With over 2.5 billion active users, WhatsApp has become a gateway to ample customer engagement opportunities. In fact, with a 98% open rate, customers are more likely to engage and click your messages when you approach them on WhatsApp.
So, WhatsApp chatbot is the smartest way to leverage the potential of this platform. Your business can automate responses, qualify leads, and deliver real-time experiences with this bot.
In this guide, you’ll discover the benefits, how to build a WhatsApp chatbot, and the top alternatives available in the market.
AI Overview
WhatsApp business chatbot is an AI-driven tool that automates customer communication and enables businesses to handle queries, provide personalized support, and boost engagement. These chatbots integrate with the WhatsApp API to deliver seamless and real-time conversations.
Types of WhatsApp Chatbots:
- Rule-Based: Uses fixed flows and pre-programmed responses for simple tasks.
- AI-Powered: Understands intent and context for more natural conversations.
- Hybrid: Combines rule-based and AI capabilities with human handoff.
Benefits of Using a WhatsApp Chatbot
- 24/7 Availability: Customers receive prompt support anytime, anywhere.
- Time-Saving & Efficiency: Manages numerous conversations simultaneously.
- Cost-Effective: Eliminates the requirement for large customer service teams.
- Greater Customer Interaction: Sends personalized, relevant messages.
- Lead Generation & Conversion: Qualifies leads and guides purchase decisions.
WhatsApp Chatbot Use Cases by Industry
- Ecommerce: Order tracking, order-related queries, and returns.
- Healthcare: Appointment scheduling, reminders, and FAQs.
- Education: Course info, admissions, exam schedules, and registrations.
5 Best WhatsApp Chatbot Tools
- ControlHippo: CRM integration, WhatsApp Business API, drag-and-drop builder.
- Tidio: Free plan, live WhatsApp chat, and easy setup.
- Respond.io: AI-powered, multi-channel inbox, customizable workflows.
- Gupshup: NLP support, interactive messaging, developer-friendly.
- Landbot: Visual no-code builder, templates, CRM integrations.
How to Build a WhatsApp Chatbot with ControlHippo?
ControlHippo provides a platform to set up WhatsApp Business API access and design chatbot flows using a visual Flow Builder. It supports integration with CRM and other tools to enable personalized customer interactions. Moreover, ControlHippo also offers features to launch the chatbot on WhatsApp and monitor its performance through analytics.
What is a WhatsApp Chatbot?
An AI WhatsApp chatbot is an automated assistant powered by artificial intelligence and natural language processing that interacts with customers via WhatsApp.
It handles routine tasks like answering common customer questions, guiding users through options, or offering personalized product recommendations. By integrating with your WhatsApp business account through the WhatsApp Business API, you can streamline customer communication and deliver a peak customer experience.
Types of WhatsApp Chatbot
Always analyze your business needs and then only choose the chatbot that matches your requirements. Here are 3 major categories of WhatsApp chatbots:
1. Rule-Based Chatbots
These bots follow pre-programmed rules and fixed conversation flows. They respond to specific keywords or choices. Hence, they are ideal for simple FAQs and basic customer support.
2. AI-Powered Chatbots
Using natural language processing, these WhatsApp bots understand context and intent, which makes them ideal for more human conversations. AI-powered bots can answer complex queries and learn from interactions to constantly improve.
3. Hybrid Chatbots
Hybrid chatbots combine rule-based logic with AI capabilities and handle routine tasks automatically. Plus, they can escalate to human agents when needed for more complicated issues.
Benefits of Using a WhatsApp Chatbot for Businesses
Having WhatsApp chatbot tools can uplift your routine business interactions with potential customers. From enhanced response time to lead generation and sales, these bots offer many striking advantages to double the efficiency of your business.
1. 24/7 Availability
The greatest benefit of having a WhatsApp chatbot is – It never sleeps!
Customers can ask any queries to the WhatsApp chatbot without even considering day or night, or even weekends! For instance, a customer is out of town and needs urgent details of his order at 1 AM. Then, he can simply pick up his phone and chat with the WhatsApp Chatbot to get the information he needs without waiting.
2. Time-Saving and Efficiency
Chatbots can handle several conversations at the same time while giving rapid feedback to customers. It cuts down a significant portion of waiting time and enables your agents to spend more time on complex issues.
