With over two billion users, WhatsApp Messenger has recently become a true business tool. Companies are using it to perform a number of tasks, such as reducing call center workloads thanks to chatbots. Companies have WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business API at their disposal. Usually used in conjunction with a WhatsApp chatbot, it enables medium-sized and large companies to connect with customers all over the world. Read on to find out how to use the WhatsApp Business chatbot API.
WhatsApp Business: what is it?
Available on App Store and Google Play Store, WhatsApp offers small businesses a few basic options. The app makes it easy to communicate with customers, respond quickly to clients and set up a business profile. However, WhatsApp Business has been developed for one-to-one conversations. Businesses handle customer inquiries via a cell phone. As a result, this application is not suitable for use in professional customer service with a support team.
With the aim of providing large companies with a scalable and flexible means of doing so, Facebook launched the WhatsApp Business API in August 2018. This tool is handy for businesses that receive a lot of customer messages. What’s more, it lets you send messages to a wide audience, integrate messaging with the site’s CRM and synchronize third-party services. It’s ideal for promotional e-mails, and lets you use a chatbot to quickly achieve your objectives.
WhatsApp Business Chatbot: what is it?
Given the sheer number of people using its application, WhatsApp has introduced chatbots. This introduction was made with the aim of enabling companies to communicate with customers efficiently. WhatsApp chatbot software is powered by artificial intelligence that works on the basis of a set of pre-established rules to have a conversation with humans on chat seamlessly.
It is configured to automatically respond to customer requests on behalf of the company. It mimics spoken and written human interaction with the aim of simulating interaction or conversation with physical people. Similarly, the WhatsApp chatbot has been set up to offer a fast way to interact with business customers and solve their problems in real time. Thanks to this tool, consumers get quick answers to their concerns.
As a result, WhatsApp chatbot software makes it easy for businesses to offer their customers all the support they need. This tool enables the company to improve the customer experience and demonstrate your commitment to satisfying your brand’s consumers.
What are the steps involved in creating a WhatsApp Business chatbot with the WhatsApp Business API?
It’s easy to set up a chatbot with WhatsApp Business. The development of this conversational agent requires only a plan and aims to create a sophisticated bot. With the WhatsApp bot, you can assist your consumers on their preferred platform and respond immediately to their message. What’s more, you’re in control of your communication with customers.
As a result, you can lead the buyer down the sales funnel to purchase your brands’ products. When you have a WhatsApp Business chatbot, you benefit from secure end-to-end communication that’s more comfortable and accessible. Before using the WhatsApp Business chatbot API, there are some specific steps you need to take. Find out more below.
Request a WhatsApp Business API
The first thing to do before using a WhatsApp bot for your company is to request the WhatsApp Business API. At this stage, you have the option of making the request as a customer or solution provider. The request is made by filling in a form with all your information such as :
- Company name,
- Website address,
- The place of residence and address of the company representative, etc.
It is possible to apply directly to WhatsApp or through its dedicated solution providers. Once the application has been made, WhatsApp examines it and takes care to verify your business details, the document certifying your company address and all the other data you’ve provided. Once approved by the web platform, you will be authorized to use the chatbot.
Choose a chatbot platform
In order to offer better support to your customers, you need tools and websites that can help you better manage and structure incoming conversations. Hence the need to choose a chatbot platform that will help you integrate the chatbot with your WhatsApp Business API.
There are many robot websites on the market. When selecting the one that will help you get your professional bot, you need to consider your priorities and service model. Typically, a chatbot platform offers several services such as 24/7 customer service availability. It also simplifies the transfer of complex requests from robot to human. Chatbot platforms also provide companies with multilingual support.
Botnation offers you a solution for creatinga chatbot using the WhatsApp Business API. We offer several features that are ideal for improving your customer relations, such as 24/7 accessibility and multilingual support. This means you’ll be closer to your customers and able to communicate with them in real time without any problems. Our experts can support you in your project to create a chatbot for your company. We look forward to hearing from you!
Determine a conversion flow
Since WhatsApp’s chatbot service is in its initial phase, you need to proceed with the definition of an appropriate dialog flow tailored to your business. The conversation flow helps determine what your customer gets when interacting with the bot. You need to think about the kinds of questions your customers might ask.
You also need to think about how the bot will answer questions that are not in its library. The conversation flow you determine will be used by your chatbot service provider to create an appropriate flow.
Test the WhatsApp Business chatbot
The WhatsApp Business chatbot API is designed to enhance the customer experience. It also provides a rapid flow of information about the company and any problems customers may be experiencing. For your business bot to be effective, you need to test it by asking random questions to see if it can answer them. In this way, you’ll be able to identify problems and resolve them in good time before the robot is released on the market.
How can the WhatsApp Business chatbot API be used?
Typically, this tool is used for customer support. It is actually set up to respond to requests from the company’s customers. However, you can also use it to send notifications to your contacts or customers. This is really useful for all business-related communications between you and the customer. If you want to send notifications via WhatsApp, you’ll need to request access to the application’s commercial API, as well as the use of customer support.
