How to create a WhatsApp chatbot

To automate the process of communicating with your customers on WhatsApp, you need to create business accounts on Facebook and WhatsApp to connect your number to the WhatsApp Business API and use your chatbot. With a simple WhatsApp chatbot connection wizard, you can do this in three steps.

In this article, we will learn how to create a chatbot on a new number. If you've already used a number with a different WhatsApp Business API provider, migrate the number first.

Getting started

Go to the Chatbots section in your SendPulse account. If you have not previously had any channels connected, click Connect.

If you have already connected bots, go to the Manage bots section, and click Add bot. You can also click Connect next to the channel.

In the WhatsApp section go to the New bot tab, and click Continue with Facebook.

If you have already used your number in the WhatsApp Business API, you need to go to the Migrate tab. Read more: How to switch to SendPulse from other WhatsApp providers.

Log in to the Facebook account you used to create or will use to create your Facebook Business account.

Next, the account setup wizard will launch to create a WhatsApp chatbot. Click Get started.

Grant the required account and payments permissions, and click Continue.

Set up your WhatsApp business profile

Enter a name for your WhatsApp Business profile. This name is what will appear as the name of the chatbot you created.

The display name must be associated with your company and be in accordance with the WhatsApp Trade Policy and WhatsApp Business Policy.

If your display name is different from your company's legal name, please provide a site that confirms your company's relationship to your display name.

The name of the company and the green check mark in the chat are displayed only for the Official Business WhatsApp account (usually these are only world-famous companies). In other cases, the phone number will be displayed in the chat and profile.

Select a profile category and fill in a business description that will be displayed to your subscribers.

Select a setup type

To connect your WhatsApp chatbot, you can use the WhatsApp Business App, link your Facebook and WhatsApp business accounts, or register a new phone number.

Use the WhatsApp Business App

This setup type can be helpful if you need to view incoming messages and reply to users both in the app and in Conversations. There’s no need to delete your existing WhatsApp Business App account if it’s already in use.

Once you log in to your Facebook business account and fill in your business information, select Connect your existing WhatsApp Business App. Then, type in the phone number linked to your WhatsApp Business App account.

If your phone number meets Meta’s requirements, you will be prompted to select your business time zone and review the information you’ve entered.

Learn more: Requirements.

Once verified, a QR code will appear, and you’ll receive a push notification in the WhatsApp Business App with a button to scan the QR code.

If your connection is successful, you will get a confirmation message in the WhatsApp Business App and a pop-up in your browser.

Use other means of connection

If you are not using the WhatsApp Business App, you can connect via your Facebook Business account or register a new WhatsApp business account.

Connect your Facebook and WhatsApp business accounts

Create a new Facebook Business account or select an existing one.

When creating a new Facebook Business account, include information about your company: the legal name used in payment documents, phone number, website, and email address.

Next, to create a WhatsApp Business account for the selected Facebook Business account, enter your username and time zone.

If you are creating a bot for an unverified Facebook Business account, you can use the WhatsApp chatbot in test mode. In this mode, you have access to up to 10 chats and can send campaigns with confirmed templates to two numbers.

Register a new phone number in WhatsApp

If you do not have an account on the WhatsApp Business Platform or WhatsApp Business App, register a new phone number to connect your chatbot.

Enter a phone number for registration. This phone number will be linked to the created WhatsApp account for sending campaigns. Next, select a method of confirming the number.

Use a number from which you can receive an SMS or a voice message with a code. 

If this is the first time you are connecting WhatsApp Business API to this number, make sure that this phone is removed from the WhatsApp consumer application. If your number has already been connected to another provider, migrate the number first.

Please note that after you tie your phone number to the WhatsApp Business API,  you will no longer be able to see your chat history or manage conversations in the WhatsApp application. Also, you won't be able to switch back to using the application with this number. Using this number, you can only communicate with clients through the SendPulse Live chat option.

If you haven't received the code, refer to Reasons why users fail to receive a registration code for more information.

In the next window, enter the code that you receive via SMS or voice message.

If you enter the correct data, your account will be successfully activated. Setting up the environment for the bot usually takes a few minutes, and after that the chatbot will be ready to use.

The bot mode will depend on whether you have a verified Facebook Business account or not. If the account has not been verified, you can use the chatbot on trial access.

Subscribe to your WhatsApp chatbot

To test your WhatsApp chatbot, you need to add your second WhatsApp account as the chatbot owner. To do it, send a code you see on the screen from your personal account on WhatsApp to the WhatsApp business account with your chatbot.

To open the WhatsApp application and send a message to your bot, you can follow the link in the pop-up window or scan the QR code.

Please note that the code will change when you reload the page. You need to send a valid code to identify yourself as the chatbot owner.

If you set it up correctly, you will receive a welcome flow, and the Owner inscription will be added to your contact in your chatbot audience panel in SendPulse.

Then, you can start adding message templates, creating personalized newsletters, and customizing your chatbot flows.

Last Updated: 11.07.2024