How to Add the WhatsApp Chat Option to Your Website?

By TimelinesAI
Reading Time: 7 Min

The article is Powered by TimelinesAI

Multi-number WhatsApp management and integration platform

Imagine someone lands on your website, excited about your product or service. They just have a quick question, but filling out a contact form or searching for an email address feels like a hassle. Frustrated, they might abandon the ship.

But what if they could chat with your business directly? Or, better yet, use the chat app they already know and love.

Here’s the thing. More than 30% of customers specifically look for a live chat function when visiting a business website. That’s a massive chunk of potential customers who might be slipping through the cracks!

How to Add the WhatsApp Chat Option to Your Website?

So, if you are looking to improve your website in 2024, you need to add the WhatsApp Chat Button. In this blog, we will discuss the different ways you can integrate the WhatsApp chat option on your website and why you should be doing that.

Why Does Your Business Need a WhatsApp Chat Button on Your Website?

First, let’s understand the why.

Customers are looking for convenience, and they prefer effortless communication with the businesses they interact with. Here’s how integrating WhatsApp chat into your website can be helpful:

Stay Connected Beyond the Visit

If a website visitor contacts your business through live chat, your business will not be able to chat with them once they leave the website. It is also possible that the customer might leave before you get a chance to respond.

With WhatsApp chat, customers can initiate a conversation and get on with their day. You can then respond at your convenience, answer their questions, and potentially convert them into customers.

Reduce Abandoned Carts

A staggering number of shopping carts get abandoned right before the finish line. Maybe a customer hesitated about the color, forgot a discount code, or simply got distracted.

Your Business Need a WhatsApp Chat Button on Your Website

WhatsApp chat lets you intervene at this crucial moment and keep the buying journey moving smoothly. Your team can chat with customers in real time, address any concerns, and help them complete their purchases. It’s like a helpful nudge at the right moment, turning abandoned carts into happy customers with full shopping bags.

Friendly and Familiar Communication

Emails can feel impersonal, and phone calls can be disruptive. WhatsApp chat offers a more personal touch, allowing for real-time conversations. Customers can chat with a real person on their phones, using the app they’re already familiar with.

This relaxed and friendly atmosphere builds trust and makes them feel comfortable asking questions and getting the information they need.

Effortless Sales and Lead Generation

Forget lengthy forms! In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king. That’s why 42% of customers prefer live chat to share their contact information. WhatsApp chat offers exactly that.

Website visitors can easily chat about your products, ask quick questions about pricing, and clear any doubts they might have – all with a few simple messages. This accessible and familiar communication leads to happy customers and more sales for you!

Builds Trust and Loyalty

Over 51% of consumers are likely to make another purchase from a business that provides live chat support. By providing real-time support and addressing customer concerns promptly, WhatsApp chat fosters trust and builds stronger relationships with your customers. This positive experience makes them more likely to return for future purchases. What’s a bigger measure of success than repeat customers?

Customers Want to Chat

People are accustomed to using chat apps like WhatsApp in their daily lives. By offering this familiar channel, you meet them where they’re comfortable, increasing the likelihood of engagement.

Convinced of the benefits? Great! Let’s move to the interesting part then,

How do you Create a WhatsApp Live Chat Widget for Your Website?

TimelinesAI allows you to create a “Click-to-Chat” Whatsapp button that you can place on your website.

1. Go to Timelines AI’s WhatsApp Live Chat Widget. Here, provide the phone number associated with your Whatsapp account that you want to use for customer communication.

2. Customize your Whatsapp button. You can-

Choose between two different Widget button styles- Standard or Extended.
Edit your Call to Action text such as “Chat with Us” or “Start Conversation.”
Add your company name and a short tagline to reinforce your brand identity within the chat widget.
Craft a pre-written message that automatically displays in the chat window when a conversation starts. This can be a greeting or a prompt to encourage visitors to ask a question.
Select the ideal size for your button to ensure it’s visually appealing and easy to click. You can also choose where to place the button on your website for optimal visibility.

You can also write a pre-filled WhatsApp Message. Create a message template that automatically populates in the chat window when a visitor clicks the button. This can be a specific question you’d like them to ask or a starting point for the conversation.

3. Once you’ve finished customizing your button, TimelinesAI will provide you with a code snippet. You can then:

Share this code with your web developer so they can integrate it into your website.
If you’re tech-savvy and comfortable with website coding, you can insert the code yourself before the closing </footer> tag in your website’s HTML.

Once you’ve added the WhatsApp button to your website, ensure it works correctly. Visit your website and press the button. Check if it takes you to a WhatsApp chat window with the phone number you set up. (If yes, then well done!)

However, that’s not the only way to get WhatsApp working for you. Keep reading and find out a few more ways.

What are the Other Ways to Integrate WhatsApp into Your Website?

There are two other methods you can use to add the WhatsApp Chat button to your website.

