Ask Order
The Ask Order action allows the chatbot to collect product or service order details from users during a conversation.
This action enables customers to select items directly from a product catalog, confirm quantities, and submit their order within the chatbot interface.
The selected product details are captured and stored in a variable, allowing the system to process orders automatically and continue the workflow.
When to Use Ask Order
Use the Ask Order action when the chatbot needs to collect product selections from a catalog.
Common Use Cases
Restaurant food ordering
E-commerce product purchases
Service bookings with package options
Menu-based ordering systems
Product selection during checkout
Example interaction:
Bot: Order your favorite food now! Please select the items you would like to order from our menu catalogue. User: Selects items from catalog
The chatbot captures the selected products and order details.
How to Add Ask Order
Follow these steps to add the Ask Order action to your bot workflow.
Open Bot Builder
Click Add Node
Select the Ask tab
Choose Ask Order
Configure the required fields
Click Create
Once created, the chatbot will prompt users to select items from the configured catalog.
Ask Order Configuration
When creating an Ask Order action, several configuration fields must be completed.
Action Name
The Action Name identifies the order collection step within the bot workflow.
This name is visible only inside the bot builder.
Example:
Collect Customer Order Food Order Selection Product Order Capture
In the walkthrough example, the action name is "Collect the order."
Message
The Message field contains the prompt displayed to users.
Example:
🍔 Order Your Favorite Food Now! We're ready to serve you 😊 Please select the items you would like to order from our menu catalogue below. 🔗 View Full Menu Here: https://wa.me/c/919876543210 Select the products and confirm the quantity to continue.
This message instructs users how to choose items from the catalog.
The message supports:
Dynamic variables
Text formatting
Emojis
Variables can be inserted using the Add Variable option.
Error Attempt
The Error Attempt field defines how many invalid attempts are allowed.
Example:
Error Attempt: 3
If the user does not select items properly, the chatbot triggers the configured Action on Invalid behavior.
Error Message
The Error Message is displayed when the user submits an invalid order response.
Example:
Please select items directly from the catalogue to place your order.
This helps guide users to select products correctly.
Action on Invalid
This setting defines how the chatbot behaves when the user exceeds the allowed number of invalid attempts.
Available options include:
End the Flow
Stops the chatbot conversation.
Skip the Question
Allows the chatbot to continue without collecting order details.
Fall Back Flow
Redirects the user to another predefined flow.
Store Response in Variable
The Store Response in Variable option saves the order details collected from the catalog.
Example variable:
ordered_details
The walkthrough shows creating a variable such as ordered_details to store the order response data.
Creating a New Variable
If a variable does not already exist:
Click Create New Variable.
Enter a variable name.
Example:
ordered_details
Select the variable in the Store Response field.
Click Create to save the configuration.
Data Captured by Ask Order
When a user places an order, the chatbot captures structured order details, including:
Selected product name
Quantity
Product price
Currency
Total order value
The diagram on page 15 shows that these values are captured in a structured format for further processing in the workflow.
Example Ask Order Interaction
Example chatbot conversation:
Bot: Order your favorite food now! Please select the items you would like to order from our menu catalogue. User: Selects Pizza (2) and Burger (1)
The chatbot stores the order details in the variable:
ordered_details
and continues the workflow.
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations when using Ask Order.
Provide clear ordering instructions
Explain how users should select products from the catalog.
Include a catalog link
Provide a direct menu or product catalog link when needed.
Use meaningful action names
Clearly label the order collection step.
Provide helpful error messages
Guide users when incorrect responses occur.
Store order data properly
Save order details in variables for processing.
Summary
The Ask Order action enables chatbots to collect product orders directly from a catalog during conversations.
With Ask Order, you can:
Allow customers to select products within the chatbot
Capture product selections and quantities
Store order details in variables
Validate order inputs
Automate order processing workflows
This feature helps businesses streamline product ordering and improve customer purchasing experiences through chatbot automation.
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