How to build a WhatsApp chatbot for your Indian business

Step 1 — Get Meta Business Verification

Before you can use WhatsApp Business API, your business must be verified by Meta. Requirements: a registered Indian company, a business website, and a phone number not already on WhatsApp. Verification takes 3–7 business days if documents are in order.

Step 2 — Choose your API access method

Two paths: direct Cloud API access (recommended for new builds — managed by Meta, lower latency) or the legacy on-premises API (being sunset). Voltair Tech uses Cloud API for all new builds.

Step 3 — Design your conversation flows

Map every intent your customers might express — timings, location, returns, order status. Each intent needs a response flow: a fixed answer, a RAG lookup, or a human escalation trigger.

Step 4 — Build the bot and integrate AI

A basic button-flow bot handles known intents. An AI-powered bot with a language model at its core handles free-text inputs in Hinglish or Hindi without any hardcoded keyword matching.

Step 5 — Add payment integration

Until WhatsApp Pay (UPI) reaches full coverage, integrate Razorpay to accept UPI, cards, and net banking inside the conversation using payment links. Customers pay without leaving the app.

Step 6 — Test, submit templates, and go live

Every outbound message must use a Meta-approved template (24–72 hours to approve). Test all flows in staging with a dedicated test number before going live on the business number.

Can a WhatsApp bot respond in Hindi and English on the same number?

Yes — language detection is automatic. If a customer sends ‘Namaste, appointment chahiye’, the bot responds in Hindi. If they write ‘I need to rebook my order’, it responds in English. Same bot, same number.

What is the difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API?

The Business App is a free mobile app for small businesses — one device, manual responses, basic automation. The Business API connects your business to Meta’s cloud infrastructure, enabling bots, bulk messaging, multi-agent support, and payment integrations.