You’ve got visitors on your website. They’re interested. But instead of reaching out, they leave without taking action – and just like that, a potential customer is gone.
That’s because most businesses wait too long to engage leads, and by the time they respond, the opportunity is already lost.
A lead generation chatbot is the best way to instantly connect with visitors, answer their questions, and collect their info – so you don’t lose another high-intent lead.
But you can only get those benefits if you choose the right chatbot platform. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll end up with a bot that does nothing to actually help conversions.
In this guide, we’ll show you the best chatbot for lead generation, how to set it up, and how to use it according to your unique needs.
What Is a Lead Generation Chatbot?
A lead generation chatbot is an automated chat assistant that helps businesses capture, qualify, and convert leads without making them fill out long forms or wait for a response. It engages visitors in real time and collects contact details, so your sales team can focus on closing deals instead of chasing cold leads.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Instant engagement: Capture quality leads the moment they land on your site before they click away.
- Lead qualification: Ask the right questions, filter out low-intent visitors, and send the best leads to your team.
- 24/7 availability: Generate leads around the clock, even when your team is offline.
Types of Lead Generation Chatbots
Depending on your business and where your leads come from, you’ll want a lead gen bot that’s built for the job.
Here are some of the most common types:
1. Inbound marketing chatbots (for turning website visitors into leads)
If you get traffic from blog posts, SEO, or organic search, an inbound marketing chatbot is a great choice.
Instead of letting visitors leave without taking action, this chatbot pops up at the right moment, engages them, and nudges them toward booking a call, signing up for a newsletter, or grabbing a free resource.
Best for: B2B companies, agencies, SaaS businesses, and content-heavy websites.
Example: Someone reads your blog about “Best CRM Tools for Startups.” A chatbot pops up and says, “Hey! Want a free CRM comparison guide? Drop your email here!”
2. Chatbots for lead capture from paid ads (PPC chatbots)
Running Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or LinkedIn Ads? A PPC chatbot helps convert ad clicks into real leads instead of wasted traffic.
Rather than sending users to a landing page they might bounce from, this chatbot engages them instantly and collects their details before they lose interest.
Best for: Businesses running paid ad campaigns that need better conversion rates.
Example: A chatbot on a PPC landing page for a marketing agency asks, “Looking for help with Facebook ads? Let’s chat! What’s your monthly budget?”
3. Real estate & mortgage chatbots
Buying a house is a big deal, and most people have a ton of questions before making a move. A real estate chatbot answers basic inquiries, collects key details (like budget and preferred location), and connects serious buyers or borrowers with an agent or loan officer.
Best for: Realtors, mortgage lenders, and property management companies.
Example: A chatbot on a real estate website asks visitors, “What’s your budget?” and “Are you pre-approved for a mortgage?”
4. Lead generation chatbots for B2B SaaS (free trial & demo chatbots)
For SaaS companies, a demo or free trial chatbot helps turn website visitors into product users without waiting for them to fill out a form.
Best for: B2B SaaS companies selling software via free trials or live demos.
Example: Instead of a boring “Request a demo” button, a chatbot asks, “Want to see how [Product Name] can boost your sales? Let’s book a quick demo!”
5. Job recruitment & candidate qualification chatbots
Hiring? A recruitment chatbot pre-screens candidates, collects resumes, and helps HR teams filter applicants based on experience, skills, or location.
Best for: Recruiters, HR departments, and hiring managers looking to automate candidate screening.
Example: A chatbot on a job listing page asks candidates, “Do you have 3+ years of experience in marketing?” If they say yes, the bot invites them to submit their resume.
6. Social media chatbots
Social media isn’t just for engagement. These bots automatically respond to DMs, comments, and inquiries, and guide potential leads toward booking a call, signing up for a service, or making a purchase.
Best for: Businesses that generate leads via Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc.
Example: Someone comments “I’m interested!” on your Facebook ad. Instead of manually responding, a chatbot instantly messages them with, “Awesome! Want to schedule a quick call? Click here!”
Most chatbots can handle multiple functions, like capturing leads, qualifying them, and even following up – so there’s often overlap in their capabilities. The key is finding one that aligns with your specific needs.
9 Great Lead Generation Chatbots
Some chatbots just collect emails and call it a day, while others actually help you convert leads into paying customers. Here are nine of the best to help you capture and qualify high-quality leads like a pro:
1. Social Intents
Best for proactively engaging website visitors and easy, codeless setup.
