What do I need to create a WhatsApp bot?
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2025 7:00 am
The process of creating a functional bot takes some time, but it's definitely worth it.
1. Get WhatsApp API Authorization
Next, of course, you need to apply for the official WhatsApp Business API. As mentioned above, the API is still in beta mode, so WhatsApp is currently targeting medium and large businesses. This process involves submitting your company name, URL, and the name and contact information of a company representative, and can take up to four weeks.
You can do this yourself or hire a WhatsApp Business solution provider (which can also be a chatbot building platform) to help you with the process. For example, Landbot can act as an el-salvador mobile phone numbers database administrative intermediary and monitor your application and settings.
2. Choose a chatbot builder
If you want to create a chatbot for WhatsApp, we highly recommend using a Bot Builder as it simplifies the whole process a lot.
For example, Starlight offers App Center feature modules that allow you to build and test conversation flows before launching them. Introduce third-party integrations (e.g., Slack, Google Analytics) that enable handoff by a human agent without requiring programming skills.
Additionally, the builder allows you to manage and analyze all conversations and collected data in a central location.
Using a builder to simplify the creation of a WhatsApp bot saves you time and reduces some of the technical complexities.
3. Make conversation the core of your bot
A WhatsApp chatbot is no different from any other conversational interface: it must make the user feel comfortable and relaxed, so following the rules of conversation won't compromise your end goal.
WhatsApp marketing campaign example
There are lots of creative WhatsApp marketing strategies you can use to make the most of the official API. Here are some real-world examples of WhatsApp bots from brands around the world who are using WhatsApp to achieve their marketing and sales goals.
Tokopedia: Eliminating friction to improve customer satisfaction
Tokopedia is Indonesia's largest online marketplace, serving millions of users and vendors across the country. The brand uses dynamic one-time password (OTP) verification to provide security and prevent fraud. However, they encountered roadblocks with bounced text messages, which significantly impacted response rates and resulted in customer dissatisfaction.
The brand decided to implement the WhatsApp API, as communication via the messaging app saw a 58% higher delivery rate and a 10% higher success rate for one-time passwords compared to standard text.
About the Company
PT Tokopedia is an electronic trading company, or commonly known as an online store. Since its establishment in 2009, Tokopedia has transformed into an influential unicorn not only in Indonesia but also in Southeast Asia. Tokopedia is one of the most visited marketplaces for Indonesians.
Tokopedia also supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and individuals to grow their businesses by marketing their products online with governments and other stakeholders. One of the collaboration projects launched by Tokopedia is the event "MAKERFEST", which has been held annually since March 2018.
On May 17, 2021, Tokopedia and Gojek officially announced their merger to form the GoTo Group. [8] The name GoTo itself comes from the abbreviation of Gojek and Tokopedia, and the word gotong-royong.
1. Get WhatsApp API Authorization
Next, of course, you need to apply for the official WhatsApp Business API. As mentioned above, the API is still in beta mode, so WhatsApp is currently targeting medium and large businesses. This process involves submitting your company name, URL, and the name and contact information of a company representative, and can take up to four weeks.
You can do this yourself or hire a WhatsApp Business solution provider (which can also be a chatbot building platform) to help you with the process. For example, Landbot can act as an el-salvador mobile phone numbers database administrative intermediary and monitor your application and settings.
2. Choose a chatbot builder
If you want to create a chatbot for WhatsApp, we highly recommend using a Bot Builder as it simplifies the whole process a lot.
For example, Starlight offers App Center feature modules that allow you to build and test conversation flows before launching them. Introduce third-party integrations (e.g., Slack, Google Analytics) that enable handoff by a human agent without requiring programming skills.
Additionally, the builder allows you to manage and analyze all conversations and collected data in a central location.
Using a builder to simplify the creation of a WhatsApp bot saves you time and reduces some of the technical complexities.
3. Make conversation the core of your bot
A WhatsApp chatbot is no different from any other conversational interface: it must make the user feel comfortable and relaxed, so following the rules of conversation won't compromise your end goal.
WhatsApp marketing campaign example
There are lots of creative WhatsApp marketing strategies you can use to make the most of the official API. Here are some real-world examples of WhatsApp bots from brands around the world who are using WhatsApp to achieve their marketing and sales goals.
Tokopedia: Eliminating friction to improve customer satisfaction
Tokopedia is Indonesia's largest online marketplace, serving millions of users and vendors across the country. The brand uses dynamic one-time password (OTP) verification to provide security and prevent fraud. However, they encountered roadblocks with bounced text messages, which significantly impacted response rates and resulted in customer dissatisfaction.
The brand decided to implement the WhatsApp API, as communication via the messaging app saw a 58% higher delivery rate and a 10% higher success rate for one-time passwords compared to standard text.
About the Company
PT Tokopedia is an electronic trading company, or commonly known as an online store. Since its establishment in 2009, Tokopedia has transformed into an influential unicorn not only in Indonesia but also in Southeast Asia. Tokopedia is one of the most visited marketplaces for Indonesians.
Tokopedia also supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and individuals to grow their businesses by marketing their products online with governments and other stakeholders. One of the collaboration projects launched by Tokopedia is the event "MAKERFEST", which has been held annually since March 2018.
On May 17, 2021, Tokopedia and Gojek officially announced their merger to form the GoTo Group. [8] The name GoTo itself comes from the abbreviation of Gojek and Tokopedia, and the word gotong-royong.