How to Integrate Chatbot with WhatsApp Business API [Common Questions]

WhatsApp is on everybody’s A-list. It’s nothing new that WhatsApp is on the hype and most companies want to implement the bot into for business. Statistic says, that today messenger has 1.6 Billion monthly active users across 170+ Countries and 80% of messages sent to WhatsApp are seen within 5 minutes compared to the traditional SMS. Looks impressive but there are still a lot of uncovered questions that go on and on.

So, I gathered the most important for development and implementation questions that cover WhatsApp Business API. In the course of creating the article, I also checked Quora questions I’ve previously answered related to the topic. Please check the following list and write the questions you want to know.

What is a WhatsApp bot?

For now, the WhatsApp bot seems like a simple AI solution. The bot for this messenger communicates only through text chat and images. Buttons and additional tools are not possible like on other messengers.

How safe are WhatsApp bots?

WhatsApp bots are very safe. Compared with other platforms, WhatsApp bots really encrypt messages. Messages to the WhatsApp server come via encrypted format. Check WhatsApp Availability and Scaling to understand how the service architecture provides this.

How do I build a simple Whatsapp bot?

To create a simple bot for WhatsApp without any additional help you can use the Twilio API that allows one start building and prototyping in a sandbox. Visit Twilio API for WhatsApp to understand how it works.

Check out our guide How To Register a Chatbot In WhatsApp With Twilio [Step-By-Step Guide]

Is it possible to integrate a chatbot in Whatsapp which replies to my messages?

As mentioned previously, you can already build a bot for WhatsApp. First of all, install and set up the WhatsApp server. Then you will get access to the API that gives the opportunity for a bot to start working.

Warning: the bot will start working if it is created with programming languages but not with cloud platforms.

You can probably integrate a chatbot with WhatsApp but you’ll need to create an integration by yourself.

Launch the following services:

Then create an integration code with AI WA. Check out API Reference to understand how to build that. Here you find information regarding WhatsApp Business API Root Nodes and example of WhatsApp Business API format uses the contacts node.

How do I create a computer bot that can automatically reply to all our Facebook and Whatsapp messages?

As far as I know, one of the solutions is to use the Twillio API for WhatsApp using a simple REST API. The Twilio API for WhatsApp allows developers to start building and prototyping in a sandbox. In order to launch apps in production, you can request access to enable WhatsApp on your Twilio number. WhatsApp is currently opening up access in a Limited Availability program, where WhatsApp approval is required for all customers who wish to create their own profiles. Check out this link to start work with Twiliio API.

Other platforms, for example, Clare.AI and Hubtype, are still in beta testing. You can use these ones if you have the time when it will be launched.
For now, start learning how to make your bot for WhatsApp using WhatsApp Business API. So, the solution is to learn guidelines and tutorials and develop bot by yourself or pass the work to agencies.

How can I connect a WhatsApp group with a Telegram Group using a bot?

As of now, there isn’t any opportunity to work with groups in WhatsApp, unfortunately. As far as I know, only p2p communication is possible.

How accessible is the WhatsApp API?

WhatsApp API is accessible after branching on servers. Check this Installation and Upgrading to understand how it works in coding.

How can I get Whatsapp API?

First of all, install and update the WhatsApp Business API Client using Docker Compose. Follow all the steps and then you will get the WhatsApp API as you need it.

Make sure you have gotten approval for your business’s phone number and have a Verified Name certificate before attempting installation.

Initial Setup

Before continuing, please read through the other WhatsApp Business API guides.

This guide requires Docker, a container platform that lets you run the WhatsApp Business API Client. Docker Compose is also required. Docker Compose is bundled with Docker for macOS and Windows but requires a separate installation on Linux.

1. Install Docker on your system.
2. If Docker Compose is not bundled with your Docker installation, install it.
3. Download the docker-compose.yml and db.env configuration files: -WhatsApp_Configuration_Files.zip (find it here)
4. Open a console and navigate to the directory where you saved the downloaded files.
5. If you have a MySQL installation running, change the values in the db.env file to reflect your MySQL configuration. If you do not have MySQL installed, the docker-compose.yml and db.env files have a default configuration to bring up an instance in a local container.
6. Run the following command in the console:

docker-compose up

You will get some output, while the script downloads the Docker images and sets everything up. To run the containers in the background, use the -d parameter:

docker-compose up -d

Once you have completed these steps, ensure that the containers are running with the following command:

docker-compose ps

By default, the Web app container will be running on port 9090.

You can download and configure our Postman Collection to easily interact with the WhatsApp Business API.

Refer to the Registration documentation for the next steps.

Please note that the list could be supplemented by other related questions. If you have anything to add, please share it with us and we’ll include it in the existing list. So, follow me and stay on top of WhatsApp chatbots novelties.