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Getting Started

This quick start takes you from a new account to a working WhatsApp chatbot and your first broadcast. Plan for about 30 minutes, plus the time Meta takes to approve your WhatsApp templates.

Once you are in, the in-app setup guide at Help > Getting Started tracks these steps for you and ticks them off as you go.

Step 1: Sign up for a new account​

  1. Open the Whautomate sign-up page and fill in Business Name, Business Category, First Name, Last Name, Business Email, Password and Phone Number.
  2. Check the location and timezone shown under the form; click change if they are wrong.
  3. Click Create account. Whautomate emails a verification link to your business email.
  4. While you wait, answer What do you want to do first? Your trial includes the modules you pick (Chat, broadcasts and automations is always included), and your setup guide starts with them. You can add or remove modules later.
  5. Open the email and click the link to verify your account.

Step 2: Connect WhatsApp with Embedded Signup​

Connect your WhatsApp number through Meta's Embedded Signup. You can use a new number, or keep a number you already use in the WhatsApp Business app and use it in Whautomate at the same time. See WhatsApp Cloud API for the full steps.

After connecting, add a payment method to your WhatsApp Business Account so you can send template messages. See WhatsApp Payment Method.

Step 3: Install a chatbot​

Install a chatbot from a template so your number answers customers straight away. See Setup WhatsApp Chatbot.

Step 4: Download the mobile app​

Answer customers from your phone with the Whautomate Business app. Sign in with the same email and password you used to sign up.

Download on the App Storeapps.apple.com Get it on Google Playplay.google.com

See Mobile Team Inbox App.

Step 5: Test your chatbot​

  1. From your personal WhatsApp, send a message to the number you connected. The chatbot replies.
  2. Open the conversation in the team inbox, on the web or in the mobile app, and send a reply as a team member.
Bots reply only to closed conversations

Chatbots reply only while a conversation is Closed. When a team member replies, the conversation moves to Open and the bots stay quiet until someone closes it. See Team Inbox.

Step 6: Send a broadcast​

Send an approved WhatsApp template to a segment of your contacts. See WhatsApp Broadcasts.

Next steps​

Pick the guide for your type of business:

Customer ServiceMarketingSalesE-CommerceAppointmentsClasses & Subscriptions
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