Overview
In this guide, we'll go through how to integrate your AI Assistant into WhatsApp. Here's an overview of what we'll cover:
- Prerequisites
- Connecting Quickchat AI to WhatsApp
- Connecting your AI Assistant to WhatsApp
Prerequisites
1. Phone number
It is important to decide which phone number you are going to use for your WhatsApp integration.
You cannot use your personal phone number. You need a dedicated phone number for your business - able to receive voice calls or SMS. If you would like to learn more, see WhatsApp documentation.
One of the following will apply to you:
I) I already have a phone number for my business and I already connected it to WhatsApp.
According to the WhatsApp documentation, unfortunately, you will not be able to simply connect an external service like Quickchat AI to a phone number that has already been in use on WhatsApp. We understand that might be an inconvenience, but we will guide you through available options:
- Reuse the phone number by taking the necessary steps outlined in the WhatsApp documentation. It is a two-step migration process which involves first deleting the WhatsApp account and then recreating it. WhatsApp documentation explains how to back up conversation history - whether you are an Android or iOS user. Start here.
- Create a new phone number specifically for the Quickchat AI integration. There are several options here:
- purchase a new physical SIM card,
- purchase an eSIM from a provider such as Airalo, Orange, Revolut, MobiMatter, or many others
- purchase a virtual phone number from a provider such as Avoxi, OpenPhone, VirtualPhone, or many others
II) I already have a phone number for my business and I haven't connected it to WhatsApp yet.
No extra steps necessary, please follow the steps outlined below.
III) I don't have a phone number for my business yet.
As described above, we recommend one of the three methods to create a new phone number.
If you run into any issues, please get in touch.
2. Business information
When going through WhatsApp integration steps, you will be required to provide information about your Business such as:
- Business name
- Business website
- Business category
- Business description
Even though some of the above fields will be marked as optional, we highly recommend accurately providing all information about your business. Inaccurate or missing information may delay your integration process or cause your account to be suspended by WhatsApp.
Step 1: Connect Quickchat AI to WhatsApp
Navigate to the Integrations tab in the Quickchat AI App. Click on WhatsApp and then click on the Step 1 button.
A pop-up window from Meta will appear. Please follow the steps:
- Log in to the account you wish to connect your AI Assistant to.
- Click Get Started to begin the integration process.
- Correctly fill in the business information: Meta Business Account, Business Name, Business website, etc.
- Next, create or select your WhatsApp Business Account.
- Add your business phone number to WhatsApp. Please keep in mind the Prerequisites above!
- Verify the number.
- If no errors appear, you have successfully connected the phone number 🎉 Otherwise, please revisit our Prerequisites above to make sure you correctly provided your business phone number and information.
Step 2: Connect your AI Assistant to WhatsApp
Within the same modal in the Quickchat AI App, click on the Step 2 button. Another pop-up window from Meta will appear. Please follow the steps:
- Log into the Facebook Business account you want to connect your AI Assistant to (the same as in the previous section).
- Choose the WhatsApp Account you want Quickchat AI to access.
- Review the access you're granting Quickchat AI and connect.
- If you see the "Update successful, you can close this window now.", you have successfully integrated WhatsApp to your AI Assistant.
Upon completing these steps, your users can text the phone number and your AI Assistant will reply. 🎉
As a final verification of your integration, send a text message to the WhatsApp number you just connected. You should get a reply from your AI Assistant and the conversation should appear in the Inbox in the Quickchat AI App.