WhatsApp Business: how to automate replies without coding
If customers message you on WhatsApp, you probably spend some time answering the same questions: opening hours, price, availability or location. Part of that work can be simplified with the free tools in WhatsApp Business.
Use WhatsApp Business
The WhatsApp Business app lets you create a business profile with details such as opening hours, address, email, website and description.
If you already use another WhatsApp number, plan the switch and back up your chats before moving them.
Greeting message and away message
The greeting message can welcome new contacts and ask straight away for the information you need.
The away message can reply outside your set hours and say when the team will be available.
Quick replies
Quick replies let you save messages you use often.
They can be useful for:
- Opening hours.
- Prices.
- Location.
- Documents needed.
- Information about services.
Write it once and reuse the reply whenever you need to.
Labels and catalogue
Labels help organise chats by stage, such as new customer, quote sent or completed.
The catalogue lets you show products or services directly in WhatsApp, with photo, description and price.
When the app is no longer enough
The app's tools essentially reply based on messages and rules you set.
If you need to check a calendar, create bookings, answer more complex questions or connect WhatsApp to the company's systems, you may need a solution integrated with the WhatsApp Business Platform.
That solution may involve Meta fees and implementation costs, depending on the setup.
Where to start this week
- Install WhatsApp Business.
- Fill in the business profile.
- Create a greeting message.
- Create an away message.
- Prepare five quick replies for the questions you get most.
- After a month, measure how many messages you received and how much time you spent replying.
That number helps you judge whether it's worth moving to a more complete automation.