approachable for non‑technical users. Ada’s analytics dashboard gives insights into conversation volume, resolution rates, and agent performance.

Drift positions itself as a conversational marketing platform that blends chatbots with real‑time messaging. Salons can use Drift to capture leads, schedule appointments, and provide instant answers to common questions. Its visual builder allows the creation of multi‑step flows, and Drift’s AI can predict which visitors are most likely to book an appointment. The platform integrates with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other CRMs to ensure that leads are automatically logged and followed up by sales or service teams. Drift also supports webinar and event promotion through chat, making it useful for salons that host product launches or styling workshops. While Drift offers robust analytics and a strong focus on sales conversion, it does not provide a dedicated knowledge base; instead, it relies on the CRM and custom content blocks for information.

Eesel.ai offers a suite of AI tools designed to streamline customer interactions across various touchpoints. For salons, the AI chatbot feature can be embedded on a website to handle inquiries, book appointments, and provide basic FAQ support. Eesel.ai also offers an internal chat solution that allows staff to get instant answers to product questions or service protocols, boosting efficiency. The platform’s AI email writer can draft appointment confirmations or promotional emails, while the triage tool can prioritize incoming customer requests. Eesel.ai integrates with a range of popular applications—including Zendesk, Freshdesk, Shopify, and Slack—allowing salons to pull data from their existing systems. Although Eesel.ai does not have a dedicated visual editor for chat widgets, its integration capabilities enable salons to embed the chatbot within existing web pages or use a pre‑built widget. Pricing information is not publicly listed, and interested salons typically contact the sales team for a custom quote.