Quick answer
Integrating a chatbot or auto-reply into a website connects your contact form to a messaging platform that replies within a minute, routes the lead and follows up automatically. The BuildSites automation plan is $297 a month with no upfront cost, or $445 a month bundled with a website. Setup takes about a week.
TorontoWe set up this kind of automation for service businesses in North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, Downtown and the Beaches and across Toronto. The call takes 20 minutes, by video. We work with you by video and on site where it helps.
What does lead automation mean for a service business?
Lead automation is a set of connected tools that reply to a new inquiry, route it to the right person and follow up, without anyone doing it by hand.
For a service business, that means a form fill at 10 PM gets a text and email reply within a minute, a booking link lands in the visitor's inbox, and the owner sees a routed notification, all before anyone touches a keyboard.
Under a minute is the reply window the automation targets, around the clock, in English or French, for every form fill, missed call and direct message.
How do you integrate a chatbot or auto-reply into a website?
The integration connects your contact form or booking widget to a messaging platform that fires a reply the moment a submission arrives.
The steps look like this:
- A visitor fills in a quote or contact form on your site.
- The form triggers a workflow in a platform such as HighLevel or Mailchimp.
- The workflow sends a text and email reply in under a minute, in English or French.
- The lead is routed to the right person, with a nudge if nobody responds within 15 minutes.
- A follow-up sequence runs at day 1, 3 and 7 if the lead has not booked.
The automation runs on the phone number, inbox and calendar you already use, so there is nothing new to log in to.
What are some chatbot website examples for service businesses?
The sites BuildSites has built show a range of approaches, from tap-to-call on a one-page barbershop site to a full quote flow with routing for a flooring company.
A few examples from the BuildSites work page:
- A flooring installer site with a free-quote form on every service page, wired to an instant text reply and a measure-booking link.
- A barbershop site with Square appointment booking and tap-to-call, so a visitor books in two taps.
- A plumbing and renovation site with a contact form that routes to the owner by text the moment it is submitted.
The form is the entry point. The automation behind it is what turns a submission into a booked job.
How much does website automation cost for a small business?
The automation plan is $297 a month with no upfront cost. Combined with a BuildSites website, the bundle is $445 a month, saving $149 a month compared with both plans separately.
| Plan | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Website | $297/mo | Up to 8 pages, care plan, forms with instant reply |
| Automation | $297/mo | Replies, reminders, invoices, review requests |
| Website + Automation | $445/mo | Both plans built to work as one system |
Text messaging is billed by the provider, typically $20 to $40 a month. There is no upfront build cost. A 12-month term applies, then month to month with 30 days' notice. All prices are in USD, plus applicable taxes. See the full pricing page for details.
See what automation saves
Use the calculator to enter your own numbers and see how lead automation fits your service business.
Try the calculatorHow long does it take to set up automation on an existing site?
Automation on a new BuildSites site is live within about a week. A bilingual French and English site usually takes one to two weeks.
If your site is already live, the automation connects to the forms, phone number and calendar you have now. The workflows for lead reply, booking reminders and invoice follow-up are covered in the lead follow-up automation, appointment reminder automation, contractor automation playbook and invoice automation guide.
Next step
Talk through your automation setup
On the call, a BuildSites advisor will walk through how lead reply, booking reminders and follow-up sequences would connect to your existing forms, phone number and calendar.
Questions we get asked
What is the definition of lead automation?
Lead automation is the process of using connected tools to reply to, route and follow up with new inquiries automatically. For a service business, every form fill, missed call and direct message gets a reply within a minute, at any hour.
How many chatbot platforms are there to choose from?
There are many platforms available. BuildSites uses HighLevel, Mailchimp or a simple CRM depending on what fits the business, and connects to Google Calendar, Square, Jane and Fresha for booking.
Does the automation work for businesses that serve customers in French?
Yes. The auto-reply, booking confirmations and follow-up sequences all run in English or French, or both, depending on how the site is set up.
What happens if a lead does not respond to the first reply?
The follow-up sequence sends messages at day 1, 3 and 7. If nobody on the team claims the lead within 15 minutes of it arriving, the system sends a nudge to the owner.
Is there an upfront cost to add automation to my website?
No. There is no upfront build cost. The first monthly payment is due when the site or automation goes live. The 12-month term applies, and remaining months are due on early cancellation.
Next step
Talk to us about your business
A 20-minute call. We'll tell you what we'd build, how long it takes and what it costs. Toronto, the GTA and Montréal.