To integrate an AI chatbot into WhatsApp for Business, you need WhatsApp Business API access from Meta, a tool like Wonderchat.io to connect it to, and your own docs for the chatbot to answer from.
Once connected, it answers customers on WhatsApp from your help center and docs, and hands over to a person when your docs don't cover the question.
Here are the six steps, from signing up to monitoring it after launch.
Step 1: Sign Up for Wonderchat.io
The first thing to do to integrate an AI chatbot into WhatsApp is to register for a Wonderchat.io account. Go to the Wonderchat.io website, and you will find several plans available.
WhatsApp is included on every Wonderchat plan, Free included, with paid plans when you need more AI replies. Choose a plan by the number of AI replies you expect each month: 500 on Starter, 3,000 on Basic and 9,000 on Scale.
You can also start on the free plan, which refills 50 AI replies every month with no credit card.
Step 2: Set Up Your WhatsApp Business API
The WhatsApp Business API must be obtained to integrate the chatbot with WhatsApp.
This API is meant for medium and large businesses that message customers at volume, which is why WhatsApp has to approve your access. Here's how to get started:
Application:
You must do it on the Facebook Business Manager page by filling out the application form. The form asks for details about your business and how you plan to use the API.
Verification:
Once submitted, WhatsApp will examine your application and compare it to its guidelines and standards. This review process may take several weeks, depending on the number of applications.
Approval:
Upon confirmation, you will be provided API credentials crucial to connecting WhatsApp to your chatbot platform.
Step 3: Create Your Chatbot
With access to the WhatsApp Business API and your Wonderchat.io account set up, you can start creating your chatbot:
Open your Wonderchat dashboard:
Wonderchat.io needs no code: you add your content and settings, and the agent answers from them. To start, you go to the chatbot area of your account's control panel.
Add Your Content:
Add your help center, docs, files or Google Drive so the agent answers from your own content and shows the source on every reply. For example, add your FAQ, shipping and returns pages so it can answer those questions; order status lookups need Shopify order tracking, from the Basic plan.
Customize Responses:
Ensure that the chatbot's messages are worded to reflect your brand's personality and engagement style. Wonderchat gives the same answer on WhatsApp, your website and every other channel, so the voice stays consistent.
Step 4: Integrate with WhatsApp
Integrating your chatbot with WhatsApp involves several key actions:
Connect Your API:
Provide your WhatsApp Business API credentials to Wonderchat.io. This link enables your chatbot to send messages or receive messages in WhatsApp.
Configure Chatbot Settings:
Decide when the agent should hand over to a person, for example when a customer asks for one or when your docs don't cover the question. It hands over with the whole conversation: as a ticket or by email on every plan, or to a teammate in live chat from the Basic plan.
Step 5: Test Your Chatbot
Thorough testing is crucial before launching your chatbot to the public:
Internal Testing:
Define a set of test cases covering the questions customers ask most. Check that each reply is accurate and shows the right source page.
Beta Testing:
If you can, ask a few real customers to try it and tell you where it fell short. This outside testing can reveal some problems that may not have been revealed in internal testing.
Step 6: Launch and Monitor
Launching your chatbot involves several ongoing tasks:
Go Live:
Go live and engage the customers directly through the chatbot. Check for the functionality of all systems and the performance of the chatbot.
Monitor Performance:
To check how it's doing, use Wonderchat.io's analytics dashboard, available from the Basic plan. Look at which questions it answered, which it couldn't, and where customers asked for a person.
Iterate Based on Feedback:
Questions it couldn't answer land in the review inbox; answer one once (paste a URL, pick a file or write it) and the agent answers it from then on. Regular updates and adjustments will help keep the chatbot effective and relevant to user needs.
Why Choose Wonderchat.io?
Wonderchat.io suits small teams that already have docs and want WhatsApp questions answered from them:
Ease of Use:
Anyone on the team can set it up without code, and 80% of Wonderchat agents that go live do so the same day.
Customization:
You choose the AI model, the tone and when it hands over to a person, and teammates cost $0 on any plan.
Scalability:
As volume grows, you move up a plan: AI replies go from 500 a month on Starter to 3,000 on Basic and 9,000 on Scale.
Multi-Platform Support:
The same agent also answers on your website, email, Slack, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and more, with every channel included on every plan.
FAQs
What is Wonderchat.io?
Wonderchat.io is the AI customer service agent for small teams with real documentation: it answers from your help center and docs on WhatsApp and other channels, shows the source on every reply and tells you what your docs can't answer.
How do I apply for WhatsApp Business API?
To use WhatsApp Business API, one must complete an application through the Facebook Business Manager. You'll give details about your business and explain how you plan to use the API.
Can Wonderchat.io handle multiple languages?
Yes. Wonderchat.io answers in 40+ languages, so customers on WhatsApp can ask in their own language.
How do I test my chatbot before going live?
Test it with the questions customers ask most, check each answer against its source, then let a few real users try it and adjust before launch.
What are the key features of Wonderchat.io?
It answers from your own content and shows the source, tells you what your docs can't answer, hands over to a person with the whole conversation, answers in 40+ languages and works on every channel, WhatsApp included.
