Frequently Asked Questions
What is call deflection?
Call deflection is the practice of redirecting customer inquiries from expensive phone calls to lower-cost digital channels like live chat, AI chatbot, WhatsApp, or self-service. The goal is to resolve the same issues faster and cheaper without sacrificing customer satisfaction.
How much does a phone call cost compared to chat?
Industry benchmarks show the average phone call costs €5–€10 to handle, while a live chat session costs around €1–€3 (agents can handle multiple chats simultaneously). An AI chatbot interaction costs just €0.05–€0.25. This cost arbitrage is why call deflection delivers such strong ROI.
What deflection rate is realistic?
20% (Conservative) — Typical when first launching chat alongside phone support. Minimal promotion of the chat channel.
35% (Moderate) — Achievable within 3–6 months with proactive chat prompts, visible chat widgets, and training the AI on common questions.
50% (Aggressive) — Reached by businesses that actively promote self-service, use AI chatbot as the primary entry point, and optimize their knowledge base.
Will customers be frustrated if they cannot call?
Call deflection does not remove the phone option — it offers alternatives. Many customers actually prefer chat and messaging over phone calls. A 2024 survey found that 73% of customers prefer live chat for quick questions. The key is providing fast, quality responses on digital channels.
How does Boei help with call deflection?
Boei combines AI chatbot, live chat, and 50+ messaging channels (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, email, etc.) in a single widget. Visitors see multiple contact options and naturally gravitate to instant channels. The AI handles common questions automatically, and complex issues are routed to agents via their preferred channel.