Conversational Components in Hibot (WhatsApp Business API) – Complete Guide

Modern customer communication is all about speed and simplicity. With Conversational Components in Hibot – WhatsApp Business API, you can make it easier for users to interact with your business directly inside WhatsApp.

This guide explains how conversational components work and how you can use them to improve customer engagement.

🚀 What Are Conversational Components?

Conversational components are in-chat features that enhance user interaction on WhatsApp.

They allow you to:

• Provide quick starting options (ice breakers)

• Enable command-based interactions

• Guide users on how to engage with your business

These features reduce friction and make conversations more intuitive.

💡 Why Use Conversational Components?

With Hibot, conversational components help you:

• Improve customer experience

• Reduce response time

• Guide users with predefined actions

• Increase engagement and conversions

⚙️ How to Configure Conversational Components

You can set up these features using:

1. WhatsApp Manager (Recommended)

• Go to your app dashboard

• Select your WhatsApp configuration

• Choose your phone number

• Open Settings → Automations

• Configure conversational components

2. API (Advanced Users)

You can also configure and manage these components programmatically using API endpoints.

🧊 Ice Breakers (Quick Start Options)

Ice breakers are predefined messages that appear when a user starts a chat with your business.

Examples:

• “Book a demo”

• “Track my order”

• “Talk to support”

Key Features:

• Up to 4 ice breakers per number

• Maximum 80 characters each

• No emojis allowed

When a user taps an ice breaker:

• It sends a message to your system

• You receive it via webhook

• You can trigger automation or reply instantly

💡 Perfect for onboarding users and guiding first interactions.

💬 Commands (Slash-Based Actions)

Commands allow users to interact using a forward slash ( / ) inside chat.

Example:

/help – Get support/order – Track your order/book – Schedule a service

When a user types a command:

• The full text is sent to your webhook

• You can process it and respond dynamically

Limits:

• Up to 30 commands

• Command name: max 32 characters

• Description (hint): max 256 characters

• Emojis not supported

💡 Ideal for advanced interactions and chatbot-like experiences.

🔗 Important Limitation

If a user opens your WhatsApp chat using a wa.me link with pre-filled text, the ice breaker interface will not be shown.

🔧 Configure Using API

You can also configure conversational components using API calls.

What you can do:

• Add or update commands

• Add prompts (ice breakers)

• Fetch existing configuration

Key Endpoints:

• Configure → /PHONE_NUMBER_ID/conversational_automation

• Retrieve → /PHONE_NUMBER_ID?fields=conversational_automation

🧪 Testing Conversational Components

To test your setup:

1. Open WhatsApp

2. Start a chat with your business number

3. If already chatted before:

   • Clear and delete the chat

   • Start a new conversation

This ensures ice breakers appear properly.

📈 Best Practices

• Use clear and action-driven ice breakers

• Keep commands simple and intuitive

• Align commands with your business goals

• Avoid overloading users with too many options

🎯 Use Cases for Hibot

With conversational components, you can build:

• Customer support flows 🤝

• Booking systems 📅

• Order tracking 📦

• Lead generation funnels 🎯

• AI chatbot experiences 🤖

🏁 Final Thoughts

Conversational components transform WhatsApp from a simple messaging app into an interactive business tool.

With Hibot – WhatsApp Business API, you can:

• Guide users from the first message

• Automate interactions

• Deliver a seamless customer experience