Question 1

How much does an AI chatbot cost for a small business?

Accepted Answer

Lanternkit has three starting points: Starter is $500 one-time for a conversion-tuned website; Growth is $1,500 for setup plus $199 per month for the site, chatbot and ongoing tuning; and Scale is $3,000 for setup plus $499 per month for the site, chatbot, content and SEO work. The engagement and tier determine the final scope, so we confirm the right fit before any work begins.

Question 2

What ships with a Lanternkit engagement?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the tier, you receive a mobile-first website, an on-brand chatbot where included, booking/contact/quote flows, analytics and hosting. Growth adds chatbot qualification and monthly tuning; Scale adds ongoing content, local SEO, AI-search optimization and a monthly report. Setup covers the initial build and launch; the retainer covers the ongoing hosting, monitoring, tuning and content/SEO work included in your tier.

Question 3

How do you train the chatbot on the owner’s voice?

Accepted Answer

We start with the owner’s existing answers, FAQs, writing samples and front-desk conversations, then shape the chatbot around how the business actually speaks and sells. You review the first version, we tune the wording and boundaries, and the team can keep updating it as offers, policies and common questions change. A generic prompt alone is not a substitute for that review.

Question 4

What happens when the chatbot cannot answer?

Accepted Answer

It should not invent an answer. Instead, it captures the visitor’s context and routes or escalates the edge case to the owner or team through the configured inbox or CRM, with a human handoff where that is the right next step.

Question 5

How fast can my website and chatbot go live?

Accepted Answer

The usual positioning is 2–4 weeks from kickoff to launch. That range assumes we receive the needed content and tool access on time and that milestones are approved promptly. We set the exact schedule with you once we understand the business, tier and integrations involved.

Question 6

What integrations and compliance are covered?

Accepted Answer

We can typically wire the tools you already use where feasible, including Google Calendar, Calendly, Square, Vagaro, OpenTable or Resy, plus email, inbox and CRM handoffs. Compliance is handled thoughtfully: privacy-conscious data handling, clear consent, retention and access decisions, and owner review of regulated claims. We do not promise universal legal compliance or certifications that are not part of the engagement.