Social Intents helps you instantly engage visitors with live chat and AI lead generation bots so you don’t lose potential customers who are just browsing.
Plus, it works right inside Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Google Chat – so your team can handle leads without switching platforms.
Key features
- Codeless setup – Up and running in minutes, no tech skills needed.
- Proactive chat invitations – Reaches out to visitors before they leave.
- Live chat and chatbot hybrid – Mixes automation with real human support.
- CRM integrations – Sends leads straight to HubSpot, Salesforce, and more.
- Works inside Slack & Teams – Lets you talk to promising leads without leaving your chat apps.
- Unlimited agents – Gives you the option to add as many team members as you want.
- Real-time visitor monitoring – Tracks visitors and engages them at the right time.
Best for:
Businesses that want a simple, proactive lead gen chatbot that integrates with their existing workflow.
2. Chatbase
Best for creating AI chatbots trained on your own data.
Chatbase helps you train your chatbot on your own knowledge base, so it actually knows your business and doesn’t just spit out generic responses.
Key features
- AI-powered responses – Feels more natural and less scripted.
- Trains on your data – Uses your docs, FAQs, and files to provide relevant answers.
- Integrates with multiple platforms – Works on websites, apps, and more.
- Detailed analytics – Shows you how well your chatbot is handling conversations.
Best for
Businesses that want an AI chatbot tailored to their brand. However, some users say it can be tricky to fine-tune, especially for complex use cases.
3. Drift
Best for real-time sales conversations and lead qualification.
Drift specializes in real-time sales conversations, making it a great choice for B2B businesses that need to qualify leads before sending them to sales reps.
Key features
- Conversational AI – Feels more like a real conversation.
- Automated meeting scheduling – Lets leads book demos without the back-and-forth.
- CRM & email integration – Syncs with Salesforce, HubSpot, and more.
- Lead routing – Sends high-intent leads straight to the right sales rep.
Best for
Sales-focused teams that want to turn website visitors into booked meetings. However, pricing can be steep for small businesses.
4. Landbot
Best for no-code chatbot building with interactive flows.
Landbot lets you build chatbots without writing a single line of code, and the bots feel more like a real conversation, thanks to its interactive chat flows.
Key features
- No coding required – Super easy to set up and customize.
- Interactive chat flows – Guides users through a conversation naturally.
- Multi-channel support – Works on WhatsApp, Messenger, and websites.
- Zapier & CRM integrations – Makes automated lead capture effortless.
Best for
Businesses that want a visual chatbot builder for lead generation. However, it can get pricey as you scale up.
5. Nextiva
Best for all-in-one business communication with chat automation.
Nextiva is a full-on communication platform that includes live chat, VoIP, video calls, and more. If you need a lead gen chatbot plus extra communication tools, this could be a good fit.
Key features
- AI-powered automation – Handles lead capture and routing.
- Multi-channel support – Connects with voice, chat, and video.
- CRM integration – Syncs lead data across platforms.
- Advanced analytics – Tracks customer interactions.
Best for
Businesses looking for a chatbot that fits into a larger communication system. However, it has a lot of features, which can feel overwhelming for small teams.
6. Tidio
Best for ecommerce stores looking for live chat and chatbots.
Tidio is a good mix of live chat and chatbots, making it ideal for ecommerce stores that want to capture leads, recover abandoned carts, and provide instant support to shoppers.
Key features
- Live chat and chatbot automation – The best of both worlds.
- Pre-built chatbot templates – Lets you set up lead gen workflows in minutes.
- Visitor tracking – Tracks what customers are browsing.
- Email follow-ups – Keeps the conversation going even after visitors leave.
Best for
Small to mid-sized ecommerce businesses. However, advanced customization is limited compared to some competitors.
7. ChatLab
Best for creating highly personalized chatbot experiences.
ChatLab lets you create bots that feel more human and adapt to different user needs.
Key features
- AI-driven personalization – Tailors conversations based on visitor behavior.
- A/B testing – To see which chatbot flows convert better.
- Multi-platform support – Works on websites, Messenger, and WhatsApp.
- Lead scoring – Prioritizes high-value leads.
Best for
Businesses that want smarter, more personalized lead generation chatbots. However, it takes some trial and error to get the best results.
