It all happened in the year 2018 when WhatsApp introduced an API for business owners, and all the business interaction activities with customers changed. From catering to sales queries to managing customer pain points.
AI has transformed industries since its inception. Many B2B and B2C companies are using AI in their businesses to streamline business operations and increase revenue by adapting various AI tools and algorithms. From the latest report we can see an expected increase in chatbot market size to 4.2 billion by 2032. This projects an opportunity for businesses to adapt to the changing consumer behaviour and meet business goals.
Through WhatsApp, everything is possible. As WhatsApp chatbots can largely opt from a BSP (Business Solution Provider), you need to be aware and utilize WhatsApp chatbot features to increase your brand reach.
Understanding the features of the WhatsApp bot is not rocket science, and you need to be aware of its overview functionality and find a reliable vendor who can provide one. In this blog, we’ll understand what features you need to look at before opting for a WhatsApp chatbot.
How to create WhatsApp Chatbot in 5 Easy Steps
Nowaday, creating your own WhatsApp Chatbot has become very easy and can take 10 or 20 minutes of your time. With multiple platforms providing a drag and drop Chatbot builder, you can create WhatsApp chatbot in just a few clicks of a button.
These AI Chatbot builders provide users a friendly dashboard by which you can create a fully functional chatbot and launch in seconds.
Let’s take a look at the steps to create your own WhatsApp Chatbot:
Step 1: Set up a WhatsApp Business Profile
Setting up a WhatsApp Chatbot is the first step to access all the features of WhatsApp for your Business. You can create a WhatsApp business profile by downloading WhatsApp Business App.
Step 2: Create an Account and Login to Chat360
Once you’ve created an account log in to Chat360’s AI Powered Chatbot builder dashboard and click on Create a New Bot.
Step 3: Choose Create from Scratch
Click on Start from Scratch from the given option
Step 4: Select Bot type
Give name to your bot and select WhatsApp Chatbot and click on Create button.
Step 5: Create a workflow
Create a workflow for your WhatsApp Chatbot, you can also use GenAI feature on Chat360’s platform to train your chatbot tailored for your business.
Step 5: Integrate and publish your WhatsApp Chatbot
This is the last step where you have to integrate your WhatsApp API with your WhatsApp Chatbot.
If you need any assistance in creating, Integrating or publishing your WhatsApp Chatbot you can schedule a free demo today!
Benefits of WhatsApp chatbot for your business
It is estimated that over 3 billion people are using WhatsApp in 2024. Because of its versatility, end to end encryption and interactive messaging, WhatsApp proves to be the popular app amongst the masses.
Moreover, businesses on the other hand are using WhatsApp for their business activities which includes instant customer support, shopping and other major business operations, which helps them effectively use WhatsApp to increase their brand value.
Here is a list of crucial things that WhatsApp chatbots can perform.
1. WhatsApp click to chat link
WhatsApp has introduced this feature if a user has to interact with a business entity without saving their number. The click-to-chat link feature is one of a kind, and you will receive a link you can pass on to your users if they wish to interact with you.
The best part about click-to-chat links is their availability free of cost. You don’t need to worry about the limit of links that you can generate or users interacting with it via clicks. It’s freely available for everyone.
2. Interacting via QR codes
This functionality is similar to WhatsApp’s click-to-chat link feature. The only significant difference is that users will connect with you using a QR code, whereas click-to-talk requires an active link.
You can generate the QR code in the menu’s settings section. Please note that you maintain your QR codes while issuing them to your target audience.
QR codes feature ideally when you want to promote your brand on a large scale. You must display your QR code through pamphlets, banners, or digital signage.
3. WhatsApp Catalogue
WhatsApp platform allows you to use interactive attributes that will improve customer experience. There are crucial elements where you can showcase a catalogue that will carry out all your products or services offered by your business.
You can also use web links, create a short description, and mention the price. These elements make customer interaction more lively. If you want to use any graphic image, the WhatsApp chatbot platform allows you that.
4. Quick Replies
Streamlining communication and enhancing efficiency with quick replies is a predominant feature of WhatsApp Chatbot. Predefined responses programmed using an AI powered tool like Chat360 can utilize to answer frequently asked questions enabling swift interactions, saving time for both businesses and customers while maintaining consistency in messaging.
5. Automatic Greeting Message
Welcome customers with a personalised greeting message as soon as they initiate a conversation. Set up automated greetings to engage users proactively, providing a warm and welcoming experience from the moment they connect with your business.
6. Automatic Away Message
Ensure customers are informed even when your team is unavailable. Configure automatic away messages to notify users when your business is offline, setting expectations and offering alternative contact options or expected response times.