For instance, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot of a retail company can answer shipping or stock-related questions. It enables human agents to address other complex issues. So, it enhances customer satisfaction and employee effectiveness.
3. Cost-Effective Solution
It can be costly to hire and train customer care professionals for small companies. Henceforth, if repetitive questions like FAQs, appointment scheduling, and order tracking are answered through a WhatsApp chatbot, then it can be highly cost-effective for the company.
Besides that, the popularity of WhatsApp also allows businesses to communicate with customers all over the world at an extremely low communication cost.
4. Greater Customer Interaction
Personalization is an unbeatable feature that provides the ultimate customer experience. A WhatsApp bot sends customized messages, like sending reminders based on users’ cart items, for personalized interaction.
For instance, a fashion store’s chatbot can suggest new products depending on the customer’s history of purchases.
5. Lead Generation and Conversion
Beyond customer service, chatbots provide stellar customer service by receiving and sending WhatsApp messages to qualify leads.
Think of a real estate bot gathering budget and geography data from a lead and then scheduling a sales call. Or a bot on an e-commerce website guiding customers through the product catalog and facilitating purchase decisions, leading to a higher conversion rate.
How to Create a WhatsApp Bot?
Automate your customer communication effortlessly with ControlHippo. Our platform lets you create a powerful WhatsApp AI chatbot quickly to improve customer engagement and enhance your customer experience.
Follow these simple steps to build and deploy your chatbot on WhatsApp.
1. Set Up Your WhatsApp Business Profile
Start by setting up your WhatsApp Business account. This profile is vital for enhancing your chatbot’s performance.
- Download the WhatsApp Business app.
- Verify your business phone number.
- Complete your profile with your business details such as address, website, and working hours.
2. Get WhatsApp Business API Access through ControlHippo
To unlock powerful automation features like bulk message templates and personalized WhatsApp flows, you need access to the WhatsApp Business API.
Here are the steps to get the WhatsApp Business API:
- To get started, sign up on the ControlHippo web app.
- Click the “Connect” button under the WhatsApp Business API section.
- Then click on the “Connect Facebook” button.
- Enter your Facebook Business credentials and grant the necessary permissions.
This process links your WhatsApp business account to ControlHippo’s platform. It will allow you to manage and automate all your WhatsApp messaging from one place.
3. Design Your Chatbot Flow with ControlHippo
A chatbot flow is the structured path that guides conversations between your bot and customers. It defines how the bot responds to different inputs, handles customer queries, and when it should escalate to a human agent.
- Log in to your ControlHippo dashboard.
- Navigate to the Flow Builder section from the main menu.
- Click the “Create Flow” button to start a new chatbot flow.
- Enter the flow details including the flow name, select your WhatsApp channel or number, and choose a template category:
- Utility – for operational use such as order updates, confirmations, etc.
- Marketing – for campaign messages and customer engagement.
- Set the flow trigger to define how the flow will start. You can choose from:
- Manual Trigger – launched manually by an agent
- First Message – triggered when a user sends the first message
- Widget Click – triggered when a user interacts with a chat widget (e.g., on your website)
- Build the flow using the drag-and-drop interface. You can add steps like:
- Send a Message
- Ask a Question
- Button
- Question
- List
- AI Agent
- Close Conversation
- CSAT
- Assign To (agent)
- Once your flow is complete, click Save and then Activate to make it live.
4. Integrate with Your CRM or Tools
You can integrate your WhatsApp chatbot with CRM tools by connecting it through APIs or using third-party platforms like ControlHippo.
This setup enables your chatbot to automatically sync customer data, fetch order history, update contact details, and log conversations in your CRM in real time. It ensures every interaction is tracked, personalized, and aligned with your existing workflows.
5. Test and Launch
Before launching your WhatsApp chatbot, it’s essential to thoroughly test your chatbot flow using your own testing methods or third-party tools. This helps ensure the bot responds correctly, follows the intended conversation flow, and hands off to human agents when necessary.
Once you’re confident with the chatbot’s performance, use ControlHippo to connect and launch your chatbot on your WhatsApp business account seamlessly.
