WhatsApp chatbots: features, functions, and connection recommendations

Messengers are an integral part of many modern people's daily lives. They are digital tools with incredible capabilities and many useful functions.

WhatsApp, which currently has about 2 billion active users, can bring great benefits to businesses. Companies and various commercial organizations use WhatsApp chatbots. Many of you will find it helpful to know what they are, how they really work, and what is needed to connect such a function.

A brief introduction to the chatbot

First of all, you must understand the key concepts and determine what WhatsApp chatbot is and what this solution's main capabilities and main features are.

It is specialized modern software whose main task and function is to simulate communication between real representatives of organizations and their clients. The user asks questions using the messenger, and the bots answer them. Chatbots can quickly start dialogues independently, send commercial offers for clients and more.

WhatsApp was chosen as a messenger to create chatbots for a reason. This popular platform uses advanced solutions and allows you to use the program's comprehensive capabilities for digital business and commercial purposes. WhatsApp is actively used to negotiate with various clients. This tool allows you to send text messages, videos, and photos. It is widely used to place orders, inform about the delivery status, etc.

However, human resources have certain limitations. Therefore, the company implements special virtual assistants to respond quickly to all client messages and requests.

After all, chatbots, thanks to predefined scripts and natural language processing (NLP), imitate communication with a real person as accurately as possible. In combination with AI-driven learning, an excellent-quality solution is achieved. At the same time, virtual assistants work around the clock; they have no breaks or days off. It is an excellent opportunity to solve any problems quickly, create a mailing list, or switch to a real manager if necessary.

Why are WhatsApp bots used for online businesses and companies?

The scope of application of such solutions based on the popular messenger is pervasive. Chatbots can become indispensable for very small, medium, and large businesses. Such instruments are used where instant customer support is completely required.

Due to the rapid growth of high volumes of inquiries, company operators may be unable to cope with the load. As a result, customers cannot receive timely responses and technical support. It negatively affects people's attitudes towards this organization, which cannot meet basic needs. Therefore, virtual assistants are being introduced that can significantly solve the problem of a high workload in the technical department, support, or managers. After all, most of the functions are performed by a chatbot.

Today, there is an excellent opportunity to implement best practices and use proactive messages for communication with consumers. At the same time, several main directions in the integration of virtual assistants can be identified.

Answers to FAQ

One of the main functions of a WhatsApp-based assistant is to reduce the load on the support service. When your employees have to answer the same questions daily, you can replace them with a virtual assistant.

Customers can ask various questions via messengers and receive instant answers. After all, they are already prepared in advance and ready to use. If the program logic is developed correctly, the chatbot can quickly determine the topic of the question and provide the most accurate answer.

Regular mailing

Companies that offer a wide range of goods and services and regularly expand their list of offers need to notify customers regularly. It is where a chatbot comes to the rescue.

Using a contact database and ready-made templates, you can regularly send out a mailing with text, links to your website, media content, and much more. It is much easier than calling each client or manually sending notifications to email. In addition, the real effectiveness of email mailing is noticeably inferior to notifications via WhatsApp.

Products and special services

Another helpful function and opportunity of particular chatbots is helping users find the necessary services and some offered products. Thanks to the developed structure, the client can independently choose how product information will be displayed, receive a link, study prices, and more.

With the help of a modern digital chatbot, you do not have to go to the site every time and look for a specific category of goods. The client just needs to request via messenger and get access to the desired information or direct links to the desired product.

Quizzes, games, and prize draws

A chatbot can become a real entertainment complex for your clients. This virtual AI assistant is often used to conduct quizzes, engage users in online games, and raffle prizes. It is an effective way to remind yourself about yourself, offer helpful data, and easily collect valuable data about the target audience.

With the help of a special chatbot, your company can conduct surveys, organize a quiz, or raffle off prizes between active clients. They only need to answer a few questions and get the result. You can offer almost anything as a prize: an additional discount, a voucher, a personal gift, etc.

Filling out forms

Companies widely use chatbots so that clients can update data, register, make an appointment, book a place, change the delivery address, etc. in a convenient format. To do this, it is enough to use the appropriate templates and customizable tools.

Conclusion of transactions

Many customers find it convenient and easy to use a virtual assistant to place orders, select the necessary products, register a commercial transaction, receive contact or financial information about the company for payment, and so on.

Modern WhatsApp bots already integrate payment gateways. You can pay for goods or delivery directly through the messenger.

Key benefits of working with WhatsApp-based chatbots

WhatsApp chatbots have undeniable advantages that many companies and enterprises already know about. Therefore, they successfully use all the capabilities of advanced solutions.

• 24/7 access. These assistants work 24/7. They do not need weekends or breaks, they do not go on vacation, and they are always fully available. Thanks to round-the-clock support, clients can get answers at any time. It increases the overall level of trust and high loyalty to the company;
• Financial accessibility. You can significantly save on operational costs since the cost of implementing a bot will be tens of times less than hiring a team of operators;
• Security. WhatsApp Messenger uses powerful security technology and a multi-level end-to-end encryption system, and it strictly complies with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Therefore, any messages and transmitted information will be absolutely safe;
• Quick responses. Unlike live operators, who may not be at work or not work at certain hours, the chatbot's response time is always minimal. It is an opportunity to get an answer and solve the problem quickly;
• Ease of use. If you have used WhatsApp, then you will definitely not have any problems or difficulties when using the chatbot;
• Switching to an operator. Some situations require the connection of real specialists. In this situation, the chatbot always has a special button;
• Multilingualism. You can offer clients multilingual customer support since WhatsApp works with many languages. International companies must be represented in different countries of the world.

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The uniqueness of modern virtual assistants is that they can conduct dialogues that are almost indistinguishable from communication with real people.

Step-by-step implementation and setup

If you decide to use a virtual assistant for your digital business, you will have to go through several basic steps. Each requires increased attention so that the bot accurately performs its assigned tasks.

Business API

First, you need to request the Business API from WhatsApp. This option is available if you have a business account. Choose a reliable and proven provider.

It is very important not to try to use unofficial access to send mailings or notifications to clients without using the API. Otherwise, you risk getting banned.

Dialogues

The structure of the script used for the virtual digital assistant directly depends on your company's key capabilities, features, and direction. However, some tips will be very useful to everyone.

• Assistant tasks. Think about what functions and tasks your bot will perform to create the corresponding dialogues;
• The popular questions. You have to make a list of questions that clients will ask most often;
• Blocks and topics. The general text of the created script should be divided into corresponding topics and logical blocks. Each of them will have its menu button;
• Response options. Chatbots can offer several response options depending on the nature of the questions. For example, when choosing a delivery method or payment option for a product,
• Testing. Before launching the bot, test it in test mode to see how correctly it uses dialogs.

After that, you can move on to the next step.

Platform

Thanks to specialized platforms, you can quickly and easily create scenarios. You don't have to come up with anything anew. Just use ready-made solutions and adapt them to your goals. Of course, in most cases, these platforms are paid. But the costs are fully justified.

Testing and installation

Now, check how much the virtual modern assistant meets your real expectations and performs the main tasks. You can install the script via a number after confirming your business account. Remember to come up with an original name for the bot.

The API will completely help you collect useful statistics, study analytics, and, if necessary, change or update your virtual assistant.

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