WhatsApp add-on

The WhatsApp add-on sends WhatsApp messages to leads from automation rules, with approved templates, the 24-hour window handled for you, and replies and delivery tracking. It needs AcquisitionSuite Pro 3.7.0 or later with an active license. See Add-ons for installing it.

Pro can already send basic WhatsApp messages without the add-on (see WhatsApp setup). When the add-on is active, WhatsApp settings move to the add-on’s page, and rules you saved with the first version keep working with your provider settings kept.

What it adds

A Send WhatsApp Message action in the automation rule builder, and two triggers, WhatsApp: Message Received and WhatsApp: Message Failed.

Providers

• WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta, direct)
• Twilio (Content templates)
• Webhook, to hand the message to any other tool

Set it up

1. Open AcquisitionSuite → Add-ons → WhatsApp, choose a provider and enter its details.
2. With the Cloud API, enter your WhatsApp Business Account ID and choose Refresh from WhatsApp to load your approved templates.
3. To receive replies and delivery updates, copy the Callback URL and Verify token into Meta for Developers → WhatsApp → Configuration, subscribe to “messages”, and enter your app secret.
4. Send a test message from the same page.

Send a template or plain text

• Pick one of your approved WhatsApp message templates in the rule, and give each variable a value such as {full_name} or {order_number}.
• Or send plain text, with an optional template to use instead when WhatsApp’s 24-hour window has closed. WhatsApp only allows free text to someone who wrote to you in the last 24 hours.
• Mark a message transactional (a receipt or an order update) to send it even to someone who opted out.

Look after your contacts

• Phone numbers are read the way people type them (0803 123 4567, +234 803 123 4567) and completed with your default country code.
• A person who replies STOP is not messaged again; START turns messages back on.
• Choose whether to message anyone with a number, or only people who agreed to marketing.
• Failures are explained in plain words (not on WhatsApp, rate limit, template not found, expired token).

Hear back

With the Cloud API, replies open the 24-hour window and run your rules through the Message Received trigger. A reply from a known lead adds the tag whatsapp-replied. Delivery is tracked on each message in the Activity list as delivered, read or failed, and a failed delivery runs your Message Failed rules.

Good to know

• The add-on makes no request until a rule sends a message or you use a button on its settings page.
• Only message people who agreed to hear from you. WhatsApp can restrict a number that messages people who did not opt in.
• Lead Funnels can send a WhatsApp template as one of their actions. See Funnel actions.