In WideBot, attributes are essential components that help you capture, store, and manage information effectively. This guide provides an overview of attributes, explaining their role and how they contribute to enhancing your chatbot’s functionality.
What is an attribute?
Attributes are customizable data fields that can be used to capture and store specific information about users, products, or interactions within your platform.
Think of attributes as "little containers" that store valuable information within your chatbot, helping to categorize and manage data effectively. These attributes are essential for remembering user responses, tracking conversations, and personalizing the user experience.
Why Attributes Matter
- Data Management: Attributes help in categorizing and structuring data efficiently.
- Personalization: They enable you to tailor interactions and provide a more personalized experience.
- Tracking and Analysis: Attributes assist in tracking user interactions and analyzing data for better decision-making.
Common Uses
- User Data: Collecting information such as names, email addresses, and preferences.
- Interaction Tracking: Monitoring user actions and conversations.
- Customization: Personalizing responses and content based on stored attributes.
What are the Attributes format?
| Attribute Format | Description | Common Uses | Default Validation | Condition |
| Text |
Stores all sorts of alphanumeric characters like words, sentences, numbers, dates, signs, emojis, images, media, and even links, etc.
|
Names, descriptions, comments. |
Free input without any Validation
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| Phone | Store the user's phone number. | Contact information for users or businesses. | If the user enters invalid characters or an incorrect phone number format (e.g., "20202h8877"), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to enter a valid phone number. |
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| Stores the user's email address. | User emails for communication and account management. |
If the user enters invalid characters or an incorrect email format (e.g., missing "@" or domain part), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to enter a valid email address. |
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| Number |
Stores numeric values only. Note: All countries' numbers are supported (including country codes). |
Prices, quantities, statistical data. |
If the user enters an invalid number (e.g., "20u78"), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to enter a valid numeric value. |
|
| Location | Stores sent geographical locations or coordinates. | Addresses, business locations, service areas. | If the user enters an invalid location or does not provide a proper geographical location (e.g., entering text instead of a location), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to provide a valid location. |
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| Date & Time | Stores both date and time values. | Appointments, events, logs. | If the user enters an invalid date or time (e.g., entering text like "tomorrow" instead of a proper date or time format), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to provide a valid date and time. |
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| URL | Stores web addresses or URLs. | Links to websites or resources. | If the user enters an invalid URL (e.g., missing "http://" or "https://" or entering random text), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to provide a valid web address. |
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| Regex | Stores patterns for validating or extracting data. | Validating custom input formats. | If the user input doesn't match the defined regex pattern, the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to enter data that matches the expected format. |
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| Date | Stores date values only. | Birthdates, deadlines, anniversaries. | If the user enters an invalid date (e.g., "31st of February" or an incorrect format), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to provide a valid date. |
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| Time | Stores time values only. | Appointments, opening hours. | If the user enters an invalid time (e.g., "25:00" or using an incorrect format), the bot will send a "Retry message" and ask them to provide a valid time. |
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Note: Each attribute type has specific uses and validation options to ensure the data collected is appropriate and accurate.
Types of WideBot Attributes
1. User Attributes
- These store information you collect from users directly.
- For example, if you ask someone their name, address, or order details, the answers are saved in User Attributes.
- You can then use this information later in the conversation or during future interactions.
2. System Attributes
- These are automatically created by the chatbot platform and come from the channels like Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram.
- Examples include:
- A user’s first name, last name, and profile photo.
- Their language preference or timezone.
- You don’t need to set these up—they’re already there and help the bot run smoothly.
3. Global Attributes
- These are like shared containers used across the entire chatbot for consistent information.
- Let’s say you have a discount offer that shows up in several parts of your bot. Instead of updating each flow separately, you create a Global Attribute for the discount.
- Now, you can change the discount in one place, and it updates everywhere it’s used in the bot, saving you time.
Note: Understanding the different types of attributes allows you to use them effectively to improve user interaction and maintain a consistent chatbot experience.