WhatsApp Chatbot: Possibilities, Limitations, and Integration

Introduction

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging platform in the world with over two billion users. In the Netherlands, over 90 percent of the population uses WhatsApp daily. For businesses, it makes sense to offer customer service through the channel where their customers already are. But how does a WhatsApp chatbot actually work, and what are the possibilities and limitations?

In this article, we discuss the technical foundation of the WhatsApp Business API, show how OpenClaw connects to it, and provide concrete examples of businesses successfully using WhatsApp chatbots.

The WhatsApp Business API: How Does It Work?

The WhatsApp Business API is Meta's official interface that allows businesses to send and receive messages via WhatsApp at scale. Unlike the free WhatsApp Business app, the API is designed for automation and integration with external systems. You can build chatbots, CRM connections, and automated workflows with it.

Strict rules apply. Businesses may only respond to customer messages within a 24-hour window. Outside that window, only pre-approved template messages may be sent, such as order confirmations or appointment reminders. This prevents spam and protects the user experience.

OpenClaw connects directly to the WhatsApp Business API through an official Business Solution Provider. This means you can configure, test, and monitor your WhatsApp chatbot within the OpenClaw dashboard without building the API integration yourself.

What Can a WhatsApp Chatbot Do?

A WhatsApp chatbot can send text, images, documents, and interactive buttons. With OpenClaw, you can configure the chatbot to display product catalogs, answer FAQs, process orders, and qualify leads. The chatbot understands the intent behind the question and provides a personalized answer based on the knowledge base.

A powerful feature is the ability to seamlessly hand over a conversation to a human agent when the chatbot cannot answer a question. The agent sees the full conversation history and can continue right where the chatbot left off.

Limitations and Considerations

The 24-hour messaging window rule is the most important limitation. You cannot simply send marketing messages to customers who have not recently been in contact. Template messages must be approved by Meta and may not contain promotional content unless the customer has explicitly opted in.

There are also costs associated with the API. Meta charges per conversation, with different rates for business-initiated and customer-initiated conversations. Costs vary by country but are approximately 4 to 10 cents per conversation in the Netherlands.

Privacy is an important consideration. All data processed through the WhatsApp API must comply with GDPR. OpenClaw stores conversation data on European servers and offers tools for data minimization and automatic deletion of personal data after a configurable period.

Conclusion

WhatsApp is one of the most powerful channels for customer communication, and an AI chatbot makes it possible to serve this channel at scale. The combination of OpenClaw and the WhatsApp Business API gives businesses a professional, scalable solution that matches how their customers communicate.

The technical barrier is low, the impact is high. If you are considering using WhatsApp for customer service, an AI chatbot is the most efficient way to do it.