Designing an integrated chatbot for the sales department: enhancing the user experience using the design thinking methodology, Peru
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53732/rccsociales/e701125Keywords:
Chatbots, user experience, design thinking, human-computer interaction (hci), retail trade, information systemsAbstract
The aim of this study was to design and implement a WhatsApp chatbot to optimize real-time access to key information (prices, stock, and sizes) for sales consultants in retail stores in Lima, Peru. A qualitative approach was employed using the Design Thinking methodology, which involved the empathy phase through interviews with 12 sales consultants, ideation and prototyping with no-code tools (Make and WhatsApp Cloud API), and validation through a heuristic evaluation conducted by a retail and automation expert. The findings revealed improvements in operational efficiency, reduced information retrieval time, and high frequency of chatbot use among consultants. In conclusion, the integration of chatbots into the retail sales environment shows significant potential to enhance the in-store experience and support commercial decision-making. Future research is encouraged to evaluate its quantitative impact on sales performance and customer satisfaction.
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