8. Intercom
Best for customer support and lead generation.
Intercom is a powerful chatbot platform that combines customer support, sales, and marketing automation all in one. If you want a chatbot that does more than just capture leads, Intercom is worth considering.
Key features
- AI-powered chatbots – Handles lead gen and customer support.
- Live chat handoff – Seamlessly moves leads to human agents.
- Proactive messaging – Engages visitors before they ask for help.
- Deep CRM integrations – Syncs with HubSpot, Salesforce, and more.
Best for
Businesses that want a chatbot for both sales and support. However, it’s one of the pricier options out there.
9. Botsonic
Best for AI-powered, no-code chatbot building.
Botsonic is a simple, no-code AI chatbot builder that lets businesses automate lead generation and support without needing a developer.
Key features
- No-code setup – Quick and easy bot building.
- AI-driven conversations – Feels more natural than basic bots.
- CRM integrations – Captures leads and syncs them automatically.
- Omnichannel support – Works on websites, social media, and messaging apps.
Best for
Businesses looking for a simple AI chatbot without coding. However, some users say the AI responses can be hit or miss.
Must-Have Features of a Lead Gen Chatbot
With so many types of lead generation chatbots out there, it can be tough to know which one is right for your business. The best way to narrow it down is to look for a chatbot that has these key features:
AI-powered conversational flow
Your chatbot should feel natural, not robotic. AI-powered chatbots can handle real conversations, understand context, and respond intelligently so visitors stay engaged instead of getting frustrated.
Pre-qualification
Not every lead is a good lead. A great chatbot filters out low-intent visitors by asking the right questions – like budget, needs, or timeline – so your sales team only spends time on the most promising prospects.
Proactive engagement
A good lead gen chatbot doesn’t just sit there waiting. It actively starts conversations with visitors based on their behavior. Whether it’s a timed pop-up or a response to a specific action, proactive chatbots pull leads in before they bounce.
CRM and marketing tools integration
If your chatbot captures a lead but doesn’t send the data anywhere useful, what’s the point? The best chatbots sync with your CRM and marketing tools, so leads go straight into your funnel for follow-ups and nurturing.
Multichannel support
Your leads aren’t just on your website. A great chatbot works everywhere – your website, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, and more – so you can capture and engage leads wherever they prefer to chat.
Automated follow-ups
Most leads aren’t ready to buy immediately, and that’s why follow-ups matter. A great chatbot can send reminders, share helpful content, or schedule a follow-up chat, so you stay top of mind without relying on manual outreach.
Customizable chat flows (training it on your own data)
No two businesses are the same, so why should chatbots have a one-size-fits-all approach? The best ones let you train them on your own data, customize responses, and build flows that match your specific business needs – so they feel like a seamless part of your brand.
How to Set Up a Lead Generation Bot
Setting up a lead generation chatbot might sound technical, but with Social Intents, it’s super straightforward.
Follow these steps to have your chatbot engaging visitors and capturing leads in no time:
Step 1: Get your OpenAI API key
Before setting up your chatbot, you’ll need an OpenAI API key to enable ChatGPT-powered conversations.
Go to OpenAI’s website and create an account if you don’t already have one. Once logged in, head over to Dashboard > API Keys > Create New Secret Key.
Copy this key – you’ll need it in the next step.
Step 2: Sign up for Social Intents and set up your chatbot
Now that you have your API key, it’s time to create your chatbot inside Social Intents.
Go to Social Intents and sign up for a free trial. During the signup process, choose the ChatGPT integration to connect your chatbot with OpenAI’s AI capabilities.
Step 3: Train your chatbot on your own data
Instead of using generic AI responses, you can train your chatbot on your own business data so it gives accurate, brand-specific answers.
Here’s how:
- If you have a help center or FAQ page, provide the URL, and Social Intents will pull data automatically.
- If you’re using a document (like an FAQ spreadsheet, Word doc, or PDF), upload it directly, and the chatbot will use it to generate responses.
- You can also manually add common customer questions and answers for more control over responses.
Step 4: Set up proactive engagement and lead capture
Inside your Social Intents dashboard, go to the Customize Text tab and set up:
- Pre-chat forms: In the Pre-Chat Form section, you can customize the questions your chatbot asks before a chat starts. Collect details like name, email, and inquiry type to qualify leads before sending them to your sales team.
