IMified might be an easy way to get started, it lets you build IM chat bots with server-side web development tools to receive messages, and just by making HTTP requests to send messages or request statuses.
http://www.imified.com/hosting/
IMified's API-based solution for
creating and hosting instant messaging
applications removes the complexity
and provides a simple solution for
building and deploying IM applications
on multiple public IM networks using
one API.
API docs here:
http://www.imified.com/developers/api
An application connected to the
IMified platform is in its simplest
form a dynamic web page that resides
on any HTTP server and listens for
incoming messages then outputs a
response. You specify an endpoint URL
in your bots' settings. Developers may
also "push" messages to users, as well
as request a users presence via a REST
api call to IMified's server.
