> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sitegpt.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# User data collection

> Configure basic user data collection settings for your chatbot

Use user data collection settings to gather basic information from visitors before or during their chat conversations. This feature helps you identify and contact users who interact with your chatbot.

<Note>
  These are basic user data settings. For advanced lead collection with AI-powered forms, industry templates, custom fields, and booking integration, use the [Lead Collection](/features/lead-collection) feature.
</Note>

## Accessing user data settings

Navigate to your chatbot dashboard and select **Settings** → **User Data** to configure data collection options.

## Collection modes

Choose how strictly you want to enforce user data collection:

### Mandatory

Users must enter their details before they can continue the conversation.

**When to use:**

* High-value sales conversations
* Support tickets requiring contact information
* Compliance requirements for user identification

**User experience:** The chatbot displays a form that must be completed before any conversation can begin.

### Optional

The chatbot attempts to collect user details, but users can skip the form and continue chatting.

**When to use:**

* General information chatbots
* Balancing lead collection with user experience
* Reducing friction while still capturing some leads

**User experience:** Users see a form but can choose to skip it and start chatting immediately.

### Do not collect

The chatbot will not collect any user details.

**When to use:**

* Privacy-focused implementations
* Anonymous support chatbots
* Information-only chatbots where leads aren't needed

**User experience:** No data collection form appears; users can chat immediately without providing any information.

## Data types

Select which information you want to collect from visitors:

### Name

Collect the user's full name.

**Optional field** - Can be enabled or disabled based on your needs.

### Email address

Collect the user's email address.

**Required field** - Always collected when user data collection is enabled. Email is the primary identifier for leads and conversations.

### Phone number

Collect the user's phone number.

**Optional field** - Can be enabled or disabled based on your needs.

## How it works

When user data collection is enabled:

1. **First interaction:** When a user opens the chatbot, they see a form requesting their information
2. **Form submission:** Users enter their details and submit the form
3. **Conversation begins:** After submission (or skipping in Optional mode), the chat conversation starts
4. **Lead creation:** The collected information is saved as a lead in your dashboard
5. **Persistent identity:** The user's information is associated with all their messages in that conversation

## Best practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Use Optional mode for better conversion">
    Optional mode provides a good balance between lead collection and user experience. Users who are serious about getting help will provide their information.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep forms minimal">
    Only collect the data you actually need. Shorter forms have higher completion rates.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Explain why you're collecting data">
    Use the welcome message to explain how you'll use their information (e.g., "to send you a transcript" or "to follow up on your inquiry").
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Consider privacy regulations">
    Ensure your data collection complies with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations in your jurisdiction.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use advanced lead collection for complex needs">
    If you need custom fields, conditional logic, or booking integration, use the [Lead Collection](/features/lead-collection) feature instead.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Viewing collected data

All collected user data appears in two places:

1. **Leads dashboard:** Navigate to **Leads** to see all collected contact information
2. **Chat history:** Each conversation shows the associated user's information

Learn more about managing leads in the [Leads documentation](/navigating-your-chatbot/leads).

## Advanced lead collection

For more sophisticated lead collection needs, use the dedicated [Lead Collection](/features/lead-collection) feature, which offers:

* AI-powered lead qualification
* Industry-specific templates
* Custom form fields
* Conditional logic
* Calendar booking integration
* CRM integrations
* Lead scoring

## Difference from lead collection

| Feature           | User Data Collection | Lead Collection                  |
| ----------------- | -------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Purpose**       | Basic contact info   | Advanced lead qualification      |
| **Fields**        | Name, email, phone   | Custom fields, unlimited options |
| **Timing**        | Before/during chat   | Intelligent, context-aware       |
| **AI-powered**    | No                   | Yes                              |
| **Templates**     | No                   | Industry-specific templates      |
| **Integrations**  | Basic                | CRM, calendar, webhooks          |
| **Customization** | Limited              | Extensive                        |

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Users not seeing the data collection form">
    * Verify collection mode is set to Mandatory or Optional (not "Do Not Collect")
    * Clear browser cache and test in an incognito window
    * Check that the chatbot is properly embedded on your website
    * Ensure no custom CSS is hiding the form
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Form appearing every time">
    User data is stored in browser cookies. If users clear cookies or use incognito mode, they'll see the form again. This is expected behavior.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Want to collect more information">
    Basic user data collection only supports name, email, and phone. For custom fields, use the [Lead Collection](/features/lead-collection) feature.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Data not appearing in leads">
    * Ensure the form was submitted (not skipped in Optional mode)
    * Check the Leads dashboard after a few minutes for data to sync
    * Verify the user completed the form before closing the chat
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related features

* [Lead collection](/features/lead-collection) - Advanced lead qualification and custom forms
* [Leads dashboard](/navigating-your-chatbot/leads) - View and manage collected leads
* [Human support](/features/human-support) - Configure escalation to human agents
* [Chat history](/navigating-your-chatbot/chat-history) - View conversations with user information