How to build your first WhatsApp chatbot

The best first bot is small. Pick one job and do it well. A good first job is to welcome a new enquiry, find out what they need and create a lead.

Step 1: choose the trigger

A bot starts on one or more keywords, or on any first message. For a general welcome bot choose any message. For an ad or campaign choose a keyword.

Step 2: write the conversation on paper

1. A short greeting that names your business.
2. A question with reply buttons: for example Sales, Support, Pricing.
3. One follow-up question depending on the choice, such as name or city.
4. A confirmation and what happens next.

Step 3: build it on the canvas

• Add a message block for the greeting.
• Add a buttons or list block for the choice.
• Add ask blocks to save the name, phone or email as variables.
• Add a Create Lead action. Choose a platform tag so you know where the lead came from.
• Add Request Intervention when you want a person to take over.

Step 4: test and publish

Message your business number from a different phone and walk through every branch. When it behaves, publish the version. Customers who send the trigger start the flow.

Keep it human

• Always offer a way to reach a person.
• Keep messages short, one idea each.
• Do not ask for more than you need.
• Review bot sessions in reports and improve the flow.

Ten Digit chatbots follow the flow you design. They do not generate answers on their own.