Why build smart auto-replies?
Automated replies save time and provide instant customer touchpoints. When combined with contextual logic and interactive elements (menus, quick replies, buttons), they become powerful assistants that guide users, collect information, and escalate to humans when needed.
Key benefits
- Instant 24/7 responses to frequently asked questions.
- Higher conversion from guided flows and CTAs.
- Captures structured data (email, order id) via conversation.
- Easy escalation to human agents with conversation history.
Typical architecture
A simple WapsChat bot usually includes:
- Webhook endpoint to receive incoming messages and delivery receipts.
- A message router / intent matcher to decide how to reply.
- State or session store to keep conversation context.
- Outbound API client to send messages and interactive templates through WapsChat.
Getting started (step-by-step)
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Onboard & obtain API keys
Create a WapsChat account and onboard on WhatsApp business API and get your API key and webhook secret (used to verify incoming requests).
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Expose a secure webhook
Host an HTTPS endpoint that WhatsApp will POST to when messages arrive. Verify requests using the shared secret or signature header.
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Design conversational flows
Sketch flows for common use-cases (FAQ, order status, lead capture) and decide when to show quick replies or escalate.
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Implement message handlers
Write bot to match user intents and reply with text, templates, or interactive components.
Sending interactive messages (buttons & quick replies)
Interactive templates increase response rates. Use buttons to present choices instead of free text when possible.
Best practices
- Always verify webhooks to prevent spoofing.
- Keep messages short and scannable; show options with buttons when appropriate.
- Log message IDs and delivery receipts for troubleshooting.
- Respect user privacy and include an easy "stop" flow to opt out.
- Use session timeouts and persist important state to a database for production.
Troubleshooting common issues
If messages are not delivering: check connect API or Whatsapp Setup section disconnect and reconnect your webhook.
Conclusion
WapsChat makes it straightforward to add smart auto-replies and interactive experiences to your WhatsApp-style channels. Start small with FAQs and guided flows, then expand with NLP or third-party intent recognition when you need more advanced understanding.