Introduction to Ask Actions
How Ask Actions Work
Ask Actions prompt users with a question and wait for their response.
Once the user provides the requested information, the chatbot:
Validates the input (if validation is enabled)
Stores the response in a variable
Continues to the next action in the workflow
Example interaction:
Bot: What is your email address? User: [email protected]
The chatbot stores the email address and uses it in later steps.
Accessing Ask Actions
To add an Ask Action in the bot builder:
Open Bot Builder
Click Add Node
Select the Ask tab
Choose the required Ask Action
Configure the question and settings
Click Create
The Ask Action will then appear as a node in the bot workflow.
Types of Ask Actions
OwnChat provides several Ask Actions to collect different types of user input.
Ask Text
Collects a free-text response from the user.
Common uses:
Customer name
Feedback or comments
Custom responses
Ask Number
Collects a numeric input from the user and validates it as a number.
Common uses:
Quantity of items
Age
Order numbers
Ask Phone Number
Collects a valid phone number from the user.
Common uses:
Customer contact information
OTP verification
Support communication
Ask Email
Collects a valid email address and validates the format.
Common uses:
Lead generation
Newsletter signups
Account registration
Ask Date
Allows users to select or enter a specific date.
Common uses:
Appointment booking
Delivery scheduling
Event registration
Ask URL
Collects a website URL from the user.
Common uses:
Portfolio links
Website submissions
Social media links
Ask Location
Captures the user's geographical location.
Users can provide location by:
Sharing their live location
Entering their address manually
Common uses:
Delivery services
Location-based services
Ask File
Allows users to upload files during the conversation.
Supported file types may include:
Images
Documents
Attachments
Common uses:
Document verification
Resume submissions
Image uploads
Ask Order
Allows users to select products or services within the chatbot.
Common uses:
Product orders
Food delivery
Service bookings
Ask Address
Collects a complete address from the user.
The user can provide details such as:
Street address
City
State
Postal code
Common uses:
Delivery addresses
Service location details
Customer profile information
Ask Flow
The Ask Flow action allows the chatbot to trigger another question-based flow and collect structured information within that flow.
This is useful when a conversation requires multiple related inputs grouped into a separate flow.
Common uses:
Multi-step forms
Lead qualification processes
Complex data collection workflows
Address List
The Address List option allows users to select from previously saved addresses or predefined address options.
This improves the user experience by allowing quick selection instead of manually entering address details each time.
Common uses:
Repeat deliveries
Saved customer addresses
Quick address selection
Common Configuration Fields
Most Ask Actions include the following settings.
Action Name
The internal name used to identify the action in the workflow.
Message
The question shown to the user.
Error Attempt
Defines how many invalid responses are allowed before triggering the next action.
Error Message
Displayed when the user enters an invalid response.
Action on Invalid
Determines the system behavior if the user exceeds the allowed attempts.
Options include:
End the flow
Skip the question
Trigger fallback flow
Store Response in Variable
Stores the user's response so it can be used later in the workflow.
Example Ask Flow
Example chatbot interaction:
Bot: What is your phone number? User: 9876543210 Bot: What is your email address? User: [email protected] Bot: Please share your delivery address. User: 25 Park Street, New York
The chatbot collects all responses and stores them for further processing.
Best Practices
Follow these recommendations when designing Ask Action flows.
Ask clear questions
Make sure the user clearly understands what information is required.
Use the correct input type
Choose the appropriate Ask Action to ensure proper validation.
Store responses properly
Save responses in variables for later use.
Limit the number of questions
Too many questions in a row may reduce user engagement.
Use fallback flows
Fallback flows help guide users when invalid responses occur.
Summary
Ask Actions allow chatbots to collect user input and build interactive conversations.
With Ask Actions, you can:
Collect different types of customer data
Validate user input automatically
Store responses in variables
Use collected data for automation and personalization
Build structured and interactive chatbot workflows
Ask Actions are a key component for creating dynamic chatbot conversations and automated business processes.
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