15 Questions Answered in This Guide

✅ Will using a bot get my WhatsApp number banned?
✅ How much does a WhatsApp chatbot actually cost?
✅ Can the bot understand Arabic dialects and mixed language?
✅ What's the difference between WhatsApp API and the regular app?

Account Safety & Compliance

Q1: Will using a chatbot get my WhatsApp number banned?

No — if you use the official API. Bans happen when businesses use unofficial scrapers that fake a WhatsApp client via QR code. AutoReplyZ connects through the official Meta Cloud API, which is Meta's own enterprise infrastructure — completely ban-proof.

Q2: What's the difference between WhatsApp Business API and the regular Business App?

The regular WhatsApp Business App is designed for one person on one device. The API is built for teams: multiple agents, automation, bots, and analytics — all from a browser. See our full breakdown: WhatsApp Business API vs Business App.

Q3: Do I need a new phone number for the API?

No. You can connect your existing business number. However, once connected to the API, you cannot use the WhatsApp app on the same number simultaneously. Most businesses use a dedicated business number.

Pricing & Costs

Q4: How much does a WhatsApp chatbot cost?

Two cost layers: (1) AutoReplyZ subscription starting at $19/month for the bot platform, inbox, flows, and analytics. (2) Meta conversation fees — charged per conversation (not per message), varying by country and category (Marketing vs. Utility). Most businesses pay $0.01–$0.08 per conversation.

Q5: Are there free conversations?

Yes. Meta gives 1,000 free service conversations per month. Service conversations are those initiated by the customer (they message you first). After that, Meta's per-conversation fee applies.

Bot Capabilities

Q6: Can the bot understand Arabic dialects?

AutoReplyZ uses keyword trigger matching — "Contains" mode catches Arabic words regardless of full sentence structure, handling Egyptian, Gulf, and Levantine dialects effectively. For example, "سعر" matches "كم السعر لو سمحت؟" in any dialect.

Q7: What happens when the bot doesn't know the answer?

The bot can be configured with a fallback message ("Our team will be with you shortly!") and automatically escalate to a human agent via the unified inbox. You can also set a specific keyword like "agent" or "human" to trigger instant escalation.

Q8: Can I send messages to customers first?

Yes, using Meta-approved Message Templates. These are pre-approved messages for notifications like order confirmations, appointment reminders, or promotional offers. You cannot send free-form messages to customers who haven't messaged you in the last 24 hours.

Q9: Can the bot handle images, videos, and documents?

Yes. AutoReplyZ bots can send and receive images, PDFs, videos, audio messages, and location pins. You can set up flows that share product catalogs, menus, or price lists as PDF attachments.

Q10: Does the bot work 24/7 including weekends?

Yes. The bot runs 24/7 without interruption. As proven in our dental clinic case study, the highest inquiry volumes often occur after business hours (8–11 PM) — exactly when the bot delivers the most value.

Setup & Getting Started

Q11: How long does it take to set up?

Connecting your number and building your first conversation flow takes under 30 minutes. Meta verification for the phone number can take 1–24 hours.

Q12: Do I need a Facebook Business account?

Yes, a verified Meta Business account is required to access WhatsApp Cloud API. AutoReplyZ guides you through the setup step by step — no developer needed.

Q13: Can multiple team members use the bot simultaneously?

Yes. AutoReplyZ supports unlimited team members (depending on plan), each with a role (Owner, Admin, Agent) and their own login. Everyone sees the same unified inbox in real time.

Q14: How do I know if the bot is performing well?

Use the analytics dashboard to track message volume, human handover rate, peak hours, and new vs. returning contacts. A healthy bot resolves over 70% of conversations without human intervention.

Q15: Can I try it before committing?

Yes. AutoReplyZ offers a free trial so you can connect your number, build a flow, and see real conversations — before paying anything. Check the pricing page for current trial details.

Ready to Start?

Start with our step-by-step chatbot guide — it walks you through connecting your number, building your first flow, and setting up keyword triggers in under 30 minutes. No coding required.

Top 15 WhatsApp Chatbot FAQs: Expert Answers to Every Question