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Proactive messages allow you to initiate conversations through the Web Widget with customers based on specified conditions you define.

In this article, we’ll take you through the following tasks:

  • Creating the proactive message
  • Composing the message
  • Setting the rules
  • Choosing when to send the message
  • Troubleshooting proactive messages

For an overview of proactive messages and how they work, see About proactive messages.

Creating the proactive message

Proactive messages are created on the Proactive messages page in Admin Center.

To create a proactive message

  1. In Admin Center, click Channels in the sidebar, then select AI agents and automation > Proactive messages.
  2. On the Proactive messages page, click the Create proactive message button.
  3. Under Compose messages, specify the following information for the new message:
    • Name: Enter a brief but descriptive name for the proactive message.
    • Brand: If you have multiple brands, use the dropdown to select a brand for the message. Brands can run multiple proactive messages simultaneously.
    • Channel: Use the dropdown to select a Web Widget for the message. Only channels connected to the brand selected above appear in the menu. Each proactive message can only be published on one channel.
  4. Click Next to open the new message configuration page.

Composing the message

After you’ve added the proactive message to your account, you can compose the message text. Composing the message requires adding the text (including emojis, if you like) that will greet your customers, then selecting and configuring the response type.

There are two response types you can choose from:

  • Agent: Lets you create a simple follow-up to the initial message before handing the customer over to a live agent.
  • Bot: Lets you use an answer as a follow-up message.

Composing a message for each response type has slightly different steps. The sections below describe these in more detail.

Composing a proactive message with an agent response

The basic customer experience for a proactive message with an agent response is:

  • An initial greeting, or message, to the customer
  • A follow-up message to transition the customer to a conversation with a live agent
  • A request for the customer’s name and/or email address (optional)

For a more detailed example from the customer’s perspective, see Customer experience: Agent response.

To compose the message with an agent response

  1. In the Compose messages section of the configuration page, use the Proactive message box to enter the text for your initial message.
  2. Under Choose how to respond, click Agent.
  3. Enter the follow-up message. This can let the customer know they’re being transferred to a live agent, and introduce the request for additional information (if used).
  4. In the optional Customer details section, a request for both the customer’s name and email address are included by default. Click the X to delete either detail (or both). Click the down arrow to add back the deleted field(s). Deleting both fields removes the data collection request from the proactive message.
  5. Click Next to expand the Set the rules section.

Composing a proactive message with a bot response

The basic customer experience for a proactive message with a bot response is:

  • An initial greeting, or message, to the customer.
  • An answer, which transitions the customer to the conversation bot.

For a more detailed example from the customer’s perspective, see Customer experience: Bot response.

To compose the message with a bot response

  1. In the Compose messages section of the proactive message’s configuration page, use the Proactive message box to enter the text for your message.
  2. Under Choose how to respond, click Bot.
  3. Note the bot being referenced. If it is incorrect, click Edit bot and choose the bot you want to use.

    Only bots connected to the channel you selected in the Compose messages section can be used. If necessary, create a new bot with the messaging you need, or publish an existing bot to the channel.

  4. Use the Response drop-down to choose the answer you want to use as your customer follow-up message. If needed, click Edit answer to make changes to the selected answer.
  5. Click Next to expand the Set the rules section.

Setting the rules

Next, you’ll need to set the rules, which includes:

  • Adding conditions. A condition includes an object (visitor or device), an operator, and a value. You can also nest conditions to create more complex conditional logic. You can expand the Condition key to use as a reference.
  • Configuring the timing for checking conditions. Here, you’ll determine what event can trigger the condition check – usually when the customer visits a specified web or help center page, often for a specified amount of time.

For more information on the options for building conditions, see Proactive messaging conditions and events reference.

To set the condition rules

  1. In the Set the rules section, configure the conditions that must be met to send a proactive message.
  2. Click Add condition.
  3. Use the drop-down field to select an Object as the subject of the condition.
  4. If you’re using the customer’s visit information as a condition for sending the message, select Visitor in the Object drop-down, then:
    • Use the Field drop-down to choose what information to consider: The Page URL of the customer’s current page, the Page title of the customer’s current page, or the Visit history of the customer.
    • Use the Operator drop-down to choose an operator. Depending on your Field selection, this can be Is, Is not, Contains at least one of, or Doesn’t contain.
    • Use the Value field to enter the page URL or title to check. If you selected Visit history in the Field drop-down, choose New user or Returning user.
      Note: Page URL and Page Title values are case-insensitive.
  5. If you’re using information from the device the customer is on, select Device in the Object drop-down, then:
    • Use the Field drop-down to select the Language option.
    • Use the Operator drop-down to choose an operator, Is or Is not.
    • Use the Value drop-down to select the language you want to check for. This value is checked against the language set on the customer’s device.
  6. Click Add to save the condition.
  7. To add another condition to the rule, click the + and select Add condition. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed.
  8. To create a nested condition, click the + and select Add nested condition. A nested condition is a condition that contains two or more conditions inside it. You can use nested conditions to build complex logic that relies on multiple conditions. They are especially useful when combining conditions using both AND and OR.
  9. Under When to check the conditions, use the Event drop-down to define what customer event causes a condition check, then use Minutes and Seconds to define how long the event must last before the check is triggered.
  10. Optionally, add tags to the tickets created from the proactive message interaction.
  11. Click Next to expand the Schedule section.

Choosing when to send the message

Finally, you’ll choose when, and how often, to send the message to the customer, and publish your message.

To choose when to send the message

  1. In the Choose when to send section, select the Time of day for sending the proactive message:
    • Any time conditions are met. This sends the message whenever the customer meets the conditions defined in the previous section, regardless of any set business hours.
    • Only during business hours. This lets you select one of your previously-defined schedules to restrict when proactive messages are sent. This option is only available if you have set business hours for the channel.
    • Only outside of business hours. This sends the message only when the customer meets the conditions outside of any previously-defined schedules. This option is only available if you have set business hours for the channel.
  2. Under Frequency, choose how often a customer will receive a proactive message:
    • Once per customer. Message will only show the first time the customer meets the conditions. After clearing the browser’s cache, the customer will be treated as a new user at their next visit and will see the message again.
    • Once per visit. After the message is opened or dismissed, it won't show again until the customer’s next visit.
    • Every time the conditions are met. Recommended only for critical or time-sensitive messages.
  3. Click Publish.
Note: When you publish the proactive message, it is immediately activated in your Web Widget, and its status is updated to Live. For more information on activating and managing the status of proactive messages, see The proactive messages admin page.

Troubleshooting proactive messages

If your proactive messages are not sending correctly, check that Conversation control is set to Release control.

To configure Conversation control

  1. In Admin Center, click Channels in the sidebar, then select Messaging and social > Messaging.
  2. On the Messaging channels page, click Manage settings.
  3. Expand the Conversation control section and select Release control.
  4. Click Save settings.
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