More than 220 million businesses are already leveraging WhatsApp Business to use its extensive user base for sales & support.
You are late for the party!
But better late than never!
WhatsApp API is an enhanced version of WhatsApp Business with better messaging and customer support capabilities. The whopping 99% open rate of WhatsApp API messaging signifies the reach is credible and trustworthy.
Why won’t a business catch on to such a platform for marketing and sales campaigns, additionally providing a convenient customer experience?
Since now we know you want to!
Here is the ultimate guide to WhatsApp Business API and Shopify WhatsApp Integration, so you don’t have to pick things differently with extra effort.
What is WhatsApp Business API?
WhatsApp Business API is another advanced version of the WhatsApp platform. It is designed to meet the needs of medium to large-sized businesses as it includes advanced messaging, automated support, and integrating WhatsApp messaging into existing systems and workflows.
WhatsApp API is an interface that leverages channels outside of WhatsApp, such as your website or storefront, to promote your WhatsApp number and raise organic awareness. Business-initiated messages enable you to engage customers throughout their buyer journey through customizable message templates, which can be text-based, media-based, or interactive, with the customer's consent.
Hence, WhatsApp API enables businesses to engage with customers more personalized and efficiently, resulting in a better overall experience. Feature-rich communication and analytics tracking for WhatsApp messaging campaigns are also included.
Features Of WhatsApp Business API
Ready to step up your business communication game?
Let's take a closer look at the key features of WhatsApp Business API and how Shopify WhatsApp Integration helps you connect with your customers more efficiently and effectively. From automated messaging to real-time analytics, we've got you covered. Let's dive in!
- Approval by WhatsApp:
Businesses must be approved by WhatsApp and comply with its policies and guidelines to use the WhatsApp Business API platform and for Shopify WhatsApp Integration.
- Pricing models:
WhatsApp Business API is a paid service for medium to large businesses and offers message-based and subscription-based pricing models.
WhatsApp Business API pricing varies based on the number of messages sent and received per month and the messaging use case and can differ by country. Certain features, like chatbots and system integration, may incur additional costs.
Conversation-based pricing is changing. Please see the Pricing Changes document to learn about it and to utilize it for Shopify WhatsApp Integration further.
- Integration with existing systems:
The WhatsApp Business API can be integrated with a business's existing systems and tools to provide a seamless communication experience for customers, such as real-time updates on orders and appointments.
- Automated messaging:
The WhatsApp Business API allows Shopify stores to interact with customers through automated messaging, providing security and efficiency.
Businesses can set up automated messaging flows through predefined message templates that can be customized as per their requirements. This allows businesses to provide real-time updates to their customers in an automated manner, making their interactions with customers faster, smoother, and more personalized.
- Advanced messaging capabilities:
Shopify Stores can use customizable message templates, including text, media, and interactive elements with customer opt-in.
WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to simultaneously handle multiple customer interactions via live chatbots and scale customer service operations as their business expands.
Shopify WhatsApp Integration facilitates real-time response to customer inquiries and concerns, increasing the likelihood of conversion into paying customers.
- Detailed metrics and analytics:
The WhatsApp Business API provides detailed metrics and analytics, enabling businesses to track the performance of their WhatsApp messaging campaigns.
Shopify WhatsApp Integration enables businesses to track customer interactions and purchase history to gain insights into customer preferences and behaviors, leading to opportunities for cross-selling and upselling of related or complementary products and services.
- Business verification:
WhatsApp Business API requires business verification to ensure a secure communication channel. This verification process is a way for WhatsApp to confirm that the account using the API belongs to a legitimate business, which can help prevent fraud and other forms of abuse.
To get verified, businesses must provide certain information, including their legal name, physical address, and official documentation proving their identity.
Once verified, the business will be given a green checkmark next to its name, indicating to customers that they are a legitimate and trustworthy business.
- Live chatbots for customer service:
The WhatsApp Business API allows live chatbots for customer service, improving the customer experience. The API also helps increase customer satisfaction by offering automated customer support.
Shopify WhatsApp Integration allows businesses to create custom chatbots to assist customers with their inquiries. The bots are trained based on customer data and can provide personalized advice and support, increasing customer engagement and satisfaction.
- 24-hour session message:
The WhatsApp Business API allows 24-hour session messaging with customers. The 24-hour session message feature of WhatsApp API will enable businesses to send messages to customers who have initiated a conversation with the business within the last 24 hours. During these 24 hours, businesses can send automated and manual customer messages.
After 24 hours, businesses can still send messages to customers, but only through message templates that WhatsApp has approved.
- Catalog Sharing:
The Catalog sharing feature of WhatsApp API allows businesses to showcase their products and services to customers through an interactive and visual format in a visually appealing way.
It enables businesses to create a digital catalog with details such as product descriptions, prices, and images, which can be shared with customers via WhatsApp messaging.
Using the Catalog sharing feature, businesses can display a wide range of products and services in a single place, making it easier for customers to browse and choose what they need. They can also provide quick and convenient access to pricing, product details, and availability.
Catalogs can be easily managed and updated, adding new products or removing old ones.
Easiest Way To Integrate WhatsApp Into the Shopify Store
Here are the steps to integrate WhatsApp into the Shopify store:
- Install the "WhatsApp Chat + Abandoned Cart" app from the Shopify App Store.
