How to Create a WhatsApp bot in 5 Simple Steps

Updated on October 26, 2023

According to Statista, 3 billion people rely on phone-based messaging apps to connect and communicate with one another. Surveys also confirm that WhatsApp leads the global smartphone messenger war with 44 percent market share (1mtb).

Put these two statistics together, and it is evident that WhatsApp, as a business communication channel, will reap dividends for businesses. Until recently, email, phone, website, live chat, and social media messengers have been the primary means of communicating with customers. The introduction of WhatsApp bots into the mix provides a simple, direct, and real-time means of communication.

What is a WhatsApp Bot?

A WhatsApp chatbot is an automated system that can converse with customers through WhatsApp. The WhatsApp number would be your business number. The chatbot can provide quick replies, take customer queries, and offer canned responses or customer account information. The chatbot functions based on the user’s input through phrases or keypad presses programmed in its backend.

To leverage a WhatsApp chatbot, you need the WhatsApp Business API, which activates upon receiving a message from a user to your business. Explore an example of a WhatsApp chatbot from Kommunicate by clicking on the banner below.

How to create a WhatsApp chatbot – Step by Step

In this blog you will learn how to create a WhatsApp bot with this comprehensive step-by-step guide. Building a WhatsApp bot doesn’t require coding skills if you utilize the appropriate tools. Building a whatsApp bot involves two primary steps:

1. Applying for WhatsApp API
2. Build the WhatsApp bot

How to apply for WhatsApp Business API?

Here are the steps you should follow to apply for WhatsApp business API and set up your dedicated WhatsApp Business number.

Step 1: Sign up for Meta for Developers. Once you sign up, you’ll receive an email explaining the next steps to follow to get your application approved.

Step2: Next, you need to create an app, select the type of app, and then name an App. 

Step 3: Now click on configuration under whatsApp, edit the call back URL and verify the token. Copy the Call back URL and token from Kommunicate docs, click on manage Webhook field > Select Message V16.0 click Verify and save.

Step 4: Finally, you will get a Test phone number, Phone number ID,Temporary access token, WhatsApp business account ID, API Version. that you need further.

How to Build a WhatsApp Bot

Step 1: Building a chatbot

Log in to your Kommunicate dashboard and navigate to the Bot Integration section. Click on the Kompose section and click on create another bot. You are now done creating your bot and all you have to worry about now is to “Enable bot to human transfer” when the bot encounters a query it does not understand. Enable this feature and click “Finish Bot Setup.”

From the next page, you can choose if this bot will handle all the incoming conversations. Click on “Let this bot handle all the conversations” and you are good to go.

🚀  Bonus: If you want a pre-built chatbot? Here’s where to find a bunch of them!

Step 2. Create chatbot conversation flow

After creating your first bot, you’ll be transferred to Kommunicate Flow Designer. Click on the Bot response block to open its edit window. You can create the way you want.

Step 3: Configuring WhatsApp

And then Go to integrations > WhatsApp > and then Click on Meta cloud Api on your Kommunicate Dashboard.

Step 4 .Configure WhatsApp in Kommunicate

Enter the Test phone number, Phone number ID, Temporary access token, WhatsApp business account ID, API Version and Click ‘Save and Proceed’. 

 Step 5. Test Your WhatsApp Bot

Now Kommunicate is successfully integrated with the WhatsApp account, try sending messages to the number linked to the account. These messages will be sent to Kommunicate chat as well. If the chatbot is already integrated, the bot will start replying to your WhatsApp chat queries.

This is how the conversations will look like in the Kommunicate dashboard.

Limitations

1. You can only send and receive specific media files. See more info here.
2. If more than 24 hours have passed since the last user message, only template messages will be allowed.
3. WhatsApp does not support rich message responses from the bot, so they will not be received by the end-user.

Why to use Whatsapp Chatbot

• Bots can offer canned responses

A human agent cannot handle your business communication 24/7/365. But, a WhatsApp bot can. It can provide canned responses — template-based responses to questions that are repetitive in nature or are frequently asked by customers. 

• Bots can provide product and service catalogs

For prospects who want quick information about the business and its offerings, It offer product and service catalogs. Online catalogues are a handy way of presenting information using images, video links, long-form text descriptions along with price details. This helps the prospect make a quick choice and proceed to make a buying decision.

• Customers do not need an extra app

WhatsApp is an app that users rely on for their personal communication on daily. Businesses can join this app bandwagon to communicate with customers without requiring them to install another app. This creates a win-win situation for both sides. Hence, with a WhatsApp bot, businesses can get one step closer to their customers. 

• Chat, call, and video conferencing bundled into one

Versatility. This is the prime reason why WhatsApp is considered to be superior to most chat apps and video conferencing apps. Customers can send texts, get on a voice call for detailed discussion, or even initiate a video call to discuss the product working in detail. 

Suggested Read: How to Build a Line Chatbot Without Any Coding

5 Reasons why you should choose Kommunicate

1. Kommunicate’s no-code Chatbot builder: Using Kommunicate’s Kompose chatbot builder, anyone can build a chatbot in a matter of a few clicks and then train the bot to give answers to simple queries. Building a bot, is thus, a simple task. 
2. Create a bot in a matter of minutes: Kommunicate lets you build a bot in 3 simple steps and then integrate it to WhatsApp business in just 5 minutes, all using methods that can be easily followed.
3. Easy interactions: Komunicate lets you interact with your customers who are reaching out to you via WhatsApp easily via the Kommunicate dashboard. This dashboard is interactive and gives you all the vital details at your fingertips.
4. All your conversations in one place: The Kommunicate Dashboard also lets you access all your current and previous conversations with a particular customer in an easy-to-digest format, meaning you are well-informed all the time.
5. Transparent pricing: No hidden costs, no charging for add ons that you didn’t order. With Kommunicate, the pricing is always clear and we make sure you get what you pay for.

We hope that we have answered your question, “How to build a WhatsApp bot?” Now, what are you waiting for? Go build your WhatsApp bot today, with Kommunicate.

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