Connecting with customers can have a significant impact on your success.

But deciding the best way to communicate isn't always easy. Sometimes, you can't respond to customers right away.

You simply don't have the time.

You need an easy, automatic way to deliver the speed consumers want.

That's where WhatsApp comes in. WhatsApp lets you generate labels to categorize your products, respond to clients immediately, write out-of-office replies or greeting messages, and enable auto-replies.

With more than 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp should be on your radar.

Let's look at how WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API can help your business. We'll talk about how to set up the WhatsApp auto-reply feature and even look at a few sample messages and templates you can use.

WhatsApp Auto-Reply makes it easy to respond to customers | Zoko

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Why Use Auto Reply on WhatsApp?

People like to stay connected, no matter the time of day.

But when it comes to customer communications, messaging 24/7/365 may not be realistic. Your business might be limited by short operation hours, staff shortages, long waiting queues, timezone differences, etc.

Using WhatsApp auto-replies can help:

• Set expectations for response times — make your availability known to customers
• Make good first impressions — send friendly welcome messages
• Gather consumer data through a pre-chat survey — have representatives follow up on exchanges
• Boost customer satisfaction — speed up response times

You can automate replies using WhatsApp Business & WhatsApp API.

Auto Reply on WhatsApp Business

The WhatsApp Business App functions similarly to a live chat tool.

It lets you communicate with clients, send important alerts, and get quick feedback.

The three main components of the auto-reply feature include:

1. Away Messages
2. Inform your customers that you're out of the office using a WhatsApp Away Message
3. Help users progress through the sales funnel more easily
4. Greeting Messages
5. Welcome customers to your platform by sending a friendly greeting
6. Quick Replies
7. Program automated messages and replies and schedule them according to your preferred times

How to Set Up Auto Reply on WhatsApp Business

Here are a few easy steps to set up your auto-replies:

1. In the top right corner of your WhatsApp app, tap the three vertical dots [⋮]
2. Click Settings → Business Settings → Away Message
3. The "send away message" toggle button should now be enabled
4. Type your "away" message, or click to edit it
5. Be sure to look over your message before hitting "send"
6. Select one of the following scheduling options to indicate when you want your message to send
7. Always send — if you aren't available for a while
8. Custom schedule — if you want to deliver the automated message at a specific time
9. Outside of business hours — if you want to send automated messages after regular business hours
10. For this option, you must configure business hours in your business profile
11. Choose the recipients of your message

Limitations of WhatsApp Auto Reply in WhatsApp Business

Although WhatsApp Business can help you set up away messages, it still has limitations. It doesn't offer many templates, lacks customizability, and doesn’t give you a Verified Business tag.

Green tick mark for business through Zoko | Zoko

Also read: Tired of Answering the Same Customer Queries on WhatsApp? Quick Replies can Help you Save Time and Efforts

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WhatsApp Auto Reply Templates You Can Use

General Auto Reply

Hi!  

Thanks for reaching out to [Your Business Name Here].

Our customer support representative will check your message and respond within 12 hours.  

If your inquiry needs urgent assistance, please don’t hesitate to chat with us on our website [enter website address] or call us at [enter phone number].  

Best Regards,  

[Your Business Name Here]

Out-of-Office Auto Reply

Hello!

Our staff is currently out of office for the Christmas season. We’ll get back to you once we open again on [Date].

You can also reach out to our team by emailing us at [enter support email ID] or calling us at [enter phone number].  

Have a great holiday,  

[Your Name]

Out of Business Hours Auto Reply

Hi!  

We’re currently closed from [enter closing time and opening time]. Don’t worry, we’ll get back to you tomorrow, after [time].

Meanwhile, you might find answers to your questions here [enter website FAQ page link].  

Chat with you soon,  

[Your Name]  

Auto Reply for WhatsApp API

Larger enterprises need a platform with additional message automation features. WhatsApp Business API can help.

Benefits of WhatsApp API

With WhatsApp Business API, you can automate your FAQ responses and maintain a constant line of communication with your consumers.

You also have the following advantages:  

• Automated customer service and sales — address customers' needs and complete sales automatically
• Quick response times — answer detailed questions about your company faster than humans can
• WhatsApp chatbot — available 24/7 and can manage numerous clients at once
• Reduced cost — hire fewer customer support agents

Setting Up Auto Reply through the WhatsApp API

Businesses can use the WhatsApp Business API to automate sales and customer support processes, respond to customer inquiries, and collect customer information.

Quick Replies: Enhanced and Improved by Zoko

Zoko — a central hub for all your WhatsApp communications — allows you to set up auto-replies with multiple agents on one number.

Zoko quickly automates responses and replies for you, and with WhatsApp Business API, you can deliver fast customer service via chat. Once customers opt in, businesses can contact them directly on their phones.

Creating Quick Replies on WhatsApp | Zoko

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The enhanced “quick replies” feature of the WhatsApp API enables shops to save their replies.

You can reuse and dispatch frequently-sent messages to improve customer service and create a messaging strategy.

The messaging provided by Zoko's APIs is quick and dependable. It lets you answer customer inquiries immediately and automatically.

Takeaway

Growing your business takes lots of work — and lots of automation.

Every customer encounter (including automatic replies) is a chance to showcase your brand's personality.

But, no one on your team works 24/7. No one is guarding your inbox in the middle of the night, waiting to reply to messages within seconds.

You can still provide excellent customer service and meet realistic communication expectations by using automated reply messages on WhatsApp.

Want Zoko to help out? Book a demo here.

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