Learn how to send messages on WhatsApp using a chatbot

Last year, the ability to create newsletters and chatbots on WhatsApp appeared, and big giants like Booking.com and many small businesses started using WhatsApp chatbots to reach their clients. In addition, WhatsApp is popular with all segments of the population, making it easy to gain users’ trust. We will tell you what functions are available in the WhatsApp chatbot, why an enterprise needs a WhatsApp bot, and list the technical methods to connect a bot with WhatsApp. 

Why do you need a WhatsApp bot?

The primary function of a mailing list, chatbot, or WhatsApp landing page is to give customers information and make it easier to communicate within the organization. From a business point of view, this is the automation of routine operations and first contact with customers. With the help of a bot, you can talk about services, show the price, make an appointment with a client, and answer the most common questions from users. It will accelerate your business reach and boost sales too. 

Best of all, a chatbot is suitable for micro and small businesses in the B2C segment, for example, beauty salons, clothing brands, Auto parts services, food delivery, information business, etc.

Chatbots can be integrated with the CRM system. Then the manager will record the history of each client’s calls, receive requests for a callback and see the entire sales funnel. Advanced bots will automatically record the client for an appointment and add it to the schedule.

You cannot use a bot for spamming and mass mailings to a cold customer base – WhatsApp blocks such accounts. On the other hand, a good chatbot responds to incoming customer requests and does not become an annoying thorn on the phone.

How to connect a chatbot? 

There are four ways to do this: through authorized access to two WhatsApp products, on your own, or with the help of intermediaries.

Method 1: Connect to the WhatsApp Business API Platform

You need to get official permission to connect to the WhatsApp Business API platform from Facebook Business- fill out the form and wait for a decision. At the same time, you can make a bot and a landing page yourself. 

Earlier, only giant firms like Uber or Booking.com got access. But now, many small businesses are also using WhatsApp chatbots due to their affordability and ease of use. Sending messages within 24 hours of a customer’s incoming message will be free. To start a conversation with the company or respond later, you will need to pay – an average of 0.5-9 cents per message; the price depends on the country and the partner platform that helps you access the WhatsApp Business API.

Method 2: Download the WhatsApp Business App

Previously, the application was only available for the Android system, but in 2012 a version for iOS was released. As a result, this is a unique application for companies, which is somewhat different from a messenger for clients. 

Previously, the application was only available for the Android system, but in April 2019, a version for iOS was released. This is a unique application for companies, which is somewhat different from a messenger for clients. Its interesting features:

• Allows you to set up an auto-responder – a greeting, an informational message, or company hours.
• You can set up templates for quick answers to common questions.

• The complaint limit is higher. At least ten spam complaints are enough to block it regularly, but here it is 50.
• You can make a company business card in the profile – add an avatar, name, opening hours, and contacts.

WhatsApp Business cannot be called a full-fledged chatbot: it has a limited number of auto-replies, no integration with CRM, and analytics is limited to the number of messages sent, received, delivered, and read. But with its help, you can try mailing lists for free and manage the traffic of up to 30 incoming contacts per day.

Method 3. Write a program to work with the web interface

This will require a server or a stable local computer, knowledge of the Golang language, and programming skills. You write the bot’s logic, use the libraries to connect to WhatsApp, and run it on the server. WhatsApp considers you a regular user who uses the web version of the program.

You will still need to log in via phone. It is better to have a separate gadget with a SIM card for this – it must be constantly turned on and online. You cannot use two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone – only if it is a classic and a business application with different numbers.

The functionality and convenience of such a solution depend on the programmer – you can set up the logic for sending messages to different groups of clients, integration with CRM, sending files, analytics, and a personal account for each bot.

Own development is a long and complicated process; it is not suitable for private businesses. But if you want to use chatbots and make money selling them, this solution will help you stand out from your competitors.

Method 4. Buy a ready-made bot

Those who still made their way to the WhatsApp Business API or wrote their bot constructor are willing to sell them. However, if you don’t want to bother with connecting and configuring the bot on your own, then you can contact an intermediary.

How to write a script for a bot?

The script for mailings can be ordered when buying a chatbot or writing it yourself. The second option is better because only you know the specifics of your business, customers’ interests, and the correct answers to questions. When preparing a script, you need to compose its structure, write and format the text of each message, and think over the bot’s actions.

Structure

Make a list of FAQs for your product or service: what do customers typically want to do or find out? It can be an appointment, price, contact details, current promotions, a description of package services, delivery conditions, addresses of offices/stores. Such information will be the basis for the main menu of the bot.

Make up a response template for each item: a final answer with a return to the main menu or a transition to a level below. An example of a chain of four groups:

• Sign up for the travel 
• Choose a package
• Set a budget
• Select date and time

When writing a script, follow the document’s structure – there must be a response to each user action. You can check yourself in the structure view mode in Google Docs.

 Make sure that the chain of answers does not break. For example, if there are five choice points in the message, they must be answered. The last message in a thread usually repeats the main menu items or a command to return to the first message.

