WooCommerce-WhatsApp integration methods
There are two main approaches to integrate WooCommerce with WhatsApp Business API: via dedicated WordPress plugins, or via WooCommerce native webhooks connected to Chat API.
The webhook approach is more flexible and powerful: WooCommerce sends a webhook to your server every time an order status changes, the server processes the event and calls Chat API to send the appropriate template.
Webhook configuration
To configure the webhook in WooCommerce, go to Settings > Advanced > Webhooks. Create a new webhook with: topic 'Order updated', your endpoint URL, a secret for signature verification.
Map each WooCommerce status (pending, processing, shipped, completed, cancelled) to a specific WhatsApp template. Focus on the most client-relevant status changes.
Phone number handling
WooCommerce collects the client's phone number at checkout. Before sending to WhatsApp, verify the number is in international format. Use a phone validation library (libphonenumber) to normalize formats before sending.
Optimizing the post-purchase experience
Beyond order status notifications, WooCommerce + Chat API allows automating: abandoned cart recovery messages, review requests, and related product offers based on purchase history.
