How to Use Drift

Getting started with Drift

In this guide, you will learn how to set up Drift to engage visitors on your website using chatbots and live chat. You’ll also discover how to automate meeting scheduling to enhance your B2B sales process.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Visit the Drift website.
2. Click on the "Get Started" button located at the top right corner of the page.
3. Fill in the required information to create an account. You may be offered a demo or trial period, so check for any free tier options.
4. Once signed up, log in and follow the prompts to set up your account, including adding your company details and connecting your calendar for meeting scheduling.

Step 2: Your first chatbot

1. From the Drift dashboard, click on "Bots" in the left sidebar.
2. Click on the "Create Bot" button.
3. Select a template or build a custom bot. For beginners, choose the "Lead Qualification" template.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your bot’s greeting message, questions, and responses.
5. Once set up, click "Save" and then "Publish" to make your bot live on your website.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Regularly check the "Analytics" section from the left sidebar to monitor your bot’s performance.
2. Adjust your bot's questions based on customer interactions to improve lead qualification.
3. Use the "Routing" feature to direct qualified leads to your sales team by integrating with your CRM.
4. Set up "Live Chat" by clicking on "Live Chat" in the left sidebar and enabling it. This allows human agents to take over conversations when necessary.

Pro tip

Take advantage of Drift's "Playbooks" feature to automate specific tasks. For instance, you can create a playbook that automatically schedules meetings based on visitor actions, saving you time on manual follow-ups.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid neglecting the bot's responses. Many users set up their bots and forget to review and update the conversation flows based on real customer interactions, leading to missed opportunities for engagement. Regularly refine your bot's script based on feedback and analytics.