What is a WhatsApp Chatbot and How to Create It?

The surge in online searches for information related to WhatsApp chatbots is indicative of their growing importance in the realm of customer engagement marketing. Businesses are increasingly incorporating these chatbots into their strategies, recognizing their role in enhancing customer interaction, driving growth, and streamlining queries. This phenomenon is not just a passing trend but a lasting transformation in the business landscape.

In this article, we delve into the world of WhatsApp chatbots and offer insights into creating one without needing to code. Our exploration covers everything about WhatsApp and its potential to fuel business expansion. If this subject piques your interest and you're keen to understand the intricacies of chatbots, we invite you to read through the entire piece for a comprehensive grasp of leveraging this powerful tool.

So let’s get started…

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What is a WhatsApp Bot?

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A WhatsApp Bot is an automated program integrated into the WhatsApp messaging service that can autonomously reply to messages. It provides a smart way for businesses to communicate with their customers, responding automatically to inquiries and messages, thereby making customer interactions quicker and more efficient. A WhatsApp bot can engage in various conversations with multiple people simultaneously and operate 24/7. This tool is particularly useful for those seeking to offer fast and effective customer support, leveraging WhatsApp's extensive user network. Simple to use and efficient, WhatsApp Bots are transforming how businesses connect with their clients, delivering instant responses to common queries and enhancing the overall customer experience.

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Why use WhatsApp chatbots?

The utility of a WhatsApp chatbot extends beyond mere automation, focusing on elevating customer relationships and, ultimately, improving the customer experience. Here are key reasons to consider the incorporation of WhatsApp chatbots:

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Widespread Reach and Engagement:

WhatsApp boasts an impressive user base of 2.7 billion individuals, making it more than just a conventional app—it is a digital phenomenon. By integrating a chatbot, businesses can access a vast and diverse pool of potential customers spanning various age groups.

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Preferred Communication Mode:

Research indicates that a significant majority, approximately 61% of consumers, favor messaging as their primary mode of communication. Furthermore, the favorable reception of business communication on WhatsApp is evident, with almost half of its users expressing a preference for this platform. Meeting customers on their preferred communication platform is a strategic approach.

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Economical and Efficient:

The era of requiring extensive call centers or hefty Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools is fading. WhatsApp chatbots not only enable businesses to reduce operational costs but also ensure consistent and round-the-clock customer service. This shift toward efficiency is a testament to the practicality of adopting WhatsApp chatbots in modern business operations.

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How do WhatsApp bots work?
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WhatsApp chatbots revolutionize conversation automation by harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). These innovative bots mimic human-like interactions, ensuring quick and efficient responses to user queries. The mechanics of a WhatsApp chatbot are rooted in three fundamental concepts: Trigger, Condition, and Action.

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Trigger: This is the starting point, usually a keyword or phrase, that activates the chatbot's responsive functionality.

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Action: Following the trigger, the chatbot performs a predefined action, such as sending a relevant message or offering help, depending on the scenario.

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Condition: This is the chatbot’s decision-making core. Depending on user input or other variables, the bot follows an “if this, then that” logic to ensure the response is relevant.

For example, when a user sends the message "Track order," the bot initially verifies the order status. If the order has been shipped, it proceeds to share the tracking details as a response. In cases where the order has not been shipped, the bot may offer an estimated shipping date.

The chatbots' use of NLP allows them to adeptly interpret messages, ensuring they grasp and respond to user inquiries effectively. Additionally, AI's role is pivotal as it enables the chatbots to learn from previous interactions, thereby refining and enhancing their responses over time.

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Why Do Enterprises Use WhatsApp Chatbot For Business?

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Enterprises are increasingly turning to WhatsApp chatbots to elevate their customer communication and engagement strategies, drawn by the numerous advantages this technology offers.

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1. Accessibility

WhatsApp stands out as one of the most widely used messaging platforms globally. This ubiquity makes it incredibly convenient for businesses to connect with customers on a platform already ingrained in their daily routines. Leveraging WhatsApp AI chatbots allows businesses to streamline communication, offering customers personalized experiences within the familiar confines of the platform.

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2. Instant Communication

The use of chatbots on WhatsApp ensures swift responses to customer queries, contributing to an enhanced overall customer experience by minimizing wait times.

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3. Cost-Efficiency

By automating responses through chatbots, businesses can significantly cut costs by reducing the need for human agents to handle routine queries. This automation translates to resource savings and operational efficiency.

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4. 24/7 Availability

WhatsApp AI chatbots operate seamlessly around the clock, providing customer assistance at any time, irrespective of regular business hours.

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5. Scalability

As the volume of customer queries surges, chatbots can efficiently handle multiple conversations simultaneously, ensuring effective communication even during peak periods.

