How to publish your bot on the WhatsApp channel - 1st version

Index:

1. Introduction
2. Step by step on how to connect the chatbot

Introduction

Connecting your chatbot with WhatsApp is very simple, but before you start you need to make sure that:

• You have admin access to the chatbot in which the number will be activated;
• The phone number has an active line and is enabled to receive voice call or text message; 
• The phone number is not active on any other platform, nor in the free WhatsApp apps. If so, make sure the account can be unlinked/deleted at the time of activation (See this documentation if you have any questions about this point);
• The phone number does not have an IVR connected to the line. If so, make sure you are able to deactivate it when necessary;
• Your business has already received the WhatsApp account ID by email (WABA - WhatsApp Business Account).

Note: The previous information about the WABA ID, necessary to activate the WhatsApp channel, is sent by email to organizations that already have a Blip plan and have already gone through the activation process on WhatsApp at some other time previously.

Step by step on how to connect the chatbot

Now that you have made sure of the items above, let's go through the activation process step by step.

On the Blip Portal, select the chatbot in which you want to activate your number and in the “Channels” tab, select “Connect” in the WhatsApp card.

Now, enter your WhatsApp account ID, which you received via email earlier. Click “Search”.

Next, a list of numbers registered with your company's WABA that have not yet been activated will be displayed. Select the number you want to activate in this chatbot and click “Confirm number”.

In a few moments, you will need to receive a validation code for your phone number. You can choose receiving whether via text message or via voice call.

Attention: landline numbers or other special numbers only receive the code via voice call. If there is an IVR configured on this number’s line, it is important that it is disabled before sending the code, otherwise it will not be possible to receive it. The voice call must reach the operator directly. 

You can also choose the language in which the code will be reported. 

After choosing the receipt method and entering the language, click on “Receive code”.

Enter the code received and click “Number verification”.

If you did not receive the code on the first attempt, click “Back” and click “Receive code again”. If after the second attempt you still not receiving the code, reply to the email you received with the activation information, asking for help. This way, you prevent Meta from blocking the number due to too many attempts.

Now, you must create a PIN for the number. This PIN must have 6 numerical digits and will only be requested when it is necessary to perform some configuration with the number, for example, when updating the display name. After creating the PIN, click on “Activate number”.

And done! Your phone number is now connected to Blip! You can now chat with your customers on WhatsApp, configure the channel's features and generate more insights for your business. With the number connected, you also have the possibility of interacting with your customers and leads proactively, without needing them to contact you first on WhatsApp.

Click here and learn about best practices for optimizing business initiated conversations.

You should also personalize the number's profile information so that your customers understand the authenticity of the contact. Click on “Business Profile” and change the profile information as you think is best.

For more information, join the discussion on this topic in our community or watch the videos on our channel. 😃