Back to blog

How to Create a WhatsApp Bot

---

Are you tired of responding to countless customer inquiries and wish there was an easier way to manage them? Or do you want to stay ahead of the game and explore new avenues to engage with your audience?

Well, get ready to revolutionize the way you communicate and support your customers with WhatsApp Bots! Used by over 2 billion people worldwide, WhatsApp is an incredibly popular messaging platform, and businesses are now leveraging its power to enhance their customer experience.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating your very own WhatsApp Bot, highlighting the benefits and providing tips on boosting your online engagement and support.

Also Read: An Introduction to WhatsApp Chatbots

What is a WhatsApp Bot?

A WhatsApp Bot is an automated messaging tool that utilizes WhatsApp Business API to interact with customers, answer queries, and provide information. These bots can be programmed to respond to understand natural language, specific messages, and even integrate with other systems to provide dynamic responses.

How to Build a WhatsApp Bot

Here are the steps to create a WhatsApp bot using the Appy Pie Chatbot Builder:

Go to Chatbot Builder

Open the Appy Pie Chatbot Builder and click on “Create Your Chatbot Now.”



On the next page, you’ll be asked to name your bot. Choose a suitable name, like “WhatsApp Bot,” for instance.

Select Bot Type



After naming your bot, you’ll be directed to the selection page, where you can choose the type of bot you want to create.

Make Your Account



To access the full customization features, subscribe to Appy Pie or book an appointment with the Account Manager to guide you through the process of creating your chatbot.

Edit Conversation Flow



Once subscribed, go to the editor section. Here, you can customize the nodes for greetings, questions, and answers to build an engaging conversation. Include the “Train GPT” node to enhance the chatbot’s understanding and performance.

Design Customization



Appy Pie offers a range of design options to make your chatbot visually appealing. Personalize the text color, background image, header name, and other elements to match your brand and style.

Setup and Social Media Deployment



Navigate to the ‘Setup’ section and select “Deploy Bot on Social Media Apps.”

Integrate with WhatsApp



Provide your WhatsApp Business ID, WhatsApp Phone Number ID, and Access Key to integrate your bot with your WhatsApp account.

By following these steps, you can efficiently create and deploy a WhatsApp Bot using the Appy Pie Chatbot Builder, streamlining the process and making it accessible for businesses and individuals alike.

How to deploy chatbot on Whatsapp?

Here are the steps to deploy chatbot on WhatsApp:

Deploying a chatbot on WhatsApp requires careful setup and a number of prerequisites. Let’s walk through the process, ensuring a smooth deployment.

Prerequisites:

1. Source a phone number: Obtain a unique, unused phone number from a service provider like Twilio, Exotel, or Messagebird. This will be specifically for your WhatsApp account.
2. Facebook account: Ensure you have a Facebook account to facilitate the setup process with WhatsApp.

Note: For instructions on reusing an existing phone number registered with WhatsApp, click on the link.

Now, let’s outline the steps to deploy:

Create an App via Facebook Meta Developer Account

Go to https://developers.facebook.com and log in with your Facebook or business account. If you don’t have one, create an account using the “Create Account” button. This is the first step to deploying your chatbot on WhatsApp.



To create a new app for your business account, simply locate and click the “Get Started” button on the Facebook Meta Developer platform. Alternatively, if you already have an existing app, you can access it by clicking on the “My Apps” option. This will allow you to either start fresh or continue working on previous projects.



Get started by clicking “Create App.”



Select “Others” as the app’s use case.



Choose app type—can’t be changed later. Click “Next.”



Set up WhatsApp

Scroll down, select WhatsApp, and click “Setup.” Link your app and WhatsApp.





Click “Setup.” A WhatsApp section will appear. Create/select a Meta Business Account. Click “Continue.”



Add a permanent phone number to send messages

Click “Add Phone Number.” Start messaging any WhatsApp number.



Click “Add Phone Number.” Fill in details to create a WhatsApp business profile. Refer to display name guidelines for name tips. This name will show for your approved business number.



In the pop-up that appears, enter the phone number and select your chosen way of number verification.



Once confirmed, the phone number will show up in the Send and receive messages section of the panel’s form drop-down menu.

Add a payment method to send messages via API. Check pricing details on whatsapp Business Conversation Pricing.



Click “Add Payment Method.” Select debit or credit card as default. Enter card details and save.



Generate phone number ID and WhatsApp business account ID

After creating a Meta Business Account, you’ll be redirected to the “Getting Started” section. If not, go to your app dashboard, click your app, and find “Phone Number ID” and “WhatsApp Business Account ID” in the “Getting Started” section.



Copy the Phone Number ID and WhatsApp Business Account ID. Paste them into your chatbot’s WhatsApp deployment screen.



Configure the WhatsApp webhook endpoint for your app

Go to “Configuration” in the left panel. Add token and callback URL for webhook endpoint setup.

Callback URL: https://us-central1-chatbot-production-d6ea3.cloudfunctions.net/whatsapp/webhook

Verify Token: Appypie_Chatbot

Click “Verify and Save” to save the Callback URL and Verify Token.



Go to “Webhooks” in the left panel. Select “WhatsApp Business Account.” Verify Callback URL and Token. Click “Verify and Save.”

Select “Messages” and subscribe. You’ll get a pop-up confirmation: “You successfully subscribed to messages.”



Now, create a permanent token for your app. Follow the steps below.

Generate permanent token for your app

Go to “My Apps.” Click your app, then “Business.”



