How to Send Automated WhatsApp Message on WP form Submission

In today's era, effective communication is crucial for building strong customer relationships. Automating responses saves time and ensures prompt attention, making customers feel valued. If your website uses WP Forms for inquiries, feedback, or registrations, integrating automated WhatsApp messaging offers a powerful way to streamline communication.

This blog post will show you how to set up automated WhatsApp messages triggered by WP Form submissions. Whether you want to send thank-you notes, confirmations, or follow-up information, this integration enhances user experience and boosts customer engagement. We'll guide you through the simple setup process, after which it will run automatically.

Step 1: (Install WP form Webhook Add-on)

To integrate webhooks with WPForms, you'll need the pro version of the WPForms plugin and the Webhooks Addon.

1. From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to WPForms > Addons. This will display a list of available WPForms addons.
2. Locate the Webhooks Addon, install it, and then activate it.

Step 2: Create a Message Template

To send business messages on WhatsApp via Meta, you must use pre-approved Message Templates. Here's how to create and submit one using Sendwo:

1. Navigate to Message Templates: In the Sendwo dashboard, go to WhatsApp Bot Manager and select "Message Template."
2. Create a New Template: Click "Create" and choose "General Template."
3. Configure Template Details:
   • Give your template a descriptive name.
   • Select the appropriate locale (language and region).
   • Choose a category that best describes the message's purpose.
   • Select a header type (e.g., text, image, video).
4. Compose the Message Body: Write the content of your message.
5. Add Interactive Elements (Optional): You can include buttons such as "Call to Action" and "Quick Reply" to enhance user engagement.
6. Save and Sync: Save the template and close the window. Then, click the "Sync Template" button to submit it to Meta for approval. Once approved by Meta, the template will be available for use.

Step 3: Create Webhook Workflow campaign

Next, set up a webhook workflow:

1. From the Sendwo dashboard, navigate to Webhook Workflow and click "Create."
2. Name the workflow, select the relevant WhatsApp account, and choose the message template for this campaign.
3. Click "Create Workflow." This will generate a Webhook Callback URL. Copy this URL, as it will be needed in WPForms.

Do not close this window yet; the campaign setup is not complete.

Step 4: Create a WP form and add the Callback URL

In this step we will create a new WP form with a phone number field and add the copied URL in the webhook settings from the previous step.

1. Create a New WP Form: From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to WP Forms and select "Add New." Name your form, choose a template, and add a phone number field.
2. Configure Webhook Settings:
   • Go to the form's settings and select "Webhook." Enable webhooks.
   • In the "Requested URL" field, paste the callback URL copied in the previous step.
   • Set the "Request Method" to POST.
   • Under "Request Body," add parameters for the form fields. Start by selecting the name field and entering a corresponding parameter key (for reference).
   • Add three more request body parameters for email, phone number, and message body by clicking the "+" button for each.
3. Save the Form: Save the completed form.

Step 5: Send sample data and map the workflow

To set up the campaign, we need to send sample data to Sendwo's webhook and map it to the form. Here's how:

1. Fill out the WP form with sample data.
2. Go to Sendwo's webhook settings and click "Capture Webhook Response." This will capture the sample data you just entered.
3. In the Webhook response mapping section, map each field. For example, click on the phone number field and select the corresponding phone number from the captured raw data.
4. Repeat this mapping process for all variables used in your Message Template. Each variable must be mapped to its corresponding sample data.
5. Save the campaign.

That's it. Automating WhatsApp messages with WP Forms is a powerful way to improve customer communication and streamline your workflow. This guide shows you how to set up a system that sends personalized messages immediately after someone submits a form.

This saves time, improves the user experience, and shows customers you value their inquiries. Start using this integration today to build stronger customer relationships and effortlessly increase engagement.