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6. Personalization

Advanced chatbots can be programmed to analyze data, tailoring responses to customers by offering personalized recommendations or solutions based on their preferences and past interactions.

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7. Transaction and Order Processing

WhatsApp chatbots facilitate transactions, bookings, or order placements directly within the chat interface, simplifying the customer journey and boosting convenience.

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8. Engagement and Marketing

Businesses integrate chatbots into their WhatsApp marketing strategies, leveraging them to send promotional messages, updates, and engaging content to subscribers. This fosters brand loyalty and strengthens customer engagement.

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9. Feedback and Surveys

Chatbots play a pivotal role in conducting surveys and collecting feedback from customers, providing valuable insights that businesses can use to enhance their products or services.

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10. Integration

These chatbots seamlessly integrate with other business tools and systems, fostering a smooth workflow and enabling efficient data sharing.

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In summary, the adoption of WhatsApp chatbots by businesses streamlines customer interactions, improves operational efficiency, and provides a convenient avenue for engaging with the audience. Ultimately, this enhances customer satisfaction and propels business growth.

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How to Create a WhatsApp Bot For Free

Creating a WhatsApp Business Chatbot is a breeze, and you can achieve it effortlessly in three simple steps:

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Step 1: Buy a Phone Number

Begin by purchasing a phone number dedicated to your WhatsApp Bot. I recommend opting for a prepaid number from a local telecom provider. Even if you've previously utilized the WhatsApp Business App on your iPhone or Android, it's advisable to employ a new phone number, as suggested by WhatsApp. Ensure that the selected phone number is capable of receiving text messages, as this will be crucial for verification later on.

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Step 2: Set Up a Free Manychat Account

Proceed to create a free Manychat account, a top-notch platform for developing WhatsApp chatbots. This exceptional platform stands out for several compelling reasons.

• It's user-friendly, allowing you to dive in without any prior chatbot experience.
• It's a no-code platform, enabling you to construct bots without writing a single line of code.
• It's cost-effective, offering a free plan and a paid plan starting at just $15 per month.

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To set up your Manychat account, just follow these straightforward steps outlined below:


Navigate to the Manychat website and click on the "Get Started Free" button in the upper right corner of your screen.

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Opt for the WhatsApp channel.

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Log in using your Facebook account credentials.

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Once logged in, your Manychat account will be automatically generate.

Step 3: Linking Your Phone Number to Manychat

Now, let's move on to the third crucial step: connecting your phone number to your Manychat account.

After you log in using your Facebook account, the first step is to verify your email. To do that, input the code received in your email.

To personalize your chat experience, select the type of company you work for.

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Now, Click on “Connect my Own Number”-

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Now, a new tab in your browser will open and go to Facebook.

Here, you need to click on Continue:

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In the next screen, click on Get started:

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Fill in your business information and click on Next:

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Now, you need to select your WhatsApp Business Account and create a new WhatsApp Business Profile:

Next, fill in the information for your WhatsApp Business Profile and click on Next:

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The last step is to verify your phone number. Simply enter the phone number you purchased earlier and select "Text Message."

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Upon completing the registration process, Facebook will send a verification code to you through SMS. Simply input the provided code to finalize the connection. Congratulations! You have successfully linked your Manychat account to your WhatsApp phone number, establishing your WhatsApp Business Bot.

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FAQs- 

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Q-How To Create a WhatsApp Chatbot?

To create a WhatsApp chatbot, plan its purpose, use a platform like Manychat, design responses, and deploy it for interaction.

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Q-What Is The Purpose Of WhatsApp Chatbot?

WhatsApp chatbots serve various purposes, such as automating customer support, facilitating transactions, delivering information, conducting surveys, and enhancing engagement by providing quick and personalized interactions within the WhatsApp platform.

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Q-What are the benefits of using WhatsApp chatbots?

WhatsApp chatbots allow businesses to communicate instantly with customers, providing timely messages, notifications, and updates. They can also handle tasks like sharing product information, managing groups, and even processing sales without human intervention.

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Q-How much does a WhatsApp Chatbot cost?

The cost of a WhatsApp Chatbot depends on factors like development platform, features, integrations, and ongoing maintenance. Research and compare options to find the best fit.

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Q-What is the WhatsApp Business API?

The WhatsApp Business API serves as a crucial tool for medium and large enterprises seeking to enhance their customer interactions on the WhatsApp platform. This API facilitates scalable engagement through the utilization of interactive buttons, broadcasts, templates, and various other special features, which are not accessible through the standard WhatsApp Business App. Primarily embraced by large enterprises managing extensive customer bases, the WhatsApp Business API proves most beneficial when integrated into a comprehensive business suite. This integration allows businesses to seamlessly connect with their other systems, software, and data, streamlining their overall operations.