- Proactive chat invites: Under the Proactive Pop-Up Message section, you can create automatic chat triggers based on visitor behavior (like time on page, scrolling, or exit intent). This helps engage leads before they bounce.
That’s it. Your Social Intents lead generation chatbot is ready to go.
9 Ways to Use a Lead Generation Chatbot
Now that you know what makes a great lead generation chatbot, the next step is figuring out how to put it to work for your business.
Here are some of the best ways to use a chatbot to capture and convert more leads:
1. Proactively engaging website visitors to capture contact details
Most visitors won’t fill out a form unless they’re really interested.
A chatbot can start the conversation for you by popping up at the right time with a simple question like, “Need help finding the right plan?” or “Looking for a quick demo?” This keeps visitors engaged and makes it easy for them to share their contact details.
2. Filtering out unqualified leads to save time for sales teams
Not every lead is a good fit, and sales teams shouldn’t waste time chasing dead-end conversations. A chatbot can ask a few qualifying questions upfront and only pass along high-intent leads to your sales reps.
3. Scheduling sales calls or product demos instantly
Instead of going back and forth via email, a chatbot can let leads book a call or demo on the spot by integrating with scheduling tools like Calendly. This reduces friction and speeds up the sales process.
4. Capturing leads for abandoned carts, discounts, and product recommendations
For ecommerce businesses, a chatbot can recover lost sales by reminding visitors about items left in their cart or offering a small discount to encourage them to complete their purchase. It can also suggest related products based on what a visitor is browsing.
5. Engaging potential leads on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram
Not all leads come from your website. A chatbot can capture and qualify leads directly through social media messaging apps, engaging with people who comment on your posts or send a direct message. This makes it easy to nurture leads where they already spend time.
6. Collecting attendee information and reminding them about events
If you’re running a webinar, conference, or any other event, a chatbot can handle registrations, send reminders, and follow up with attendees afterward. This helps keep engagement high and ensures you don’t lose potential leads.
7. Engaging and warming up leads who aren’t ready to buy yet
Some leads need more time before making a decision. A chatbot can send follow-ups, share helpful content, and keep the conversation going until they’re ready to take the next step. This keeps your brand top of mind without being pushy.
8. Capturing leads for service-based businesses
Law firms, consultants, and agencies rely on inbound leads, but getting visitors to fill out a contact form isn’t always easy. A chatbot can guide them through the process, answer common questions, and collect details in a way that feels conversational rather than transactional.
9. Capturing potential homebuyers or loan applicants
Real estate and mortgage companies can use chatbots to pre-qualify leads, gather details about what buyers or borrowers are looking for, and schedule appointments. This makes the lead capture process faster and more efficient.
Social Intents: The Best Lead Generation Chatbot for Capturing High-Intent Leads
Some chatbots just sit there, waiting for visitors to start a conversation. Social Intents takes a different approach – it proactively engages potential leads before they even think about leaving your site.
Here’s how:
Proactive engagement that converts more leads
Most website visitors don’t reach out first. They browse, hesitate, and then leave. Social Intents changes that by starting the conversation for you.
With proactive chat invitations, you can:
- Trigger personalized messages based on visitor behavior (like time on page or exit intent).
- Greet visitors with a tailored question that encourages them to engage.
- Offer relevant help at the right moment, increasing the chances of capturing their contact details.
Pre-chat surveys for better lead qualification
Not all leads are created equal. With pre-chat surveys, you can filter out low-intent visitors before your sales team gets involved.
- Ask key questions like name, email, company size, and reason for inquiry before a chat starts.
- Automatically qualify leads based on their responses, so sales teams only talk to the best prospects.
- Reduce wasted time by routing leads to the right department instantly.
Codeless setup to get started in minutes
Setting up a chatbot doesn’t have to be a technical headache. Social Intents makes it easy with a no-code setup. Just sign up, customize your chat widget, and go live in minutes.
Ready to Capture More Leads?
The best lead generation chatbot should proactively engage visitors, qualify leads, and move them closer to conversion without adding extra work for your team.
Social Intents does exactly that by giving you all the tools you need – from pre-chat surveys to proactive chat invitations – to start more conversations and turn website visitors into real opportunities.
Plus, with its easy, no-code setup, you can get started right away.
Want to see for yourself? Sign up for a free 14-day trial and start converting more website visitors today.