Summary
The Sequence feature in WATI allows you to schedule messages to be sent in a predefined order, either immediately or after a set delay. This feature is available only in the Professional Plan and is useful for automating follow-ups and ensuring consistent communication with customers. This guide will walk you through:
Accessing the Sequence feature
Setting up a Sequence
Configuring time delays and scheduling options
Editing and managing Sequences
Triggering a Sequence using keywords
Instructions
Accessing the Sequence Feature
To access the Sequence feature:
Go to Automation > Sequence in your WATI dashboard.
You will see a list of existing sequences or an option to create a new one.
How to Set Up a Sequence
Follow these steps to create a Sequence:
Navigate to Automation > Sequence.
Click Add Sequence.
Enter a name for the Sequence and click Add.
Click the newly created Sequence to configure it.
Click Add Message to add a new message to the Sequence.
Choose an Action (the type of reply material to be sent). Supported options include:
Text
Documents
Images
Templates
Stickers
Videos
Set the Time Delay for when the message should be sent. Available options:
Minutes
Hours
Days
Example: If the first message has a 5-minute delay, it will be sent 5 minutes after the Sequence is triggered.
Configure the Time Range:
Select Any Time to allow messages to be sent at any time of the day.
Select Send Between and specify the time frame (e.g., 10:00 - 11:00). Messages will only be sent within this window.
Configure the Date Range:
Select Any Days to send messages on any day.
Choose specific days of the week (e.g., Monday, Wednesday) to control when messages are sent.
Click Save to finalize your Sequence.
Toggle the required messages on to activate them.
Example Scenario
If you set:
The first message to be sent 5 minutes after the Sequence is triggered.
The second message to be sent 3 hours later.
The time range to 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM and days to Monday - Friday. Then:
The first message will be sent 5 minutes after the trigger.
The second message will wait for 3 hours but will only send between 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM on a weekday.
Managing and Editing a Sequence
Editing a Sequence Name
Click the ✏️ Edit icon next to the Sequence name to rename it.
Editing a Message
Click the ✏️ Edit icon next to any action in the Sequence to modify it.
Deleting a Message
Click the 🗑️ Trash bin icon next to an action to remove it from the Sequence.
Important Updates
Deleting a Sequence: If you delete a Sequence, WATI will stop sending messages to contacts who were receiving scheduled messages from that Sequence.
Modifying a Schedule: If you change the timing of messages within a Sequence, WATI will stop sending messages to contacts who were following the old schedule—unless the new schedule overlaps with the old one.
Example: If you change "Send between 10 AM - 11 AM" to "Send between 10 AM - 12 PM," the scheduled messages will continue.
How to Trigger a Sequence
A Sequence acts as a type of reply material and must be linked to a keyword-based rule to be triggered automatically. This means you need to set up a rule that detects a specific keyword and defines the sequence to run as an action.
Steps to trigger a sequence using a rule:
Log in to your Wati account.
Navigate to Automations → Rules.
Click + Create Rule to set up a new keyword-based rule.
In the rule configuration, select Sequence under actions:
Under Action Type, select Start a Sequence.
From the dropdown menu, choose the Sequence you want to trigger from your library.
Once set up, the sequence will run automatically whenever a message matches the specified keyword.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
What is the Sequence feature in WATI? → The Sequence feature allows you to schedule and automate messages in a predefined order, either immediately or after a set delay. It helps in automating follow-ups and maintaining consistent communication with customers.
Who can access the Sequence feature? → The Sequence feature is available only to users on the Professional Plan.
Where can I find the Sequence feature? → You can access the Sequence feature by navigating to Automation > Sequence in your WATI dashboard.
Setting Up a Sequence
How do I create a new Sequence? → To create a new Sequence:
Go to Automation > Sequence.
Click Add Sequence.
Enter a name for the Sequence and click Add.
Click the newly created Sequence to configure it.
What types of messages can I include in a Sequence? → You can include the following message types in a Sequence:
Text
Documents
Images
Templates
Stickers
Videos
How do I add messages to a Sequence?
Click on an existing Sequence.
Click Add Message.
Select an Action (reply material type).
Set a Time Delay (minutes, hours, or days).
Configure the Time Range and Days if needed.
Click Save.
Scheduling and Timing
What is a Time Delay in a Sequence? → The Time Delay determines when a message will be sent after the Sequence is triggered. You can set delays in minutes, hours, or days.
How does the Time Range setting work? → The Time Range setting allows you to specify when messages should be sent:
Any Time: Messages can be sent at any time of the day.
Send Between: Messages will only be sent during a specified time range (e.g., 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM).
Can I choose specific days for messages to be sent? → Yes. You can select specific days (e.g., Monday, or Wednesday) to ensure messages are only sent on those days.
What happens if a message is scheduled outside the allowed time range or day? → If a message falls outside the specified time range or day, it will be sent the next time the schedule criteria are met.
Managing and Editing a Sequence
How do I rename a Sequence? → Click the ✏️ Edit icon next to the Sequence name to rename it.
How do I modify a message within a Sequence? → Click the ✏️ Edit icon next to any action in the Sequence to edit it.
How do I delete a message from a Sequence? → Click the 🗑️ Trash bin icon next to the action you want to remove.
What happens if I delete a Sequence? → If you delete a Sequence, WATI will stop sending messages to contacts who were receiving scheduled messages from that Sequence.
What happens if I modify the timing of a message within a Sequence? → If you change the schedule, WATI will stop sending messages to contacts who were on the old schedule, unless the new schedule overlaps with the old one.