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Automate the conversation. Close the sale.

Updated 1 October 2026 · Pludor team · 3 sources

WhatsApp automation means sending replies, order updates and follow-ups automatically, either with the free WhatsApp Business app's quick replies or with the WhatsApp Business Platform and an AI assistant. You may only message people who gave you their number and opted in (WhatsApp Business Policy), and replies inside an open customer service conversation are free while template messages are charged per message (Meta).

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Many small businesses take most of their orders on WhatsApp. Automation keeps replies fast without you watching the phone all day.

What you need

  • A WhatsApp Business account
  • Answers to your most common questions
  • Opt-in from customers before you send them updates or offers
  • Message templates for order confirmations, shipping and reminders
  • A plan for when a person takes over

Beginner mistakes to avoid

  • Messaging people who never opted in
  • Sending promotions too often
  • Auto-replies that do not answer the question
  • No hand-off to a person for problems

How to do it

How do I set up WhatsApp auto-replies?

Use greeting, away and quick-reply messages in WhatsApp Business, or an AI assistant for full answers.

  1. Set a greeting message for new chats
  2. Set an away message for closed hours
  3. Save quick replies for prices, location and hours
  4. Add an order link in your replies

How do I send order notifications on WhatsApp?

Use approved utility templates triggered by your store.

  1. Get customer opt-in at checkout
  2. Create templates for confirmation, dispatch and delivery
  3. Connect your store to send them automatically
  4. Utility templates inside an open service window are free; outside they are charged (Meta)

How do I follow up with leads on WhatsApp?

Send one helpful follow-up after an enquiry, with a clear next step.

  1. Reply within minutes to new enquiries
  2. Send a follow-up with a booking or order link if they go quiet
  3. Stop if they say no
  4. Respect opt-out requests anywhere (WhatsApp Business Policy)

How do I use AI to answer WhatsApp messages?

Give an AI assistant your business information and let it answer common questions and take orders.

  1. Write your prices, products, delivery and policies
  2. Connect the assistant to your WhatsApp number
  3. Let it hand off complaints and unusual requests
  4. Review conversations weekly

How do I get customers to opt in?

Ask clearly at checkout, on forms and in person, and say what they will receive.

  1. Add a WhatsApp opt-in box at checkout
  2. Say what messages they will get
  3. Use a click-to-chat link or QR code
  4. Record when and how they opted in

How much does WhatsApp automation cost?

The Business app is free; the Business Platform charges per template message by category and country (Meta).

  1. Estimate monthly marketing and utility messages
  2. Check the rate for your customers' countries
  3. Remember service conversations are free
  4. Add any tool or provider fee

Common questions

Is WhatsApp automation allowed?

Yes, within WhatsApp's policies: message only people who opted in and honour opt-outs (WhatsApp Business Policy).

Are customer service replies free?

Yes, service conversations are free; template messages are charged (Meta).

Can I send promotions on WhatsApp?

With opt-in, using marketing templates, which are charged per delivered message (Meta).

What is the difference between the Business app and the Platform?

The app is for one phone and manual replies with simple automation; the Platform connects to software for automation and AI at scale.

Can AI take orders on WhatsApp?

Yes, if it is connected to your products and checkout; keep a person available for problems.

How fast should I reply?

As fast as possible; an automatic first reply sets expectations when you are busy.

Going further: scale and grow

Click-to-WhatsApp ads

Ads that open a WhatsApp chat start a free messaging window (Meta); have answers ready.

Segment your contacts

Send updates only to people interested in that product or area.

Measure replies to orders

Track chats that become orders to see which replies work.

Catalogue in chat

Share product links and a catalogue so customers can buy without leaving the chat for long.

Keep it personal

Automation should feel like fast service, not spam.

Use AI for this

Where AI helps most on WhatsApp.

  1. Answers. Answer product, price and delivery questions.
  2. Orders. Take simple orders and send payment links.
  3. Summaries. Summarise long chats for you.
  4. Templates. Draft order and reminder templates.
  5. Follow-ups. Draft polite follow-ups.

Be careful

Never let AI promise prices or delivery dates that your system does not confirm.

Doing this on Pludor

Pludor connects WhatsApp to your store and an AI assistant that answers from your information, takes orders and hands off to you, with order notifications built in.

  • AI answers on WhatsApp, SMS and calls
  • Order links and payment
  • Order notifications
  • One inbox

Free to start - no card, no item limit. Pay only for what you use past the monthly free amounts.

Automate my WhatsApp

Sources

  1. WhatsApp Business Policy
  2. Meta: WhatsApp Business Platform pricing
  3. Pludor pricing

Checked 1 October 2026. Fees and rules change; follow the links for the latest.

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