Best Reviews logo
Best Reviews may receive compensation for its content through paid collaborations. See how we sustain our work & review products.
The Ultimate Guide to Building a WhatsApp Chatbot

The Ultimate Guide to Building a WhatsApp Chatbot

By Micaela A.Micaela A. β€” Verified by Saskia H.Saskia H. β€” Last updated: January 29, 2025 β€” (0)
Table of contents

Running a small business means handling endless tasks: customer queries, sales, inventory, and everything in between. But what if there was a way to engage customers effortlessly, save time, and grow your business, all while keeping costs in check? There’s where chatbots enter the game.

With over 2 billion active users, WhatsApp is a goldmine for small businesses. Its high open rates ensure your messages are seen, making it the ideal platform for customer engagement. But manually responding to each message? That’s a full-time job on its own.

The Ultimate Guide to Building a WhatsApp Chatbot

Chatbots and automation are here to help. These tools can handle customer queries, provide instant replies, and even manage sales inquiries 24/7. However, the benefits of a WhatsApp chatbot don’t stop there. The cherry on top is that you don’t need to be a tech wizard to set one up. Thanks to innovative platforms like Manychat, creating a WhatsApp chatbot is now as easy as sending a text.

What is a WhatsApp chatbot, and why is it essential for small businesses?

A WhatsApp chatbot is an automated tool powered by artificial intelligence that interacts with customers through WhatsApp. It mimics human conversation, answering questions, providing support, and even completing transactions without manual intervention.

Here’s how it works: A chatbot is programmed to understand common customer queries (like ‘What’s your pricing?’ or ‘Where is my order?’) and respond instantly. It uses automation to handle routine tasks, while more complex issues are flagged for human attention.

Personal assistant robot

So, why use a WhatsApp chatbot? For small businesses, the benefits are game-changing:

  • πŸ’° Cost-efficiency: Save time and money by automating repetitive tasks.
  • πŸ“… 24/7 availability: Never miss a customer inquiry, even outside business hours.
  • πŸ‘₯ Enhance customer satisfaction: Provide quick, consistent, and personalized responses.
  • πŸ”Β Automate FAQs: Answer common queries automatically, freeing up your team for more complex tasks.
  • πŸ“ˆ Boost engagement: Use personalized messaging to nurture customer relationships, enhancing your marketing strategy.
  • πŸ“’ Streamline sales: Automate lead generation and even complete sales in the chat.

With a WhatsApp chatbot, small businesses can elevate their customer experience, improve productivity, and focus on growth without breaking the bank.

Free automation platform with Manychat
Manychat logo
Subscribe to Manychat's free version and have access to basic features at zero cost.
Get Manychat

Key features of a WhatsApp chatbot for small businesses

A WhatsApp chatbot is a handy powerhouse. Tailored to meet your business needs, they offer a range of features that can save time, boost efficiency, and enhance customer relationships. Here’s what a WhatsApp chatbot can do for you:

  • Automate workflows: WhatsApp chatbots handle repetitive tasks like order tracking, appointment scheduling, and FAQs, letting you focus on what matters most – growing your business.
  • Seamless integrations: These chatbots connect effortlessly with CRM platforms and payment systems, ensuring smooth customer interactions and faster checkouts.
  • Broadcast messaging: They can easily send updates, promotions, or announcements to your customer base, keeping everyone engaged and informed.
  • Personalize responses: Chatbots use customer data to deliver tailored recommendations, build stronger relationships and drive sales.
  • Data collection and analytics: Gain valuable insights into customer behavior, message performance, and sales trends to refine your strategies.

Choosing a trustworthy and comprehensive provider like Manychat can make your life much easier. With its templates, AI tools, and simple-to-build bot flows, this provider guarantees a streamlined business.

Manychat
Manychat
Editor's rating:
Reviews
  • Automated responses across platforms
  • Integration with popular business tools
  • Intuitive mobile app
  • AI-driven customer support
  • No live chat
  • No refunds
Starting price: $15/mo Get Manychat
Screenshots
Offers
Free automation platform with Manychat

How to build a WhatsApp chatbot for your business

Creating a WhatsApp chatbot may sound complicated, but it’s easier than ever to do if you follow best practices and use the right tools.

How to build a WhatsApp chatbot

1

Define your goals: Start by identifying what you want your chatbot to do. Is it for enhancing customer engagement? Handling FAQs? Automating sales? Collecting customer feedback? Clear goals will help you design a chatbot tailored perfectly to your business needs.

2

Choose the right platform: A user-friendly platform like Manychat allows you to build and customize your WhatsApp chatbot without any coding knowledge. Look for features like drag-and-drop builders, handy templates, and integration options.

3

Set up your WhatsApp business API: To use a chatbot, you’ll need access to the WhatsApp Business API. You can do so manually or use a provider that does that for you, like Manychat.

Building a WhatsApp chatbot for small businesses doesn’t have to be intimidating. With platforms like Manychat guiding you every step of the way, you’ll have a powerful automation tool up and running quickly, ready to save time, improve productivity, and enhance customer experiences.

Best practices for using WhatsApp chatbots to grow your business

A WhatsApp chatbot is a powerful tool, but using it effectively is key to maximizing its impact. Here are some actionable tips to help you leverage your chatbot for business growth while ensuring an exceptional customer experience.

  • πŸ’¬ Personalized interactions: Customers crave real connections. Use your chatbot to greet users by name, recommend products based on their preferences and purchase history, or follow up on previous interactions.
  • πŸ‘€ Focus on user experience: Your chatbot should be easy to navigate and quick to respond. Use clear menus and intuitive chat flows guide customers to the necessary information. Platforms like Manychat can help you achieve that by offering templates and user-friendly interfaces that make building and testing your bot easy.
  • πŸ€– Adjust your bot: Once your bot is created, the job is not over. You should monitor feedback and make the proper adjustments to ensure it’s as efficient as possible.
  • πŸ“Š Leverage analytics: Use your chatbot’s analytics to monitor engagement rates, message performance, and customer behavior. These insights can help you refine your strategy and enhance customer satisfaction.
  • πŸ™‹πŸ»β€β™‚οΈ Automate but stay human: While automation is great, sometimes human intervention is necessary. Ensure your chatbot can seamlessly transfer conversations to a live agent when necessary.

Automation is now everywhere, so take advantage of it. By following these practices, you can ensure your clients are always put first while simultaneously optimizing your business tasks.

Woman texting on WhatsApp

Sit back and enjoy the automation era

Having a virtual assistant to handle customer inquiries, boost engagement, and even drive sales is no longer an unachievable dream. Thanks to AI and chatbot automation, you can focus on growing your social media, sales, and engagement with little worry.

And the good news is that doing so is not complicated at all. Several providers like Manychat make it simple for you to build a smart, personalized chatbot in no time. Its easy-to-use platform, seamless integrations, and insightful analytics make the process effortless, even if tech isn’t your strong suit.

WhatsApp chatbots for small businesses can be considered your extra-productive assistant, helping grow businesses without breaking the bank. So, now’s the time to start automating your business and making everything as optimized as possible.

User feedback

 Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Best Reviews

Best Reviews may receive compensation for its content through paid collaborations and/or affiliate links. Learn more about how we sustain our work and review products.

Β©2012-2025 Best Reviews, a clovio brand – All rights reserved
Privacy policy Β· Cookie policy Β· Terms of use Β· Partnerships Β· Contact us