Sending a message on WhatsApp is easy with the built-in WhatsApp button. This handy feature allows you to open a WhatsApp chat with someone directly from your website or application. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to add a WhatsApp button and send messages using it.
What is the WhatsApp Button?
The WhatsApp button is a special link that opens a WhatsApp chat window when clicked. It looks like a standard WhatsApp chat icon and text that says “Send Message.” Adding this button to your site allows visitors to easily message you on WhatsApp without having to manually open the app and search for your number.
Some key things to know about the WhatsApp button:
- It’s customizable – you can change the icon, color, and text
- Dynamic – the number it messages can change based on your needs
- Easy to implement – requires just a few lines of code
- Mobile friendly – works great on desktop or mobile
Overall, the WhatsApp button makes it seamless for visitors to reach out to you. It helps remove friction from the initial messaging process.
How to Get a WhatsApp Button
To get a WhatsApp button, you first need to create one through the WhatsApp Business API. Here are the steps:
- Sign up for a WhatsApp Business API account at https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api
- Verify your business phone number on WhatsApp
- Choose the “Templates” option in the left sidebar
- Click “Add Template” and select the “Button” template
- Give your button a name and edit the text as needed
- Click “Create”
This generates a unique WhatsApp button that’s tied to your business number. You can reuse this on any website by copying the embed code.
How to Install the WhatsApp Button
Once you have a WhatsApp button from the API, installing it is simple. Just add the embed code on your page wherever you want the button to appear. Here are the steps:
- Copy the embed code from the Button template dashboard
- Paste the code where you want the button on your site (before )
- Make sure the code is visible and not hidden in the page source
- Preview your page to test the button
For example, your embed code may look like:
<script type="text/javascript">
(function() {
var wa = document.createElement('script');
wa.type = 'text/javascript';
wa.async = true;
wa.src = 'https://web.whatsapp.com/send?phone=1234567890&text=Hello';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(wa, s);
})();
</script>
This small snippet loads the WhatsApp API and creates the button dynamically.
Customizing the WhatsApp Button
You can customize the WhatsApp button using parameters in the embed code:
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| phone | Your WhatsApp business number |
| text | Prefilled message text |
| style | Button color (light or dark) |
| size | Button size (standard, large, medium) |
For example, to make a large pink button with “Hi there!” prefilled, you would add:
&phone=1234567890 &text=Hi there! &style=color:deeppink &size=large
Take some time to tweak the button until it matches your branding and needs.
Sending WhatsApp Messages with the Button
Once installed, using the WhatsApp button to send messages is easy. Here is what happens when a visitor clicks it:
- Button opens chat window with your prefilled message
- Visitor can send you additional messages
- You receive messages and can respond in WhatsApp
- Ongoing conversation remains in WhatsApp
So the key steps are:
- Visitor clicks button
- Visitor sends messages
- You respond in WhatsApp
Some tips for using the button effectively:
- Be sure your WhatsApp business profile has a profile pic and description
- Prompt visitors to message you with contextual text near the button
- Set up WhatsApp notifications so you don’t miss incoming messages
- Respond promptly to establish a conversation with visitors
With some optimization, you can turn your WhatsApp button into an effective communication channel for your business.
Use Cases for the WhatsApp Button
Here are some popular use cases for adding a WhatsApp button on your website:
Customer Support
Allow customers to message your support team directly about any issues through WhatsApp.
Sales Inquiries
Let potential customers inquire about products, pricing, and sales through WhatsApp messages.
Appointment Booking
Have customers book appointments or reservations by messaging your business.
Lead Generation
Capture visitor details by encouraging them to message you through a customized button.
FAQ Answers
Provide immediate answers to frequently asked questions by prompting visitors to message you first.
Get creative with use cases that make sense for your business. The more contextual you can make the messaging experience, the better results you’ll see.
WhatsApp Button Best Practices
Here are some best practices to optimize your WhatsApp button:
- Place it prominently on high-traffic pages like your homepage, contact page, product pages, etc.
- Make the text descriptive like “Message us for support!” vs just “Send message.”
- Use a bright color and large size to make it stand out.
- Match the button style to your overall site design.
- Test it across desktop and mobile to ensure functionality.
- Monitor chat volume and response times to improve over time.
- Segment your audience when possible to personalize messaging.
- Avoid spamming visitors – let them message you first.
Optimizing your WhatsApp button improves results while providing a better user experience.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Button Issues
If your WhatsApp button isn’t working correctly, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure your business phone number is verified on WhatsApp.
- Confirm the button embed code is on every page you want it to appear.
- Check for typos in the embed code, especially in the phone number parameter.
- Try a different browser if the button isn’t appearing.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Make sure visitors don’t have an ad blocker or script blocker enabled.
- If the button redirects to WhatsApp Web, ask visitors to refresh and try on mobile.
For additional help, reach out to the WhatsApp Business API support team. Having a properly functioning WhatsApp button is key for providing the best messaging experience.
Conclusion
Adding a WhatsApp button to your website makes it easy for visitors to message you and get quick answers to questions. With just a few lines of code, you can install a customized button that engages your audience and provides better customer service.
Be sure to follow WhatsApp button best practices around design, placement, and messaging workflows. With some optimization, you can turn casual visitors into loyal customers by providing an instant, conversational messaging channel.
Now that you know how to add a WhatsApp button and use it effectively, you can take your business messaging strategy to the next level!