How to Add WhatsApp to WordPress: A Step-by-Step Guide

WhatsApp has become the world’s most popular messaging app with over 2 billion global users. Integrating WhatsApp into your WordPress website allows visitors to easily share content, contact you for support, and opt-in to receive updates which builds engagement and trust.

In this ultimate guide you’ll learn multiple methods for adding WhatsApp integration from free plugins to custom code solutions:

• The benefits of WhatsApp integration
• Easy plugin options
• Building custom WhatsApp buttons and bots
• Optimization and best practice tips

Whether you want to add social sharing buttons, enable WhatsApp Live Chat, build a customized bot, or deeply integrate WhatsApp’s API – this guide has you covered!

Why Add WhatsApp Integration in WordPress?

Here are 5 key reasons you should consider integrating WhatsApp into your WordPress site:

1. Tap into Massive Audience of Smartphone Users

WhatsApp is used by over 2 billion people every month on smartphones alone. By integrating WhatsApp you make it easier for these users to engage with your site.

As smartphone access explodes globally, particularly across emerging markets, tapping into WhatsApp’s audience is key.

 

 

2. Faster Communication Than Email

Messages received via a WhatsApp Share Button or WhatsApp Live Chat plugin can be answered much quicker than email. This significantly improves customer service and support speed.

Some key stats about WhatsApp messaging:

• 56 billion messages per day
• 4.5 billion images shared daily
• 100+ million voice calls made daily

This dwarfs email activity rates making WhatsApp better for real-time conversations.

3. Boosts Engagement and Conversions

Allowing visitors to opt-in to receive updates via WhatsApp helps continually re-engage them. This leads to:

✔️ Increased average order values
✔️ Higher conversion rates
✔️ More repeat purchases

4. Better Customer Service

Quickly responding to support queries and product questions via WhatsApp chat drastically improves the customer experience.

“Fast and personal customer service is vital for our business to grow. Adding WhatsApp integration let’s us connect instantly with shoppers.”

• Sarah K., Ecommerce Company Owner

5. Higher Sharing and Click-Through Rates

Adding WhatsApp Share Buttons makes it easy for visitors to share your content with their networks leading to:

• Increased referral traffic
• Greater brand reach and awareness
• More social proof

As you can see, integrating WhatsApp into a WordPress website has many user experience, engagement and revenue related benefits.

WhatsApp Usage and Demographic Statistics

Beyond massive user numbers, useful stats to know include:

• Age Demographic – Highest usage among 18-40 year olds
• Geographical Use – Most popular messaging app in over 180 countries
• Time Spent – Over 195 billion minutes per day combined!
• Business Accounts – Over 50 million business profiles connected

Clearly WhatsApp has incredible reach and usage making integration worthwhile.

Beginner Friendly Ways to Add WhatsApp

If you don’t have coding skills, the easiest way to add WhatsApp is by installing a plugin. Here are top options:

1. Best WhatsApp Sharing Plugin

For adding social share buttons, the KN Mobile ShareBar plugin is best. Key features:

• Generates floating WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter share buttons
• Works only on mobile version of sites
• Lets you customize button design and share text

It’s beginner friendly and improves sharing to WhatsApp’s huge mobile audience.

2. Top WhatsApp Live Chat Plugin

To enable visitors to message you directly on your site, use WhatsHelp Chat Button. Benefits:

• Displays customizable WhatsApp chat icon
• Initiates conversations from your site
• Chats continue inside WhatsApp interface

After installing, just generate a chat code and paste it to activate live messaging.

3. Alternate Plugins

Other options include:

• WhatsApp Share Button – basic sharing plugin
• Click To Chat – desktop + mobile live chat
• WhatsApp Chat – basic messaging plugin

However the plugins listed above are more recommended and regularly updated.

Developing Custom WhatsApp Integrations

For complete flexibility, developers can leverage WhatsApp Business API to build custom solutions like:

Custom Chatbots

Chatbots allow visitors to access answers, products, and resources through AI-powered conversations 24/7.

They can be programmed using the WhatsApp API to handle common questions to improve support and boost engagement.

Dynamic Event Notifications

Custom code can integrate your site with WhatsApp to send dynamic notifications about sales, new offers, appointments and more.

For example confirming registrations for events and sending reminders leading up to them.

Enhanced Conversations

Using the WhatsApp API you can build chat solutions with additional features like:

• Message templates
• Human take over
• Chat rating surveys
• Message queue prioritization

This creates tailored messaging capabilities.

Direct Messaging from Any Page

Add custom WhatsApp chat buttons on blog posts, product pages, contact forms and more to enable visitors to message you directly.

This provides much more flexibility than limiting it to just one location.

Tips for Optimizing WhatsApp Integrations

Follow these best practices when adding WhatsApp to WordPress:

Clearly Set Expectations

Let visitors know how quickly they can expect a reply and what types of questions or messages are appropriate. This improves experience.

Use Pre-Built Quick Responses

Save time by creating canned responses to frequently asked questions which you can send instantly within chats.

Offer Alternate Contact Channels

Provide additional channels like email or contact forms as fallback options in case users don’t use WhatsApp.

Choose Visually Attractive Chat Buttons

Opt for nicely designed chat buttons using contrasting colors that fit your brand. Visually prominent placement increases clicks.

Prioritize Key Pages For Placement

Add chat buttons only on key pages like:

✔️ Contact
✔️ FAQ/Support
✔️ Homepage
✔️ Product Category Pages

Follow Up Via Email Newsletters

If a visitor shares their WhatsApp number for updates, regularly promote it in your email campaigns too. This gives multiple ways for them to engage.

By properly setting expectations, streamlining responses, and strategic placement – you can scale WhatsApp conversations effectively.

 

See Best Practice Examples

Here are real-world examples of effective WhatsApp integration from leading brands:

Company	WhatsApp Integration Type	Why It Works
Netflix	Chatbot for account support questions	Fast access to help articles 24/7 improves experience
BMW	Vehicle maintenance appointment reminders	Timely reminders reduce no-shows improving customer satisfaction
Burger King	Direct customer feedback messaging	Easy contact method increases feedback volume for better insights
Durex (India)	New product launch announcement bot	Viral signup campaign drove awareness and sales

 

Technical Approaches Based on Resources

Here are recommendations on what integration approaches work based on your resources:

 

Your Resources	Recommended Approach	Details
No coding skills	Free plugins	KN Mobile Sharebar or WhatsHelp chat plugins
Basic HTML/CSS skills	Open-source plugins	Fork Github repos to customize plugins like WhatsApp Chat
WordPress developers	Custom solutions	Leverage WP hooks and functions for deep integration
Dedicated developers	WhatsApp Business API	Build fully custom bots, chat apps, mass messaging and more

 

So choose an approach that matches your team’s technical capabilities.

Final Thoughts on Integrating WhatsApp + WordPress

I hope this comprehensive guide has shown why integrating WhatsApp is impactful and how to get started matching integration methods to your resources and goals.

With WhatsApp’s massive user base – especially on mobile – it presents a major engagement and revenue opportunity.

Easy plugins provide the ability to add share buttons or 1-to-1 messaging quickly, while custom code solutions enable tailored bots and automation.

Determine your objectives, install a purpose-fit solution, and begin connecting with billions of WhatsApp users seamlessly from your WordPress site!