What RM2,500 buys
A scoped assistant that answers your top questions (price list, hours, availability), captures the enquiry, and routes it to WhatsApp with context attached. This tier fixes the after-hours leak, which is where most small businesses lose the most.
What RM8,000+ systems include
The full machine: conversion website, AI assistant that qualifies and books into a real calendar, no-show reminder flows, follow-up automation, and an owner dashboard. This is the Clinic Autopilot pattern, live in 21 days, and one recovered customer often covers the build.
Monthly running costs
A state-machine bot (scripted logic, like my MakanSihat build) runs with zero AI fees. LLM-powered assistants typically cost a few sen per conversation in API usage. Hosting on modern edge platforms is effectively free at SME traffic levels.
When a chatbot is NOT worth it
If you get under a handful of enquiries a week, fix your Google Business Profile and response speed first. A chatbot multiplies existing demand handling; it does not conjure demand.