How do I add WhatsApp to my website HTML?

Adding WhatsApp functionality to your website allows visitors to easily contact you through the messaging app. This can be a great way to provide customer support, answer questions, generate leads, and more. Integrating WhatsApp into your website HTML is actually quite simple with just a few lines of code.

What are the benefits of adding WhatsApp to my website?

Here are some of the key benefits of adding WhatsApp messaging to your website:

• Provides an easy way for visitors to contact you directly through a messaging app they likely already use and are familiar with
• Allows you to respond to customer inquiries and provide support quickly through messaging
• Can help generate more leads by making it easy for visitors to reach out with questions or interest
• Lets you provide an alternate contact method beyond phone calls or email
• Gives you metrics on how many visitors are contacting you through WhatsApp
• Creates a more seamless omnichannel experience by integrating messaging with your website

Overall, adding WhatsApp messaging can help improve customer experience and make it more convenient for visitors to get in touch. The direct messaging also allows for more personal and engaging conversations.

How does WhatsApp work on websites?

WhatsApp has a business API that allows companies to integrate WhatsApp messaging into their own apps and services. For websites, there are a couple main ways WhatsApp can be added:

• WhatsApp click-to-chat plugin – This installs a chat button that opens a pre-filled WhatsApp message to your business phone number when clicked.
• Custom WhatsApp chat integration – This embeds a custom WhatsApp chat window that lets visitors message your business number directly from your site.

In both options, the messaging happens through WhatsApp native app interface using your business number, even though it’s initiated on your website.

Step 1 – Get a WhatsApp Business Number

To use WhatsApp on your website, the first step is to get a WhatsApp Business Number. This provides you with a dedicated business number that visitors will message when contacting you through WhatsApp.

To get a WhatsApp Business Number:

1. Download the WhatsApp Business app on your phone. It’s available for both iOS and Android.
2. Open the WhatsApp Business app and follow the prompts to register your business and get a business number.
3. Verify the number through SMS or call confirmation.

Once you have your WhatsApp Business Number, you can integrate it with your website using the WhatsApp Business API.

Step 2 – Get a WhatsApp Business API Account

To actually integrate WhatsApp into your website and use the Business Number you registered, you need to create a WhatsApp Business API account.

Here is how to get set up with the API:

1. Go to WhatsApp Business API signup and select ‘Get Started’.
2. Enter your email address and agree to the Terms of Service.
3. Verify your email address by clicking the confirmation link sent to your inbox.
4. Provide information about your business and business use cases for WhatsApp.
5. Add your phone number registered to your Business account.
6. WhatsApp will review your request and email you when approved.

Once approved, you can integrate your WhatsApp Business Number and account using the API.

Step 3 – Choose a WhatsApp Integration Method

With your Business Number and API account ready, you next need to decide which integration method you want to use for your website:

1. WhatsApp Click-to-Chat Plugin

This option adds a chat icon that opens a pre-filled WhatsApp message to your business number. It provides a simple way to start a WhatsApp chat without an embedded chat window.

2. Custom Chat Widget Integration

For a more seamless experience, you can integrate a custom WhatsApp chat window using the WhatsApp Business API. This allows visitors to message you right from your website.

The custom integration requires web development work but allows for deeper integration and customization. Most websites choose this option if they want an embedded chat feature.

Step 4 – Add the WhatsApp Click-to-Chat Plugin

If you choose the click-to-chat plugin, WhatsApp provides embed code that you simply need to add to your site. Here is how to install it:

1. Log in to your WhatsApp Business API account.
2. Navigate to the Click-to-Chat section.
3. Choose your business phone number.
4. Customize the chat message if desired.
5. Copy the embed code for your website’s platform (HTML, WordPress, etc).
6. Paste the code on your web page where you want the plugin to appear.
7. The chat icon should now appear on your site!

When visitors click the icon, it will open WhatsApp and pre-fill a message to your business number so they can easily start chatting.

Step 5 – Develop a Custom WhatsApp Chat Widget

To build a custom WhatsApp chat window for your site, you will need web development resources and expertise to use the WhatsApp Business API. Here are the key steps:

1. Get your WhatsApp Business API credentials from your account.
2. Choose a UI library to build your chat widget UI.
3. Implement the JS backend logic to connect the chat widget to WhatsApp API.
4. Handle events like sending/receiving messages using the API.
5. Add user interface elements like chat history, send message, etc.
6. Use CSS to style the appearance of the chat window.
7. Deploy the chat widget code to your website.
8. Test the integration thoroughly.
9. Consider adding notifications, visitor tracking, and other features.

Developing a custom WhatsApp chat integration requires expertise working with JavaScript, web APIs, and UI frameworks. There are also services that provide pre-built embeddable WhatsApp chat widgets to simplify integration.

Step 6 – Add the WhatsApp Chat Widget to Your Site

Once your WhatsApp chat widget is developed, adding it to your website HTML is easy. Here are the general steps:

1. Upload the JavaScript, CSS, image assets and HTML chat widget code to your website files.
2. Link the CSS and JavaScript files in your website section.
3. Paste the HTML and embed code on the pages you want the chat to appear.
4. Configure any options like your WhatsApp business number.
5. Test that the chat appears and functions correctly on your site.
6. Consider adding multiple instances of the chat widget on different pages.

With those steps done, your custom WhatsApp chat should be fully integrated into your website HTML and work seamlessly for your visitors!

Step 7 – Promote the WhatsApp Integration

Now that WhatsApp is integrated into your website, you need to promote it so visitors know it’s available. Here are some tips:

• Place the click-to-chat icon or chat box prominently on key pages.
• Add text near the chat to explain what it is for.
• Highlight the WhatsApp integration in your website copy and menus.
• Create a dedicated FAQ or contact page explaining the WhatsApp option.
• Train customer service staff to mention WhatsApp as a contact method.
• Add a WhatsApp link to your email signatures and marketing campaigns.
• Run social media and advertising promotions showcasing the WhatsApp integration.

Properly promoting your new WhatsApp integration will drive more visitors to use it to message you.

Conclusion

Adding WhatsApp messaging to your website is easy and provides a convenient new contact method for visitors. With a WhatsApp Business Number and API account, you can install a click-to-chat plugin or integrate a custom chat widget using HTML and JavaScript. Be sure to promote the WhatsApp integration so visitors know it’s available to help improve customer experience.