Click to WhatsApp Chat Links

The click-to-chat feature, which uses WhatsApp’s API, allows users to directly start a WhatsApp conversation by clicking a link. They don’t have to save your phone number in their contacts (yes, they will appreciate this). Here’s how you do it-

Use the URL format https://wa.me/<number>, replacing <number> with your full phone number in international format.
Incorporate this link into your website in various ways. It can be added to a clickable image, a call-to-action button like “WhatsApp Us Now,” or directly linked to text such as your displayed phone number.

Visit this website for more details.

The QR Code Solution

QR codes are scannable barcodes that link to a website or, in this case, open a WhatsApp chat.

Reaching your business on WhatsApp the old way would involve searching for your number, saving your contact, searching for the newly saved contact, and then starting the chat. This process doesn’t take much time, but easier alternatives are always welcome. One such option is QR Codes.

Once you have the click-to-chat link, you can use a QR code generator website to convert it into a QR code. Integrate the generated QR code into your website’s design. Strategically place it on relevant pages, such as your contact information or product pages.

You can also include QR codes in printed marketing materials like flyers, brochures, or business cards.

Alright, you’ve set it up. Now, let’s talk about making it work smarter, not harder.

Automating Your WhatsApp Chat

Adding a WhatsApp chat option to your website is a great way to connect with visitors, but what if you could make things even better? Automation is the key! Let’s find out some ways you can do that-

1. Quick Replies

Remember those repetitive questions that pop up all the time? How can I track my order? Do you offer returns or exchanges? What are your payment methods? WhatsApp Business allows you to create “Quick Replies” – message shortcuts you can insert with a tap. This saves you time and ensures consistent responses to those repetitive questions.

2. Auto-Replies

Sometimes, a customer could reach out on WhatsApp after business hours or while you’re catching some well-deserved rest. Auto-replies can handle communication when you’re unavailable. Here are the types of auto-replies you can set up:

Greeting Message: Send a welcome message when someone initiates a chat.

Away Message: Inform users you’re unavailable during specific times (e.g., outside business hours).

3. Chatbots

For more complex scenarios, chatbots can come to the rescue. These AI-powered tools can handle basic inquiries, troubleshoot common issues, and even collect information from users. Here’s how to use chatbots effectively:

Start Simple: Begin with basic chatbots that answer FAQs or direct users to helpful resources on your website.

Focus on User Experience: Ensure the chatbot experience is user-friendly and guides users towards solutions efficiently.

Offer Live Chat Option: Provide an option for users to connect with a human representative if the chatbot cannot resolve their issue.

4. Message Rules

For advanced automation, consider setting up message rules. This allows you to filter incoming chats based on keywords or criteria and assign them to specific departments or trigger automated responses. Let’s say a customer messages “order status,” the rule can automatically send them their order tracking information.

Incorporating these automation tools can create an efficient WhatsApp chat experience. This will improve customer satisfaction and streamline communication within your team.

To further automate your WhatsApp chat functionalities and provide round-the-clock support, consider using TimelinesAI. Our automated greeting messages and ChatGPT-powered autoresponders can handle inquiries even when your team is offline. This will ensure a continuous and engaging customer experience.

As we turn the corner, let’s talk about some of the practical, real-world applications of having a WhatsApp widget right on your website.

Use Cases for a WhatsApp Widget on Your Website

Adding a WhatsApp chat widget to your website can be a powerful tool for boosting customer engagement, sales, and overall satisfaction. Here are some key use cases to consider:

Customer Support: Offer real-time, personalized support directly through a familiar platform like WhatsApp. Customers can easily reach out with questions, troubleshoot issues, or get clarifications about your products or services.

Lead Generation: Capture valuable leads by allowing visitors to easily initiate a conversation. The widget can pre-populate basic information (like phone numbers) and make it easier for them to connect with your team.

Marketing: While shopping online, customers can’t interact with products directly. Live chat through a WhatsApp chat widget could help them. Your team could chat with them, gather insights, suggest items, and provide immediate product clarifications as and when needed.

Appointment Booking: Offer a seamless way for customers to schedule appointments directly through WhatsApp. This eliminates the need for phone calls or form submissions.

TimelinesAI’s shared inbox feature can enhance these use cases by allowing your team to manage and respond to WhatsApp messages efficiently, ensuring your customers always have access to the help they need.

Do you need a WhatsApp Business Account?

A WhatsApp Business account offers additional features compared to a standard WhatsApp account, making it ideal for website integration. These features include a business profile, automated greeting messages, and message labels for better organization. So yeah, you should go for a WhatsApp Business Account.

Before we wrap up, here’s a statistic that could help drive our point home. A substantial 79% of companies report that implementing live chat has beneficially impacted their sales, revenue, and customer loyalty.

Заключение

In conclusion, integrating a WhatsApp chat button on your website is more than just a trend; it’s a strategic move toward enhancing customer interaction and improving the online presence of your business.

Integrating WhatsApp into your website ensures that your business is accessible and responsive to customer needs at all times. Moreover, automating your WhatsApp chat with quick replies, auto-replies, chatbots, and message rules can significantly enhance the efficiency of customer service and lead generation.

You can integrate WhatsApp into your website with the help of TimelinesAI. Get started today and let TimelinesAI help you deliver the exceptional customer service that your customers deserve!