The integration with WhatsApp business allows you to automatically send pre-set messages (the ones you already know in the Settings --> Email Template section) by using the phone number in the reservation, via Whatsapp.
To be able to send messages with WhatsApp you will first need to have an account with Facebook Business (Meta https://business.facebook.com/settings/whatsapp-business-accounts) where you will have to connect a new number created specifically for Whatsapp Business and an account with Bird, (in order to create a Bird account you will need to subscribe a licence), once you are inside Bird, click on login up on the right side and then click on Sign up.
Until you purchase the BIRD subscription, the connection with Octorate will not be successful.
To create your account you will need to connect a work email (for example @octorate.com) emails with generic domains such as @gmail or @libero will not be accepted.
You will need to upload a credit in your Bird wallet
Once you have done these first steps, you can request us to be connected.
ATTENTION: the phone number you connect cannot have other active WhatsApp accounts, so avoid connecting your personal phone number. You can also connect a landline number to this service.
First you will need to set up your Message Bird account:
- Log in to your Message Bird account and click on sign-up forms
On the next page click on Install your first channel
Select Whatsapp by Bird and then click on install Whatsapp
Here you can either purchase a new number which you will then connect to Meta or if you already have a number (even a fixed one) to dedicate you can indicate "I have my own number"
In both cases you will then have to follow the procedure to connect the number with Meta
Click here to log in to your Facebook Business account associated with your number
The new window to configure the connection with Meta will automatically open. Enter your Facebook Business account information associated with your number
Follow the instructions that appear in the Message Bird pop ups.
After following all the steps proposed by the pop ups, click on Install Whatsapp at the bottom.
You may already want to use Bird's inbox to send messages via WA, but to automate messages you will have to connect the WhatsApp channel you just created on Bird to Octorate by providing us with the following questions:
You will need to provide us with the Organization ID, you will find it in this way:
- click on the initials of your account name at the top left
Then click on settings > general > organization
2. the API key that you will have to create by clicking on security > add new access key
To find it click on Developers on the left side
Then click on access management > access key and click on add new access key
Set as Key name and key description: Octorate Whatsapp
and as rules set: Organization Owner.
By clicking Save, a key will be generated that you will need to copy and provide to us.
Channel ID: Click on your profile at the bottom left and then click on Manage Channels
At this point select WhatsApp by Bird
At this point you will find the Channel ID which you will need to copy and provide us:
Now you are ready to start the connection process, login in Octorate and click on settings > email templates and then click on Whatsapp business:
Insert the apikey an the Channel ID you obtained from Message Bird, save, send demo message and start to use whatsapp business.
The test message will be send to the mobile number configured in settings > properties.
What will be the advantages of having a Whatsapp business account connected with Octorate?
Access to the messaging service will be linked to your Octorate account and not to a physical device, so all users who have access to the platform will be able to use the service and manage communication with guests via the Whatsapp channel, without the need to have a company phone.
Furthermore, conversations with your guests will be directly linked to your reservations, which could not happen by managing Whatsapp from an external device.
Once you have set up the connection with Whatsapp, you can automatically send template emails to your guests via this channel, by setting Whatsapp as the first communication channel:
When you send a message to a guest via Whatsapp, they will receive a request that they must accept if they want to communicate with you:
The guest must accept the request on Whatsapp within 24 hours, otherwise the system will try to send the message again via the other available channels (portal or email).
You will be able to see the messages sent via Whatsapp in the booking detail or in the chat section:
For further information, do not hesitate to contact us!
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