WhatsApp automation setup checklist for first-time users

Before any automation goes live, the basics need to be right: a verified WhatsApp Business number, a clear business profile with accurate hours and category, and a decision on whether existing customer conversations need to be migrated to the new number.

Next comes defining the first few automated flows — what should happen the moment someone messages for the first time, how a booking or order enquiry should be handled, and what qualifying questions actually matter for this specific business.

Templates for anything sent outside an active conversation window need to be drafted and submitted for approval early, since approval can take time and shouldn't be the thing holding up a launch date.

A clear handoff point needs to be defined — at what stage does the automated flow bring in a human, and who on the team is responsible for picking up those handoffs so a qualified lead doesn't just sit unattended after automation does its part.

Finally, a short test period with a small group of real leads — rather than a full launch on day one — makes it possible to catch awkward responses or gaps in the flow before it's running at full volume across every incoming enquiry.