AI chatbot for small business in India: what it costs and how to choose
Most small businesses lose enquiries without knowing it: a customer visits your website at night, has a simple question, finds no answer, and leaves. An AI chatbot answers those questions instantly and collects the customer's number so you can follow up. This guide explains what to expect and how to choose one without overpaying.
What an AI chatbot actually does
- Answers common questions about your business, such as timings, prices, location and services, at any hour.
- Replies in the customer's language, including Hindi and Hinglish, so people can ask the way they speak.
- Collects the customer's name and phone number or email when they show interest, and sends it to you as a lead.
- Hands the customer to you when it is not sure, instead of guessing.
Which businesses benefit most
Any business that answers the same questions repeatedly or misses enquiries after hours: clinics and dentists, salons, coaching classes, real estate agents, gyms, restaurants, travel agents and local service providers. If you have ever thought, I wish I could answer every message right away, a chatbot is for you.
What does it cost?
Prices vary a lot, so compare carefully. Many well-known international chatbot tools list paid plans from roughly 29 to 45 US dollars a month (about 2,500 to 4,000 rupees), and WhatsApp-focused tools in India often start around 2,500 rupees a month plus message charges. Prices change, so check each provider's pricing page before you decide.
ONNT AI Chatbot has a Free plan with 100 AI replies a month and no card needed. Paid plans are Starter at 3,499 rupees a month (1,000 replies), Growth at 12,999 rupees (5,000 replies and live chat with a person) and Pro at 34,999 rupees (10,000 replies, an AI voice agent, live call transfer and video). Prices are in rupees and you can cancel any time.
A simple checklist for choosing
- Can you try it free on your real website before paying? Do not pay for something you have not tested with your own questions.
- Does it answer in Hindi, Hinglish and your regional language, or only English?
- Does it save leads and email them to you automatically?
- Can it hand the customer to a real person when needed, by chat or by call?
- Is the price in rupees, with no setup fee and no long contract?
- Where is your data stored, and can you delete it whenever you want?
- How easy is installation? One line of code is the standard to expect.
How to test a chatbot before you commit
Write down the ten questions your customers ask most. Put them into the chatbot's information, then ask each one yourself, in English and in Hindi or Hinglish. If it answers eight or more correctly and politely says it is not sure about the rest, it is ready to go on your site.
Start small
Begin with the Free plan, watch the leads and questions for two weeks, and upgrade only when you are close to the monthly limit or you want live chat or voice. There is no need to pay before the chatbot has brought you value.