6. Monitor and Optimize
After launching your chatbot, use ControlHippo’s analytics dashboard to monitor key performance indicators such as message engagement, resolution rates, and fallback instances to human agents.
All in all, these insights help you understand how customers interact with your bot and make data-driven changes to improve chatbot performance.
WhatsApp Chatbot Use Cases by Industry
WhatsApp chatbots are reshaping the traditional way of engaging with customers, managing operations, and providing support. Here’s how different sectors are leveraging this technology:
1. E-commerce
The e-commerce sector is one of the biggest adopters of WhatsApp chatbots.
According to Statista, global retail e-commerce sales will witness around 31% growth over the coming years, with expectations to come close to 8 trillion dollars by 2028. Therefore, fast and personalized communication is crucial to handle this volume effectively.
Use Cases
- Handling product inquiries
- Tracking shipments
- Managing returns and refunds
- Guiding customers through the product catalog
E-commerce WhatsApp Chatbot Example
A customer asks, “Where is my order?” The bot instantly retrieves the shipment status and sends a real-time update directly in the chat, reducing support calls.
2. Healthcare
In healthcare, timely communication is critical. 92% of patients expect their healthcare providers to send them personalized reminders and messages. This rising demand of the industry can be fulfilled with human-like support of a WhatsApp chatbot.
Use Cases
- Appointment booking and reminders
- Prescription refill requests
- Patient education and FAQs
- Initial symptom screening
Healthcare WhatsApp Chatbot Example
Patients use the bot to book appointments, receive medication reminders, or ask about clinic hours to ease the workload of staff and improve patient satisfaction.
3. Education
With each passing day, more educational institutions are adopting WhatsApp chatbots to support students and staff. Apparently, this cost-effective tool gives them peace of mind by addressing thousands of queries on a daily basis.
Use Cases
- Answering questions about course availability and admissions
- Sharing exam schedules and project deadlines
- Guiding online registrations
- Fee payment reminders
Education WhatsApp Chatbot Example
A student asks about the application deadline. The bot quickly provides the relevant date and links to the online form, simplifying the admission process.
5 Best WhatsApp Chatbot Tools (No-code options)
Don’t get confused by the overwhelming options of WhatsApp chatbots in the market. We have identified the 5 best WhatsApp chatbot tools for you. Take a look at them:
| Tool | Key Features | Pricing Summary |
|---|---|---|
| ControlHippo | CRM integrations, WhatsApp Business API, drag-and-drop builder, automation, analytics | Free plan; starts from $20/user/month |
| Tidio | Conversational AI, no-code builder, multi-channel support | Starts at $29/month |
| Respond.io | AI-powered NLP, unified inbox, workflow automation | Starts at $79/month |
| Gupshup | NLP, interactive messages, developer tools | Custom pricing |
| Landbot | Visual no-code builder, CRM & Zapier integrations | Starts at $39/month |
1. ControlHippo
ControlHippo is a smart and scalable communication chatbot designed to revolutionize how businesses engage with their customers. Powered by AI, ControlHippo enhances customer conversations with intelligent routing, real-time personalization, and automated workflows. It’s designed to amplify engagement and help you scale effortlessly as your business grows.
Features
- AI copilot
- AI assistant
- Native CRM integrations (HubSpot, Zoho, Salesforce)
- Drag-and-drop chatbot builder
- Automated workflows
- Broadcast messages
Pros
- ControlHippo boosts customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- By automating routine tasks, it frees up your team’s valuable time.
- It helps the sales team focus on high-value leads.
- ControlHippo scales customer communication effortlessly as your business grows.
- It keeps operational costs down with smart automation features.
- ControlHippo enhances team collaboration and simplifies message management.
- This tool provides real-time insights to support data-driven decision-making.
Cons
- ControlHippo requires WhatsApp Business API approval before getting started.
- Some advanced features may involve a slight learning curve for new users.
Pricing
- Basic – Free
- Bronze – $20 per user/ month
- Silver – $28 per user/month
2. Tidio
Tidio is an all-in-one WhatsApp chatbot example that combines live chat and chatbot features to help businesses automate customer support easily, including on WhatsApp. With powerful AI features like Lyro conversational AI and intent recognition, Tidio delivers smart, context-aware interactions.
