WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps with over 2 billion users worldwide. Integrating a WhatsApp chat button into your website allows visitors to easily get in touch with you via WhatsApp with just a click. This improves engagement and provides a seamless customer experience.
Adding a WhatsApp chat button in HTML is quite simple. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of adding a WhatsApp chat button on your website using HTML.
Benefits of Adding WhatsApp Chat Button
Here are some of the key benefits of adding a WhatsApp chat button on your website:
- Allows instant communication with visitors
- Increases engagement and interactivity
- Provides better customer support
- Boosts lead generation
- Cost-effective compared to traditional call centers
- Seamless omnichannel experience for customers
By adding a WhatsApp chat button, you make it extremely convenient for visitors to get in touch with you. This improves communication, boosts conversions, and provides better customer experience.
HTML Code for WhatsApp Chat Button
Here is the HTML code to add a WhatsApp chat button:
<a href="https://wa.me/YOURNUMBER" target="_blank"> <img src="whatsapp-icon.png" alt="WhatsApp Button"/> </a>
Let’s break this down:
- The <a> tag creates a hyperlink
- href points to a WhatsApp API URL with your phone number
- target=”_blank” opens the chat in a new tab
- The image source points to a WhatsApp icon file
- Include alt text for accessibility
So by adding this small code snippet, you can integrate a WhatsApp chat button in HTML.
Step 1: Get a WhatsApp Number
The first step is to get a WhatsApp number that you want to use for business communication. You have two options:
- Use your existing personal WhatsApp number
- Get a new dedicated business number
Using your personal number is easier to set up. But for privacy reasons, it’s better to get a separate business number.
A dedicated business number helps segment professional and personal communication. You can get a new WhatsApp number by requesting for one through the WhatsApp Business API.
Benefits of a Dedicated Business Number
- Separates personal and professional communication
- Appears more professional to customers
- Lets you assign roles like sales, support etc.
- Provides analytics on business conversations
- Business tools like quick replies, away messages
Once you have your WhatsApp business number, make a note of it as you will need it in the next step.
Step 2: Create WhatsApp URL
Now you need to create a WhatsApp URL using your phone number. This URL will be used in the HTML code.
The WhatsApp API URL format is:
https://wa.me/countrycodephonenumber
For example, if your WhatsApp number is 5551234567, the URL will be:
https://wa.me/15551234567
Here country code is 1 and phone number is 5551234567. This URL will open the chat window for this number when clicked.
WhatsApp URL Parameters
You can also add URL parameters for prefilled messages:
https://wa.me/15551234567?text=I%20have%20a%20query
This will open the chat with the message “I have a query”.
Some other parameters you can use are:
- text – Prefilled message text
- phone – Recipient number to prefill
- name – Contact name
Using appropriate parameters allows you to customize the chat window for better conversion.
Step 3: Add WhatsApp Image or Icon
To make the chat button intuitive, you need to add a WhatsApp icon or image next to it. When the user clicks this image, the chat window will open.
You can use any of these image options:
- Standard WhatsApp logo icon
- Custom graphic/icon
- Text saying “WhatsApp Us”
- Chat or message icon
Make sure the image file is in PNG, JPG or GIF format. For best quality, use a PNG file with transparent background.
The image should be recognizable as related to WhatsApp. Using the standard WhatsApp logo is the easiest option. For custom images, opt for simple chat/message graphics.
Image Dimensions
The ideal image dimensions are:
- Width: 35-50 pixels
- Height: 35-50 pixels
This results in a compact WhatsApp icon that looks great on all screens.
Image File Size
Keep the image file size small, under 5-10 KB. Large files can slow down page load speed.
Use online compression tools like TinyPNG to optimize your WhatsApp image if needed.
Step 4: Add HTML Link Code
Now you can add the complete HTML code with the WhatsApp URL and image:
<a href="https://wa.me/15551234567" target="_blank"> <img src="whatsapp-icon.png" alt="WhatsApp Button"/> </a>
Replace the number with your own WhatsApp business number. And include the proper image file name.
Some things to note:
- Use target=”_blank” so chat opens in new tab
- Add descriptive alt text for accessibility
- Use PNG image for best quality
This code creates a nicely styled WhatsApp chat button when added to your website HTML.
Button Styling
You can also style the button using CSS:
a[href^="https://wa.me"] {
display: inline-block;
padding: 10px 15px;
background: #25D366;
color: #fff;
border-radius: 4px;
}
This makes the chat button look more prominent on the page.
