SET UP YOUR FIRST SALE

Make your first WhatsApp reply flow

Reply to SHOP with your shop link, then test before publishing.

8 min readBeginner friendlyReviewed 20 October 2026
In this guide
THE SHORT ANSWER

Start with a small flow: the customer sends SHOP, Waabot sends a helpful message, then the flow ends. You do not need AI for a fixed reply like this.

SEE IT SIMPLY

YOUR FIRST FLOW · EXAMPLE
WHEN THEY SENDSHOP
REPLY WITHYour shop link
THENEnd the flow

A fixed reply follows your instructions. An AI step writes an answer and uses credits.

Before you begin

A connected WhatsApp account, active paid access and automation activation available for your workspace.

01Here is what you are making

Use this message: “Hello! You can see our products here: [your public shop link]. If you need help, ask for a person.” Replace the example link with your real shop link.

02Build the flow

  1. Open Automations in your dashboard and choose WhatsApp.

  2. Choose Create your first flow (or the create option if flows already exist). Start a blank flow or a suitable template. Give it a clear name such as Shop link.

  3. Set a keyword trigger to SHOP. Use the exact-match option for this first example.

  4. Add a text message with your actual shop link.

  5. Connect the trigger to the message and the message to an end step. Complete required settings.

  6. Save the draft and use Test. Send SHOP in the tester and check the message and link.

  7. Publish only after validation passes and the connection and assistant are ready.

  8. From a different phone, send a new SHOP message. Check the real inbox and delivery status.

WhatsApp flow editor with SHOP keyword, message block and Save, Test and Publish controls.
1 — Set your keyword. 2 — Save, Test and then Publish. This draft is shown in the safe preview, which sends no messages. Tap the image to enlarge.

03Let a person help

A fixed flow follows the steps you set. An AI step generates an answer and can use credits. Start with the fixed flow, then add AI when you have useful business information to give it.

Use the inbox’s conversation controls when taking over manually. Resume automation intentionally when the person has finished. Publishing a changed draft updates future flow starts; a conversation already running can still use its earlier published version.

A little extra help

The tester works but nothing sends on WhatsApp.

A test simulates the flow. Check Publish, channel connection, assistant activation, matching keyword and account readiness for live use.

I edited the draft. Why does the old reply still appear?

Publish your changes. Also test with a fresh flow start: an existing session can retain the version it started with.

Ready for the next step?

Dashboard links will ask you to sign in.

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