Summary
WhatsApp Flows feature allows you to create simple, input-based forms for various use cases like lead generation, surveys, and feedback collection directly within WhatsApp. This article will guide you through creating and using WhatsApp Flows in Wati, from initial setup to collecting user data.
Instructions
Understanding WhatsApp Flows
WhatsApp Flows feature enables you to design interactive forms that users can fill out without leaving the WhatsApp chat. For instance, a customer service feedback form can be presented when a user clicks a "Contact Us" button. This opens a form within WhatsApp where users can enter their information and submit it.
Note: Wati Pro and Business plan customers can create customized input-based forms using a drag-and-drop builder available on the Wati platform.
Prerequisites for using WhatsApp Flows
To use WhatsApp Flows, you need to meet Meta's requirements:
Verified Business Portfolio
2000 messaging limit
High-Quality Ratings
Tip: Meta no longer requires display name approval to use WhatsApp Flows. However, you still need a messaging limit of 2,000. If your messaging limit is 2,000 or higher, you can submit and use WhatsApp Flows.
How to create a WhatsApp Flow in Wati
1. Navigate to WhatsApp Flows:
Log into your Wati account.
Go to the Automation > WhatsApp Flows.
2. Start creating a Flow:
Click the Continue button on the intro screen.
You'll see a page with two predefined templates: Lead Generation and Feedback Form.
You can edit these templates, create a new flow from scratch, or duplicate a template to create a new flow.
3. Customize your form:
Select a template to access the drag-and-drop builder.
Customize the form according to your specific needs.
4. Save or Publish your Flow:
Once you've customized the form, you can save it as a draft or click the Publish button to create the new flow.
Note:
Published flows cannot be edited. Flows saved as drafts can be edited later and published.
Send WhatsApp Flows through template messages and campaigns
You can attach a published flow to a template message and distribute it through:
Campaigns
Template API
To add a flow to a template:
Select a published flow.
Customize the button text.
Save and submit the template.
Customers can open and complete the flow directly from the template message.
Build flows with dropdown fields
Flow Builder supports dropdown fields, making it easier to collect structured responses.
Dropdown fields support:
Up to 200 options
Single-select responses
Optional required field settings
Build flows with multiple screens
You can create multi-step flows by adding multiple screens.
With multiple screens, you can:
Add additional screens to a flow
Reorder screens
Delete screens that are no longer needed
This helps you create more detailed forms and guide customers through longer workflows.
Using a WhatsApp Flow in a chatbot conversation
1. Access the Chatbot builder: Open the Chatbot Builder in Wati.
2. Add a WhatsApp Flow node: Add a WhatsApp Flow node to your chatbot conversation flow.
3. Configure the Flow node:
Select the created flow from the dropdown menu.
Set up the header, body, and button text for the message.
Collecting data from WhatsApp Flow
Wati provides custom attributes to collect the values entered by users in the WhatsApp Flow form:
Flow-specific custom attribute: When you create a flow, a custom attribute is automatically generated with the flow name as a prefix. For example, if your flow is named "Leadgen," the custom attribute will be "Leadgen_content." This attribute contains all the data entered in the flow in JSON format.
Field-specific custom attributes: Each field in the Flow form also has its own custom attribute, containing the value entered in that specific field.
You can view these custom attributes in the following locations:
Team Inbox: In the custom parameter area.
Chatbot Builder: In the WhatsApp Flow node section.
Date picker in WhatsApp Flows
Managing bookings, appointments, or follow-ups often means collecting exact dates from customers. The Date Picker in WhatsApp Flows makes this simple by allowing businesses to capture date inputs directly within automated flows. This helps streamline scheduling, confirmations, and any process that requires date-specific information.
Key benefits
Simplifies scheduling: Collect dates in a clear, structured way.
Automates workflows: Use date inputs for bookings, confirmations, or follow-ups.
Plan availability: Date picker in WhatsApp Flows is available for Pro and Business Plan users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
WhatsApp Flows Overview
1. What are WhatsApp Flows?
WhatsApp Flows are interactive, input-based forms that customers can complete directly within a WhatsApp chat without leaving the conversation. They can be used for use cases such as lead generation, surveys, feedback collection, bookings, appointments, and follow-ups.
2. What are the requirements for using WhatsApp Flows in Wati?
To use WhatsApp Flows, a business must have a verified Business Portfolio, a messaging limit of at least 2,000, and High-Quality Ratings. Meta no longer requires display name approval for WhatsApp Flows.
3. Which Wati plans support WhatsApp Flows?
Pro and Business plan customers can create customized input-based WhatsApp Flows using Wati's drag-and-drop builder. The Date Picker in WhatsApp Flows is also available to Pro and Business plan users.
Building and Sending WhatsApp Flows
4. Can published WhatsApp Flows be edited?
No. Published WhatsApp Flows cannot be edited. A flow saved as a draft can be edited later and then published.
5. How can I send a published WhatsApp Flow to customers?
A published WhatsApp Flow can be attached to a template message and distributed through campaigns or the Template API. A published flow can also be added to a chatbot conversation using a WhatsApp Flow node.
6. What types of fields and screens can I add to a WhatsApp Flow?
WhatsApp Flows support dropdown fields with up to 200 options and single-select responses. Dropdown fields can also be configured as required fields. You can create multi-step flows by adding multiple screens, reordering screens, and deleting screens.
WhatsApp Flow Data
7. How does Wati store data collected through a WhatsApp Flow?
Wati automatically creates custom attributes for data collected through a WhatsApp Flow. Each flow has a flow-specific custom attribute that contains all submitted form data in JSON format, and each form field has a separate custom attribute containing the value entered in that field.
8. Where can I access data collected through a WhatsApp Flow?
WhatsApp Flow custom attributes can be accessed in the custom parameter area of the Team Inbox and in the WhatsApp Flow node section of the Chatbot Builder.
Date Picker
9. What can the Date Picker in WhatsApp Flows be used for?
The Date Picker allows businesses to collect date inputs directly within WhatsApp Flows. It can be used for processes such as bookings, appointments, confirmations, and follow-ups that require customers to provide a specific date.