How to send messages on WhatsApp using a chatbot?

Last year, the ability to create newsletters and chatbots in WhatsApp appeared, and big giants like Booking.com and many small businesses started using WhatsApp chatbots to reach their clients. In addition, Whatsapp is popular with all segments of the population, making it easy to gain users’ trust. We will tell you what functions are available in the Whatsapp chatbot, why an enterprise needs a WhatsApp bot, and list the technical methods to connect a bot with Whatsapp.

Why do you need a WhatsApp bot?

The primary function of a mailing list, chatbot, or Whatsapp landing page is to give customers information and make it easier to communicate within the organization. From a business point of view, this is the automation of routine operations and first contact with customers. With the help of a bot, you can talk about services, show the price, make an appointment with a client, answer the most common questions from users. It will accelerate your business reach and boost sales too.

Best of all, a chatbot is suitable for micro and small businesses in the B2C segment, for example, beauty salons, clothing brands, Auto parts services, food delivery, information business, etc.

Chatbots can be integrated with the CRM system. Then the manager will record the history of each client’s calls, receive requests for a callback and see the entire sales funnel. Advanced bots will automatically record the client for an appointment and add it to the schedule.
You cannot use a bot for spamming and mass mailings to a cold customer base – WhatsApp blocks such accounts. On the other hand, a good chatbot responds to incoming customer requests and does not become an annoying thorn on the phone.

How to connect a chatbot?
There are four ways to do this: through authorized access to two WhatsApp products, on your own or with the help of intermediaries.

Method 1: Connect to the WhatsApp Business API Platform

You need to get official permission to connect to the Whatsapp Business API platform from Facebook Business- fill out the form and wait for a decision. At the same time, you can make a bot and a landing page yourself.

Earlier, only giant firms like Uber or Booking.com got access. But now, many small businesses are also using WhatsApp chatbots due to their affordability and ease of use. Sending messages within 24 hours of a customer’s incoming message will be free. To start a conversation with the company or respond later, you will need to pay – an average of 0.5-9 cents per message; the price depends on the country and the partner platform that helps you access the WhatsApp Business API.

Method 2: Download the WhatsApp Business App

Previously, the application was only available for the Android system, but in 2012 a version for iOS was released. As a result, this is a unique application for companies, which is somewhat different from a messenger for clients.
Previously, the application was only available for the Android system, but in April 2019, a version for iOS was released. This is a unique application for companies, which is somewhat different from a messenger for clients. Its interesting features:
Allows you to set up an auto-responder – a greeting, an informational message, or company hours.
You can set up templates for quick answers to common questions.

The complaint limit is higher. At least ten spam complaints are enough to block it regularly, but here it is 50.
You can make a company business card in the profile – add an avatar, name, opening hours, and contacts.

WhatsApp Business cannot be called a full-fledged chatbot: it has a limited number of auto-replies, no integration with CRM, and analytics is limited to the number of messages sent, received, delivered, and read. But with its help, you can try mailing lists for free and manage the traffic of up to 30 incoming contacts per day.

Method 3. Write a program to work with the web interface

This will require a server or a stable local computer, knowledge of the Golang language, and programming skills. You write the bot’s logic, use the libraries to connect to WhatsApp, and run it on the server. WhatsApp considers you a regular user who uses the web version of the program.

You will still need to log in via phone. It is better to have a separate gadget with a SIM card for this – it must be constantly turned on and online. You cannot use two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone – only if it is a classic and a business application with different numbers.
The functionality and convenience of such a solution depend on the programmer – you can set up the logic for sending messages to different groups of clients, integration with CRM, sending files, analytics, and a personal account for each bot.

Own development is a long and complicated process; it is not suitable for private businesses. But if you want to use chatbots and make money selling them, this solution will help you stand out from your competitors.

Method 4. Buy a ready-made bot

Those who still made their way to the WhatsApp Business API or wrote their bot constructor are willing to sell them. However, if you don’t want to bother with connecting and configuring the bot on your own, then you can contact an intermediary.

How to write a script for a bot?

The script for mailings can be ordered when buying a chatbot or writing it yourself. The second option is better because only you know the specifics of your business, customers’ interests, and the correct answers to questions. When preparing a script, you need to compose its structure, write and format the text of each message, and think over the bot’s actions.

Structure

Make a list of FAQs for your product or service: what do customers typically want to do or find out? It can be an appointment, price, contact details, current promotions, a description of package services, delivery conditions, addresses of offices/stores. Such information will be the basis for the main menu of the bot.
Make up a response template for each item: a final answer with a return to the main menu or a transition to a level below. An example of a chain of four groups:
-Sign up for the travel
-Choose a package
-Set a budget
-Select the date and time
When writing a script, follow the document’s structure – there must be a response to each user action. You can check yourself in the structure view mode in Google Docs.

Make sure that the chain of answers does not break. For example, if there are five choice points in the message, they must be answered. The last message in a thread usually repeats the main menu items or a command to return to the first message.

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