Step 5: Place Button in Header/Footer
Now you need to strategically place the WhatsApp button HTML code on your web pages.
It’s best to add the button in the header or footer sections. This way it remains visible across all pages.
Header Placement
Adding it in the header alongside your brand logo ensures high visibility. For example:
<header>
<img src="logo.png" />
<a href="https://wa.me/15551234567">
<img src="whatsapp-icon.png">
</a>
</header>
Footer Placement
The footer is also commonly used for chat buttons. This keeps it out of the content area:
<footer>
Copyright 2022 MyCompany
<a href="https://wa.me/15551234567">
<img src="whatsapp-icon.png">
</a>
</footer>
Place it next to other social media buttons in the footer for consistency.
Multiple Buttons
You can also add WhatsApp buttons in both header and footer. Or have multiple buttons on the same page.
For example, one in the fixed header and another in a floating sidebar or widget.
Step 6: Link Button to Key Pages
Don’t just add the WhatsApp button to your homepage. Add it to other key pages that customers visit:
- Product pages
- Contact/About Us page
- Pricing/Plans page
- Blog/Resources pages
Having the chat button handy on pages where users need help or are ready to buy is crucial.
You can include the same HTML code on multiple pages. Or create a reusable component for consistency.
Dynamic Number Link
For unique numbers per page, modify the HTML code:
<a href="https://wa.me/NUMBER" target="_blank"> <img src="whatsapp-icon.png" /> </a>
Replace NUMBER dynamically using JS/PHP as per the page.
Step 7: Set Up WhatsApp Business
To provide the best customer experience over WhatsApp, you need to configure some business settings.
Sign up for a WhatsApp Business API account if you don’t have one. Then set up the following for seamless conversations:
- Business Profile – Add business description, email, address etc.
- Quick Replies – Set up automated quick reply answers for common questions
- Auto Messages – Create greeting, away and thank you auto-responses
- Labels – Organize chats by labels like sales, support etc.
With these tools, you can streamline WhatsApp conversations and provide quick answers to customers.
Customer Service Tips
To offer the best customer service over WhatsApp chat, follow these tips:
- Set up chat forwarding to quickly respond from any device
- Add support agents for 24/7 availability
- Use quick replies for common questions
- Monitor and organize chats with labels
- Send proactive messages to guide customers
- Be polite and friendly in your replies
With great chat support, you can boost customer satisfaction and sales through WhatsApp.
Step 8: Promote the WhatsApp Button
Creating the WhatsApp button alone is not enough. You need to actively promote it to encourage visitors to use it.
Here are some effective ways to promote your WhatsApp button and increase engagement:
- Add a popup or banner announcing WhatsApp support
- Send emails and social media posts highlighting WhatsApp for customer support
- Add a note about WhatsApp on contact and support pages
- Create blog posts on how customers can use WhatsApp to get help
- Train support staff to educate customers on WhatsApp chat
- Offer an incentive for customers to contact you on WhatsApp
Actively driving awareness about your WhatsApp chat support will get more people to use it.
WhatsApp Widget
You can also add a WhatsApp widget to your website. This plugin shows a popup with the chat button:
<script> WhatsAppWidget.desktop() </script>
Visitors can then easily start chatting without having to scroll and find your button.
Step 9: Track Performance
The final step is to measure the effectiveness of your WhatsApp chat button. This helps improve and optimize the customer experience.
Here are some key metrics to track for the WhatsApp button:
- Button click-through rate
- Chats initiated
- Chat reply time
- Chat resolution rate
- Number of issues resolved
- Conversion rate from chats
Based on these metrics, you can identify gaps and make improvements. For example, train agents to respond faster or add more quick replies.
Optimizing based on data leads to more customer satisfaction and sales from WhatsApp chats.
Analytics Tools
Use tools like Google Analytics and WhatsApp Business Manager to track key metrics. Link your WhatsApp account in Google Analytics to monitor button clicks and conversions.
With the right analytics, you can fine-tune your WhatsApp chat support for maximum effectiveness.
Conclusion
Adding a WhatsApp chat button in HTML provides many benefits for customer engagement and support. Follow the steps outlined to easily integrate it into your website.
Strategically placing the button on key pages and promoting it well will drive more chats. With excellent chat support, you can boost customer satisfaction and business growth.
Measure analytics to identify areas of improvement and optimize the experience. Implementing WhatsApp messaging can give your business an edge over competitors.
So leverage the popularity of WhatsApp by adding a chat button on your website today using this HTML code guide.