Resolve your communication challenges with users—learn how to create a WhatsApp bot
Overview
Nowadays, having effective customer service is essential. This includes instant messaging via WhatsApp, Messenger, and other channels to address customer questions. However, as your business grows, it can become challenging to keep up with everyone. Fortunately, learning how to create a bot for WhatsApp can help you handle the load.
Why Choose WhatsApp?
The reason for choosing this messaging app is simple: it’s the one everyone uses, even more than Messenger or Telegram. However, unlike other platforms, WhatsApp doesn’t come with a built-in chatbot, so you need to go through an additional process to install one. Today, we’ll show you how to do it, step-by-step.
What is a WhatsApp Bot?
Before we get into how to create a bot for WhatsApp, let’s clarify what it is. A WhatsApp bot is an AI-based program that automatically chats with users on WhatsApp.
Its job is to accurately understand customer messages and respond quickly with a programmed answer that solves their questions and issues.
A WhatsApp bot serves as the first layer of customer service, handling simple queries in real-time. Besides handling more users, it operates 24/7, every day of the year—something traditional call centers and customer service teams can’t always do.
The bot’s functionality relies on a combination of AI and programmed logic. When a user sends a message, the WhatsApp bot identifies it by searching its database. It then determines the topic and starts a conversation using AI, generating a natural-sounding response in the company’s preferred tone.
How to Create a WhatsApp Bot: Key Steps
Now, it’s time to learn how to set up your bot. Here are four key steps for creating one correctly.
Choose Your Provider
First, it’s important to know that programming a bot for WhatsApp isn’t easy. That’s why you’ll need a provider that can handle it for you, like indigitall.
While some free apps are available, they usually offer a limited experience and only send a few basic messages. It’s best to work with a provider that uses AI and can provide the most natural responses.
Grant Permissions to the WhatsApp Business Extension
You can only create a bot for WhatsApp if you have the Business version. If you don’t, uninstall the regular version and download the Business one, as it’s free. In fact, the app itself includes a few basic automatic messages, such as away messages, greetings, and quick replies.
To take things further and set up your bot, you’ll need to grant the necessary permissions to the app. Generally, it will need access to notifications and other phone features.
Create a WhatsApp Bot from the Menu
Once you’ve downloaded and granted permissions, the app you chose will let you add the bot and link it to WhatsApp. Follow your provider’s instructions to add and configure it.
Set Up the Chat and Waiting Time
The last step in creating a WhatsApp bot is setting up the chat. Depending on your provider, you may have more or fewer options, like creating automated messages, recognizing certain usage patterns, and even identifying exact or similar keywords.
If your bot uses AI features, extensive setup might not be needed, as it can recognize typical questions and respond more accurately. Thanks to “machine learning,” it will continually improve based on user interactions.
Benefits of Using a WhatsApp Bot
Now you know how to create a WhatsApp bot. If you’re still unsure, here are some key advantages of implementing one:
– Quick Response Time: The first major benefit is that a bot responds instantly to most questions. This enables fast response times and solves customer issues immediately, without making them wait, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.
– Personalized Support: Unlike FAQs, a well-designed WhatsApp chatbot adapts to each customer. Instead of a generic reply, it understands the customer’s question and provides a friendly, natural response.
– Cost Savings: The main advantage of creating a WhatsApp bot is that it’s cheaper than hiring a large customer service team. However, this doesn’t mean you should eliminate your team. Instead, use the bot for initial support and easy questions, leaving agents to handle more complex inquiries. By focusing on more difficult issues, wait times decrease.
– 24/7 Availability: In many places, the standard workweek is 40 hours, so it’s hard to offer support outside business hours. These bots, however, work around the clock. They free up your staff and continue to assist customers even while your team is off-duty.
– Data Collection: Beyond answering questions, the chatbot also gathers user data and learns from conversations. This data is highly valuable and can be used to improve marketing campaigns or services.
At indigitall, We Do It for You
You’ve now seen how to create a WhatsApp bot and integrate it for your business. One of the key points is choosing a high-quality bot, one that uses artificial intelligence for adaptive and personalized responses. This will set you apart from the usual automated chats.
At indigitall, we can help. We offer an AI chatbot tailored to your needs, with machine learning capabilities and advanced data collection features. Contact us if you need more information. We’re here to help!
