Short answer. The WhatsApp button brings a person into the chat, but they just type "Hello," and then you have to figure out what they need. Put a two- or three-question flow between the click and the chat: the answers combine into a specific first message. That's how Mate works.
Why is "Hello" costing you leads?
The client sees an empty field and doesn't know what to write. Then every follow-up question you ask is a pause where some people drop off. You lose them before you even find out what they wanted.
Does WhatsApp Business help?
Partly. The app is free, the number stays the same, and you get extra tools for handling customers on top.
Feature | Business | |
|---|---|---|
Business profile and hours | No | Yes |
Auto-reply and quick replies | No | Yes |
QR code and short link | No | Yes |
Specific first message from the client | No | No |
That last row is the whole point. Business lets you set up what you send. It doesn't change what the client shows up with.
How do you build a flow that writes the message?
No more than three questions. That's the ceiling for cold traffic from ads.
Options instead of typing. A tap is faster than typing on a phone.
Ask only what changes your answer. Service, scope, timing. You don't need a name or "how did you hear about us."
Make the date its own step. This removes the longest part of the conversation.
Walk through it yourself. If you can't give a useful reply based on the final message, you picked the wrong questions.
What does a good first message look like?
It has what's needed, when it's needed, and one detail about the scope of work.
Salon: "I want a coloring on Wednesday after 5pm, shoulder-length hair."
Clinic: "Need a consultation for a facial this week, sensitive skin."
Repairs: "Need a faucet replaced in the next few days, apartment downtown."
What mistakes come up most often?
Seven questions instead of three. The flow turns into a form, and people quit halfway through.
Questions for reporting purposes. "How did you hear about us" doesn't help you respond to the client.
There's a button, but no one to answer. Turn on an auto-reply for off-hours.
Set it up and forgot about it. Check the first twenty messages and drop any question that added nothing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make a WhatsApp link?
Take the number in international format, drop the plus sign, the leading zero, and any separators, and plug it into https://wa.me/number. You can add ready-made text with the ?text= parameter.
How is a flow different from a chatbot?
A bot replies for you inside the chat, and you have to build and maintain it. A flow works before the chat: it collects answers and opens the conversation. A real person replies, and there's nothing to configure.
How is this better than a contact form?
A form drops the request into your CRM, and you call back someone who's already busy with something else. A flow keeps the person in the chat, where they're ready to reply right away.
How many questions should I ask?
Two or three. Ask only what you need to quote a price or timeline. Figure out the rest in the chat itself, where people answer more willingly.
Do I need WhatsApp Business for this?
Not necessarily, the link works with any number. But it's worth installing: it's free and adds a business profile, auto-replies, and a QR code.