With the Internet getting increasingly fast-paced, enterprises simply cannot withstand incoherent communication processes. With increasing demand regarding the speed of sending the message, the transparency of the communication process, and the reliability of the answers, implementing the integration of the so-called conversational channels directly into Salesforce becomes a necessity. This blog describes a contemporary, process-oriented treatment of
WhatsApp integration with Salesforce, where companies can create a smarter and measurable messaging infrastructure, not just add another channel, as in the old days.
Most of the organizations realize the potential of WhatsApp as a powerful touchpoint, but hardly any of them use it in the manner that fits the model of data of Salesforce, Automatic process, and channel orchestration. So who can take smarter actions and implement data-driven processes within your Salesforce? Let us see how contemporary tools come into play, like the 360 SMS App and more.
The importance of WhatsApp integration with Salesforce in businesses today.
Customers love to engage in conversation channels that are fast and close. WhatsApp, which has been used by more than 2 billion users in various parts of the world, has risen as a default when it comes to real-time, opt-in business messaging. In the case of Salesforce customers, integrating WhatsApp is not about the delivery of messages but messages in context, according to the sales and support activities.
- Businesses that incorporate WhatsApp in Salesforce will be able to:
- View chat logs in real time under CRM.
- Send messages based on trigger logic out of native Salesforce workflows.
- Enhance service query response time.
- Ensure that there will be data integrity in marketing, service, and sales.
Major Platforms that provide Salesforce WhatsApp Add-on
Some vendors can offer comprehensive, enterprise-scale solutions to WhatsApp messaging within Salesforce:
- 360 SMS App: Native WhatsApp integration, templates, drip flows, and multichannel messages via SMS, Viber, KakaoTalk and the rest. It is natively built on Salesforce and enables dynamic message routing, object-based automation and regulatory controls.
- Twilio Salesforce: Supports WhatsApp API as well as programmable message flows, supporting more advanced use cases through Apex development, or third-party middleware.
- MessageBird: Cloud Communication Platform in the group of companies that incorporate WhatsApp and SMS channels into Salesforce via API-based connectors and Bots.
As opposed to non-native alternatives, platforms such as the 360 SMS App create closer security control, rapid implementation as well as reduced touchpoints because they are stood up directly.
Step by step: WhatsApp Salesforce implementation (smart approach)
Object & Trigger Logic definition of Use Case
Have a defined purpose. First, identify the purpose of the communication, like supporting case updates, continuing sales leads or appointment follow-ups.
Select both the applicable Salesforce object (e.g. Lead, Case, Opportunity) and event trigger (e.g. status change, missed call).
AppExchange Native Messaging App
- Install a Salesforce-native application such as 360 SMS that supports WhatsApp as one of the channels.
- Confirm compatibility with your Salesforce version and volume requirements of messages.
Sub-configure WhatsApp Templates and Sender IDs
- Intent authorized message templates (to be used as mandated on WhatsApp Business API).
- Sign up with and confirm your business listing and phone number with the messaging provider.
Designing Object-Based Messaging Flows
- Create business logic triggers to WhatsApp on any native Salesforce tool, e.g., Process Builder, or Flow.
- Use merge fields to send contextual messages (e.g. ). Leverage merge fields to do contextual messaging (e.g. )
Check Delivery of Monitoring Message and Reactions
- Monitor areas like success of delivery, the time of response and failure rates using dashboards.
- Create queues or alerts on messages that have to be handled manually.
Differentiating characteristics in the WhatsApp-Salesforce combination
The integration of modern messaging applications like 360 SMS is not merely a sending of texts, and it must be built into a strategy of business logic. The following are characteristics that change communication:
Multichannel Threading: See the history of SMS, WhatsApp and other channels on-screen, associated with a single record.
- Intent-Based Opt-Outs: Auto-detect opt-out language from end-users across channels.
- Cross-Channel Drip Campaigns: Drip campaigns are cross-channel, and they have escalation logic within them.
- What: Click-to-Chat & Bulk Messaging: Game-changing way to launch 1:1 or 1:many WhatsApp messages from List Views or Reports.
- Consent Tracking: Track all the permissions and compliance checkpoints about WhatsApp messages in a full audit trail.
Sales and Support Processes Use Cases
- Lead Qualification: Auto-send follow-up messages through WhatsApp depending on lead score or status change.
- Order Confirmation: Using template-based WhatsApp messages after a purchase has occurred on the Opportunity or Order object.
- Service Notifications: Case update, RMA instructions or SLA alerts via WhatsApp with full synchronicity with the Salesforce Case data.
Things to note before integrations
- Make sure that you have access to WhatsApp Business API (through a provider such as 360 SMS or Twilio).
- Match your Salesforce models integration so that you do not create duplicates, or have interrupted flows.
- Choose over native-integrated platforms instead of API-patchwork to reduce development times.
- See the WhatsApp policy on messages and the approval process of templates.
A contemporary WhatsApp extension of Salesforce cannot be perceived as integrating another messaging tool, but as designing more intelligent processes that pay attention to time, purpose, and context. Depending on event-based updates, customer-specific conversations and lead following up, WhatsApp can become a highly valuable node in your customer journey map, provided it is properly integrated.
The platforms, such as 360 SMS App, offer built-in Salesforce connectivity, which eliminates doubt in implementation. To companies that are serious about the clarity of operations and the scale of their message, WhatsApp integration with Salesforce is more of a strategic need than a luxury.
Confused About Which WhatsApp for Salesforce Messaging Solution to Get?
Learn how you can have multichannel workflows and native Salesforce logic in 360 SMS App. Join now in your free trial of technology or ask to demonstrate.