Go to Business settings. Navigate to “System Users” in the left panel. Create a System User if none exists. Assign the “Admin” role.



Note: You can only have one Admin system user.

Add assets to the Admin user. Select “Apps.” Choose the app name. Activate “Manage App” triggers.

To save the changes you made, click the “Save Changes” button.



Add assets and their permissions

Click “Add Assets.” A pop-up will appear for asset assignment.



Select “Apps.” Choose your app. Toggle the button in the “Full Control” section. Click “Save Changes.”



Click “Generate Token.” Select the app. Create a permanent token.



Choose “Permanent” for token expiration. Scroll to “Available Permissions.” Select WhatsApp permissions. Click “Generate Token.”



A popup confirms: “An access token has been generated.” Copy and save the token before clicking “OK.”



Note: The access token won’t be stored by Facebook.

Paste the token into Appy Pie’s WhatsApp Deployment screen. Click “Enable” to activate.



Your chatbot is now live on WhatsApp. The number is linked, and automated replies are set through Appy Pie Editor. Messages to this number will receive chatbot responses.

For deployment help, book an appointment with our experts. Email [email protected] for any issues. We’re happy to assist.

Benefits of a WhatsApp Bot

WhatsApp Bots offer a range of advantages for businesses, revolutionizing how they interact with and support their customers. By leveraging this popular messaging platform, businesses can enhance their engagement strategies and provide efficient, effective support.

24/7 Customer Support

One of the most significant advantages of implementing a WhatsApp Bot is providing round-the-clock customer support. Your customers can receive instant responses to their queries or concerns at any time of day. This ensures that your business is always available and accessible, even outside regular working hours. With a WhatsApp Bot, you can offer immediate assistance, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Cost-effective Solution

WhatsApp Bots offer a cost-effective alternative to maintaining a large human customer support team. By automating customer interactions, you can significantly reduce operational costs, especially for small businesses or startups with limited resources. The development and maintenance of a WhatsApp Bot require a one-time investment, after which it can handle a high volume of customer inquiries without incurring additional expenses.

Enhanced Customer Experience

WhatsApp Bots improve the customer experience by providing instant, interactive, and engaging conversations. Customers can quickly receive answers to their questions, make purchases, or resolve simple issues without the need for lengthy phone calls or emails. The convenience and speed of communication improve customer satisfaction and increase their affinity toward your brand. With a WhatsApp Bot, you can create a seamless and personalized experience for your customers.

Automate Routine Tasks

Bots are excellent at handling simple, repetitive tasks, such as frequently asked questions, order status updates, or basic troubleshooting steps. By automating these routine tasks, you free up your human support staff to focus on more complex, sensitive, or high-priority issues. This improves overall efficiency, reduces response times, and ensures that your human resources are utilized optimally, leading to better customer service and improved productivity.

Implementing a WhatsApp Bot can bring numerous benefits to your business, including improved customer support, reduced costs, enhanced customer interactions, and optimized task management. By leveraging this technology, you can stay connected with your customers, provide instant assistance, and create positive experiences that reflect well on your brand.

How to Boost Engagement with a WhatsApp Bot

To maximize the potential of your WhatsApp Bot and enhance user engagement, consider the following strategies, including some recent trends in the industry:

Promote Your WhatsApp Presence

Let your customers know you’re on WhatsApp by prominently displaying your WhatsApp number on your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials. This cross-channel promotion will encourage users to reach out to you via WhatsApp and increase your bot’s usage.

Leverage Rich Media

Engage your audience with visually appealing and informative multimedia messages. Send images, videos, and documents to provide more interactive and captivating responses. Recent trends show that users are increasingly drawn to visual content, so utilizing this feature can make your bot’s interactions more exciting and memorable.

Personalize the Experience

With user consent, leverage their data to personalize the conversation. Address them by name, refer to their purchase history, or make relevant recommendations based on their preferences. This level of customization makes the interaction more meaningful and creates a unique user experience.

Ensure Quick Responses

Prompt responses are crucial for a positive user perception. Ensure your bot is configured to provide immediate answers to user queries. Any delay in response time can impact the user’s impression of your brand, so regular monitoring of response speed is essential.

Regularly Review and Improve

Continuously analyze conversation data and user feedback to identify areas where your bot can improve. Stay updated with user preferences and trends by regularly reviewing and refining your bot’s conversation flow, keywords, and responses. This iterative process ensures that your bot remains effective and relevant.

Utilize Interactive Features

Engage users with interactive features such as polls, surveys, or quizzes. These tools can gather user feedback, generate insights, and create a fun and dynamic conversation. Recent updates in messaging platforms often include such interactive elements, so stay abreast of these trends to enhance your bot’s engagement strategies.

Integrate with Other Platforms

Expand your bot’s reach by integrating it with other messaging platforms or social media channels. This allows users to interact with your bot through their preferred platform, increasing accessibility and engagement.

Offer Exclusive Promotions

Entice users to interact with your bot by offering exclusive promotions, discounts, or early access to new products or services. This not only boosts engagement but also fosters a sense of exclusivity and loyalty among your customers.

By incorporating these strategies and staying adaptable to new trends, you can significantly boost engagement with your WhatsApp Bot, creating a positive and memorable user experience that aligns with your business goals.

Conclusion

Creating a WhatsApp Bot is an innovative way to enhance your customer engagement and support strategy. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can build an effective and efficient WhatsApp Bot that will revolutionize the way you communicate with your audience.