- Configure the app settings, including the WhatsApp number you want to use for customer support and the message templates you want to use.
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- Customize the appearance and behavior of the chat widget to match your branding and preferences.
- Test the integration to ensure it works properly and adjust settings as needed.
By following these steps to integrate WhatsApp with Shopify, you can quickly and easily integrate WhatsApp into your Shopify store to provide better customer support and increase sales.
How Do You Integrate WhatsApp API On Your Shopify Store?
To Integrate WhatsApp into Shopify Store via Btiespeed, follow these steps-
STEP 1 - Business & Facebook Account Details
In the first step, you need to share your details about your Facebook Business account and your website here. Bitespeed will apply for WhatsApp API approval on your behalf.
Facebook will verify your website and approve or reject your application, depending on whether or not your business meets the WhatsApp Terms of Service.
WhatsApp only allows certain types of businesses to request API access. You can read their policy to see if you are eligible here.
You should also check if your display name and phone number adhere to WhatsApp's guidelines or not here and here.
STEP 2
Bitespeed will reach out to you in some time on your personal WhatsApp number in the form mentioned in STEP 1 to inform you about a request you'll need to approve in your Facebook business manager account.
STEP 3
You will need to verify the ownership of the phone number using an OTP / verification code sent to your number via SMS. We will again reach out to you during this step.
The overall process should take anywhere from 2-5 business days.
WhatsApp API Business Templates
WhatsApp Business Templates are pre-approved message templates that businesses can use to send notifications, alerts, and customer support messages to their customers consistently and efficiently. These templates are designed to comply with WhatsApp's policies and guidelines and provide a structured format for businesses to send messages in a way that ensures high delivery rates and user engagement.
Using WhatsApp Business templates can save businesses time and resources, as they don't need to create and send individualized responses to each message. These pre-approved message templates can provide quick and standardized responses to common customer inquiries, such as order confirmations, delivery updates, and appointment reminders.
When creating WhatsApp API Business Templates, following certain best practices is essential.
These include keeping the templates concise and clear, using a conversational and personalized tone, including relevant information such as order details or account updates, and ensuring that the templates adhere to WhatsApp's policies and guidelines.
Additionally, testing the templates before using them is a good idea to ensure they work as intended and provide a positive customer experience.
WhatsApp API Business Templates Examples
Here are 4 categories with examples of WhatsApp API Business Templates for e-commerce:
- Order notifications:
These templates provide real-time updates to customers about their orders, including confirmation of the order received, the payment received, and the order shipped.
Example: "Hi, your order has been successfully received and is being processed. We will notify you once it is shipped."
- Delivery notifications:
These templates inform customers about the status of their deliveries, including expected delivery dates and times and tracking information.
Example: "Your order has been shipped and will be delivered on [date] between [time range]. Here's your tracking information: [link]."
- Cart reminders:
These templates remind customers of items left in their carts and encourage them to complete their purchases.
Example: "Hey, don't forget about the items in your cart! Complete your purchase now and enjoy free shipping."
- Product recommendations:
These templates suggest related or complementary products to customers based on their purchase history or browsing behavior.
Example: "Based on your recent purchase, we thought you might be interested in these products. Check them out now!"
Setting Up WhatsApp Notifications For Your Shopify Store
Here are a few categories under which a Shopify store owner can set Shopify WhatsApp notifications-
How to set up Shipping Notifications Campaign on WhatsApp-
- Go to WhatsApp->auto-campaigns in the sidebar and select buyers from the customer journey stages.
- From here select the shipping notification campaign.
- Now in the editor, you can enter your customer support number via which customers can reach back once you're done, click on save and turn on the campaign.
How to set up Abandoned Cart Campaigns on WhatsApp?
- Go to WhatsApp -> auto-campaigns in the sidebar and select shoppers from the customer journey stages.
- From here, select the abandoned cart campaign.
- Now in the editor, add your customer support number via which customers can reach you. Once you're done, click on save and turn on the campaign.
How to set up product abandonment campaigns on WhatsApp?
- Go to WhatsApp->auto-campaigns in the sidebar and select shoppers from the customer journey stages.
- From here select the product abandonment campaign.
- Once open, provide your customer support number on which customers can reach back to you and click on save and turn on the campaign.
How to set up order receipt campaigns on WhatsApp?
- Go to WhatsApp->auto-campaigns in the sidebar and select buyers from the customer journey stages.
- From here, select the order receipt campaign.
- Now in the editor, provide your customer support number via which customers can reach you. Once you're done, click on save and turn on the campaign.
After setting up the campaign, open up your store URL in an incognito window, opt-in to WhatsApp using any of the opt-in tools on your website, and place a test order. Now you should mark the order as fulfilled, and you'll be able to see the shipping notification in messenger.
Conclusion
And there you have it, folks! Now you know how to integrate WhatsApp API with your Shopify store and the importance of using WhatsApp API Business Templates.
With the power of WhatsApp API, you can take your customer engagement and service to the next level.
So go ahead, try it, and say goodbye to boring customer interactions. Happy messaging!
Boost your Shopify store's revenue by 20% with BiteSpeed's WhatsApp integration, featuring omnichannel support, abandoned cart recovery, segmented bulk messaging, and WhatsApp shop and chatbot capabilities.
