Many WooCommerce “WhatsApp plugins” only add a chat button. That’s useful (you can make one free with our chat button generator), but it can’t send order updates or recover carts. For that you need the WhatsApp Business API connected to your store.
Button plugin vs API integration
| Chat button plugin | WhatsApp Business API integration | |
|---|---|---|
| Customer can start a chat | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic order and shipping updates | No | Yes |
| Abandoned cart reminders | No | Yes |
| COD confirmation | No | Yes |
| Broadcasts to opted-in customers | No | Yes |
| Shared team inbox, chatbots | No | Yes |
| Cost | Usually free | Plan + Meta’s per-message charges |
For the general WordPress angle, see WhatsApp for WordPress.
What to automate first
- Order confirmation and shipping updates. Cheap utility messages that cut “where is my order?” chats. See order updates for Shopify and WooCommerce.
- COD confirmation and COD-to-prepaid. See COD to prepaid on WhatsApp.
- Abandoned cart recovery. Works the same way as on Shopify. See our cart recovery setup guide.
- Broadcasts to segments of past buyers.
How to set it up with Hello24
- Get a WhatsApp Business API number through Hello24 (or move your existing one).
- Install the Hello24 WooCommerce plugin and connect your store.
- Choose which order events send which templates.
- Turn on cart recovery and COD flows.
Our team does this with you in 1:1 onboarding, and the WooCommerce integration is included free on every plan. Learn more on the WooCommerce page or book a demo.
Checklist before you go live
- Phone number is collected (and required) at WooCommerce checkout.
- A WhatsApp opt-in tick box is on the checkout page.
- Templates are approved. Check them with the template preview tool.
- You’ve estimated monthly WhatsApp charges with the pricing calculator.