A "Chat with us" button is the simplest way to put WhatsApp on your Shopify store. But to send automatic order confirmations, COD confirmations, shipping updates and cart reminders, Shopify has to talk to the WhatsApp Business API. This guide shows both, starting with the quick one.
Option 1: a WhatsApp chat button (5 minutes, free)
A floating button lets shoppers message you on WhatsApp from any page. Make one with our free website chat button generator, then paste the code into your theme (in Shopify, Online Store → Themes → Edit code, just before </body> in theme.liquid). You can also make a wa.me link for your Instagram bio or a QR code for your packaging.
This is great for questions before purchase, but every reply is still typed by hand. For automation, read on.
Option 2: connect Shopify to the WhatsApp Business API
You'll need:
- A Shopify store (any plan)
- A Facebook account to sign in to Meta for Developers
- A phone number for WhatsApp that isn't on the WhatsApp app right now (or Meta's free test number to start)
- A Wapimate account (the free trial is enough)
Step 1: Connect your Shopify store
In Wapimate, open Settings, enter your store's .myshopify.com name in the Shopify section and click Connect. Shopify shows the permissions Wapimate needs (orders, checkouts, customers and products). Approve them and you're sent back to Wapimate, which imports your customers, products and recent orders. From now on, new orders and abandoned checkouts arrive automatically.
Tip: in Shopify, open Settings → Checkout and make the phone number required on the shipping address. Orders without a phone number can't be messaged.
Step 2: Create a Meta app and WhatsApp account
Go to developers.facebook.com, create an app and add the WhatsApp use case. Under production setup, create a WhatsApp Business account, enter the display name customers will see and verify your number with the SMS code.
Step 3: Create a permanent access token
In business.facebook.com → Settings → Users → System users, add a system user, give it your app and WhatsApp account, and generate a token with the two WhatsApp permissions and no expiry. Copy it straight away, since Meta shows it only once. Paste the token and your App secret into the WhatsApp section of Wapimate's Settings and click Find my WhatsApp numbers. Pick your number and click Connect WhatsApp.
Step 4: Connect the webhook
So that customer replies reach your inbox, copy the Callback URL and Verify token from Wapimate into your Meta app's WhatsApp webhook settings, click Verify and save and subscribe to messages. Send a message to your business number from your own phone to check it arrives.
Step 5: Get your templates approved
Wapimate comes with ready-made templates for order confirmation, COD confirmation, abandoned cart reminder and shipping update. Submit the ones you need; Meta usually approves them within minutes and at most 24 hours. Need ideas for your own? See our abandoned cart message templates.
Step 6: Turn on automations
In Automations, switch on what you need:
- Order confirmation and shipping updates
- COD confirmation, which also tags Shopify orders
- Abandoned cart reminders
That's it. Messages now go out by themselves, replies land in your shared team inbox, and your dashboard shows messages sent, carts recovered and revenue from WhatsApp.
Common problems
- "Verify and save" fails in Meta: copy the Callback URL and Verify token again, with no extra spaces.
- "Invalid token" error: the token expired or is missing a permission. Generate a new one with no expiry and both WhatsApp permissions.
- "My number is already on WhatsApp": delete the WhatsApp account on that phone first, wait a few minutes, then add it in Meta.
The full setup guide has a short video for every step and more troubleshooting. Prefer to do it together? Book a free setup call and we'll connect everything with you.