Features
- Lyro conversational AI
- Drag-and-drop visual chatbot builder
- NLP chatbots
- Machine learning
- Intent recognition functionalities
Pros
- Tidio is easy to set up and offers a user-friendly interface.
- It helps drive higher customer conversions through instant, automated replies.
- The platform integrates smoothly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify.
Cons
- The free plan lacks access to advanced WhatsApp Business API features.
- Customization options are somewhat limited compared to enterprise-grade solutions.
Pricing
- Starter ($29/mo)
- Growth (starts at $59/mo)
- Plus (starts at $749/mo)
- Premium (starts at $2999/mo)
3. Respond.io
Respond.io is the best WhatsApp chatbot that allows businesses to engage with customers through different messaging channels likes WeChat, Facebook Messenger, and other platforms. Equipped with an AI-driven chatbot builder and advanced automation tools, Respond.io makes it a breeze to deliver personalized customer experiences. Its multi-user collaboration and message preview features add extra flexibility for growing teams.
Features
- AI-driven chatbot builder with NLP capabilities
- Centralized inbox to manage conversations across WhatsApp, Messenger, SMS, etc
- Robust workflow automation supporting conditional logic
- Multi-user collaboration
- Advanced reporting tools
Pros
- Respond.io offers a highly customizable chatbot tailored to your business workflows.
- It supports multiple messaging channels from a single, unified platform.
- This tool is Ideal for businesses that require detailed automation, analytics, and reporting.
- Its message preview feature ensures users see exactly what they’ll receive before sending.
Cons
- Pricing can be on the higher side for small businesses or startups.
- The flexibility of automated responses may be limited in complex, unpredictable conversations.
Pricing
- Starter – $79/month
- Growth – $159/month
- Advanced – $279/month
4. Gupshup
Gupshup is a full-featured WhatsApp Business API provider and chatbot builder, ideal for businesses needing advanced conversational AI capabilities. It’s particularly suited for companies looking to deliver rich, interactive messaging experiences with features like quick replies, carousels, and polls. This tool makes it easy to manage customer interactions across various platforms. Also, its developer-friendly SDKs and APIs provide flexibility for businesses willing to customize their chatbot solutions.
Features
- Supports natural language processing (NLP)
- Away messages
- Interactive polls, quizzes, and more
- Multi-channel messaging available
- Rich message types like quick replies and carousels.
- Developer-friendly with SDKs and APIs
Pros
- Gupshup enables sophisticated AI-driven conversations and seamless integrations.
- This platform allows businesses to create and deploy chatbots without any coding skills.
Cons
- The reporting feature can be somewhat complicated and less intuitive compared to alternatives.
Pricing
- Contact their sales team
5. Landbot
Landbot is a user-friendly, no-code chatbot builder designed to create engaging conversational experiences for WhatsApp and web channels. Its drag-and-drop interface and interactive conversational forms make it easy to build natural, personalized chat flows quickly. With real-time analytics and WhatsApp broadcast capabilities, it empowers businesses to enhance customer engagement and improve conversions.
Features
- Drag-and-drop interface
- Interactive conversational forms
- Offers pre-built templates
- Op-ins web widgets
- Real-time analytics
- Sends WhatsApp broadcast
Pros
- Landbot enables fast creation of natural, engaging conversation flows.
- It offers quick deployment through customizable templates.
- The platform helps improve response times and increase conversion rates.
Cons
- Landbot has limitations in handling very complex conversation logic compared to developer-focused platforms.
Pricing
- Starter ($39/mo)
- Pro ($99/mo)
- WhatsApp Pro ($€200/mo)
- Business ($400/mo)
Wrapping Up
These tools offer a wide range of features to satisfy varying business needs, such as increasing conversion, getting more leads, and delivering a superior customer experience. Just ensure that you pick the right WhatsApp chatbot that aligns with your business goals, and then you will be ready to make your brand the showstopper of your industry.
Updated : May 17, 2025
Jainy Patel is a content strategist who specializes in omnichannel communication solutions. She develops innovative marketing strategies that unify messaging across various channels, ensuring a consistent and engaging customer journey. Jainy is passionate about optimizing communication processes and crafting targeted content that resonates with audiences at every touchpoint.