Summary
Want to automatically send WhatsApp messages using Zapier? If you’re using Wati with an approved WhatsApp Business API account, you can connect it to Zapier using Webhooks.
This guide explains the exact steps to set up the integration so you can automate messages for use cases such as notifying new leads, confirming orders, sending updates, and more.
Instructions
What you’ll need
Before getting started, make sure you have the following:
A Zapier account
A Wati account with WhatsApp API access
Your Wati API endpoint and Bearer token
💡 Note: To use the WhatsApp Business API, you must be approved through a provider like Wati.
How to set up WhatsApp messaging with Zapier webhooks
Follow these steps to start sending WhatsApp messages with Zapier webhooks:
Step 1: Create a New Zap
Log in to your Zapier account.
Go to your Zaps page and click Create Zap.
Step 2: Choose your Trigger
Select the trigger app (e.g., Google Sheets, Typeform, Shopify).
Choose the event that will trigger the WhatsApp message (e.g., new row added, form submitted, new order placed).
Step 3: Add webhooks by Zapier as the Action
Under the Do this section, search for Webhooks by Zapier.
Select it and click Continue.
Step 4: Set Action Event to POST
Choose the POST method as your Action Event.
Click Continue.
Step 5: Customize the Webhook request
You’ll now set up the details of the POST request that will send the WhatsApp message.
URL: Get this from the API Docs section in your Wati account. Format the URL like this:
https://your_wati_api_url/api/v1/sendTemplateMessage/{{phone_number_with_country_code}}
Payload Type:
jsonData: Add the following keys and values:
{
"template_name": "your_template_name",
"broadcast_name": "your_broadcast_name",
"parameters": [
{
"name": "1",
"value": "Example Parameter"
}
]
}Replace the parameters values with actual values based on your WhatsApp template configuration.
Please make sure the number of values sent from Zapier matches the number of variables defined in your WhatsApp template.
For example:
If the template contains 4 variables
You should pass 4 values from Zapier
If there's a mismatch then Wati may fail to send a message.
Additionally, ensure you use the exact same variable names as defined in the template.
Variable names are case-sensitive and must match exactly. If the names or count do not align, the template message will not be sent successfully.
Step 6: Add Authorization Header
In the Headers section, add the following:
Key: Authorization
Value: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
You can find your Bearer token in your Wati account under API Docs.
Step 7: Test and Turn On Your Zap
Click Test & Continue to verify your setup.
Once the test succeeds, click Publish Zap to activate it.
Your automated WhatsApp message will now be sent every time your chosen trigger runs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Overview and Requirements
1. Can I send WhatsApp messages automatically using Zapier and Wati?
Yes. If you have an approved WhatsApp Business API account through Wati, you can connect Wati to Zapier using Webhooks to automate WhatsApp messages.
2. What do I need before setting up the Zapier integration?
You need a Zapier account, a Wati account with WhatsApp API access, and your Wati API endpoint and Bearer token.
3. Is WhatsApp Business API approval required?
Yes. To use the WhatsApp Business API, your account must be approved through a provider such as Wati.
Setting Up the Zap
4. How do I start creating the automation in Zapier?
Log in to your Zapier account, go to the Zaps page, and click Create Zap to begin building the workflow.
5. How do I choose the trigger for sending a WhatsApp message?
Select the trigger app, such as Google Sheets, Typeform, or Shopify, and choose the specific event that should send the WhatsApp message, such as a new row added or a new order placed.
6. What action should I select in Zapier to send the WhatsApp message?
In the Do this section, search for Webhooks by Zapier, select it, and set the Action Event to POST.
Webhook Configuration
7. What URL format should I use for the webhook request?
Use the API endpoint from the API Docs section in your Wati account and format it as:
https://your_wati_api_url/api/v1/sendTemplateMessage/{{phone_number_with_country_code}}
8. What payload type and data format should be used?
Set the Payload Type to JSON and include keys such as template_name, broadcast_name, and parameters. The parameters section must contain the variable names and values required by your WhatsApp template.
9. What happens if the number of parameters does not match the template?
If the number of values sent from Zapier does not match the number of variables defined in your WhatsApp template, Wati may fail to send the message.
10. Do variable names need to match the WhatsApp template exactly?
Yes. Variable names are case-sensitive and must match exactly with the names defined in the WhatsApp template. If the names or count do not align, the template message will not be sent successfully.
11. How do I add authorization to the webhook request?
In the Headers section of the webhook setup, add the key Authorization and set the value to Bearer YOUR_API_KEY. The Bearer token can be found in the API Docs section of your Wati account.
Testing and Activation
12. How do I finalize and activate the Zap?
Click Test & Continue to verify the setup. If the test succeeds, click Publish Zap. The automated WhatsApp message will then be sent each time the selected trigger event occurs.