7. Contacts Labels
Organize and categorize your contacts efficiently with labels. Assign labels based on customer preferences, purchase history, or communication status, enabling targeted messaging and personalized interactions tailored to specific segments.
8. Message Statistics
Gaining insights into your messaging performance with comprehensive message statistics can be a useful parameter for WhatsApp. Track metrics such as delivery rates, read receipts, and response times to evaluate the effectiveness of your communication strategies and optimize engagement.
9. List Messages and Reply Buttons
Present information in a structured format using list messages and reply buttons. Display options or choices as a list with corresponding reply buttons, enabling users to make selections effortlessly and navigate through menus or options seamlessly.
10. Multi-language support
Business owners could sigh relief if they wonder whether the WhatsApp chatbot can respond to other language queries. Currently, WhatsApp supports 40+ languages which are enough to begin with.
Multi-language support is essential for businesses interacting with audiences from non-English regions, and this is highly utilized by eCommerce companies when they operate globally.
11. WhatsApp Payments
WhatsApp enables secure and convenient transactions with WhatsApp Payments. Facilitate seamless payment transactions within the chat interface, providing customers with a frictionless checkout experience and boosting conversion rates while ensuring data privacy and security.
12. List Messages and Reply Buttons
Present information in a structured format using list messages and reply buttons. Display options or choices as a list with corresponding reply buttons, enabling users to make selections effortlessly and navigate through menus or options seamlessly.
13. Analytics
Any business that invests a budget will definitely look for ROI. This is the same case with WhatsApp chatbot analytics, and you can measure various metrics based on a campaign you execute.
The campaign goal can be customer retention, making a sale, or servicing a customer. You can evaluate based on clicks received to your messages, blocks, open rate, etc.
This also helps it in terms of reporting. You can analyze the campaign data and determine which campaign to focus on.
Applications WhatsApp Chatbot for Different Industries
As we have seen above the use and benefits of WhatsApp Chatbot in different industries. WhatsApp Chatbots are here to stay and are emerging as a versatile tools in various industries. Let’s see how businesses in different sectors are leveraging this technology to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth.
1. Retail and E-commerce:
Order Tracking and Updates: E-commerce businesses utilize WhatsApp Chatbots to provide real-time order status updates, shipment tracking, and delivery notifications, ensuring seamless customer experiences.
Product Recommendations: By analyzing customer preferences and purchase history, retailers deploy chatbots to offer personalized product recommendations, enhancing cross-selling and upselling opportunities.
2. Hospitality and Travel:
Booking Assistance: Hotels and travel agencies deploy WhatsApp Chatbots to facilitate booking inquiries, reservation confirmations, and itinerary updates, offering travelers convenient access to information.
Customer Support: Chatbots provide round-the-clock assistance for travel-related queries, such as flight details, hotel amenities, and local attractions, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
3. BFSI
Account Management: Banks leverage WhatsApp Chatbots for account balance inquiries, transaction history, and fund transfers, enabling customers to manage their finances effortlessly.
Customer Education: Chatbots deliver personalized financial tips, investment advice, and budgeting strategies, empowering users to make informed decisions about their money management.
4. Healthcare:
Appointment Scheduling: Healthcare providers integrate WhatsApp Chatbots to automate appointment scheduling, remind patients of upcoming appointments, and facilitate virtual consultations, ensuring efficient healthcare delivery.
Symptom Assessment: Chatbots assist patients in assessing symptoms, providing initial diagnosis recommendations, and offering guidance on seeking appropriate medical care, improving accessibility to healthcare services.
5. Education:
Course Enrollment and Information: Educational institutions utilize WhatsApp Chatbots to assist students with course enrollment, provide program information, and offer academic support resources, enhancing the student experience.These are a few examples of how Businesses can use WhatsApp Chatbot to streamline the business operations. We can see applications in Real Estate, HR, Manufacturing, and more.
Summing up on WhatsApp chatbot features
As we have seen how powerful a WhatsApp chatbot can be, no business will hesitate to opt for it.
It would be best if you were wise enough to determine your requirements and match them with the WhatsApp bot’s capabilities, making it more convenient when choosing the platform based on WhatsApp chatbot features.
Chat360 offers GenAI-powered chatbots, seamlessly integrating with WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, websites, and CRMs. Chat360 optimizes WhatsApp operations in terms of Multichannel integraitons, Automating support, Order processing, Personalization, CRM integration, and more.
Let’s excel your business with Chat360, to streamline WhatsApp operations, drive efficiency, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
Schedule a free demo today!