This article explains how to use the WhatsApp: Customer Service Window Check condition in automated workflows to send free-form messages. It lets you check whether an active Customer Service Window is open between your business and a customer. While the window is open, you can send unlimited free-form messages at no extra cost, with up to 1,000 service conversations included free each month.

How to Use WhatsApp: Customer Service Window Check in Workflows

Before sending free-form messages, confirm whether the customer service window is open. If it is, you can send messages freely. Responding to a customer's inbound message automatically opens a service conversation. Businesses receive 1,000 free service conversations per month, which significantly reduces messaging costs.

Navigate to Automation> Workflows > Create Workflow or click an existing workflow.

Rename the workflow as you like, then add a suitable workflow trigger.

Add an action by clicking the plus icon and selecting "WhatsApp: Customer Service Window Check." This feature lets you choose from multiple connected WhatsApp numbers within a location when checking the service window.

Only numbers with an "ACTIVE" status are available for selection, ensuring accurate workflow execution. This lets you validate service windows for the correct phone numbers, streamline customer support, and manage multiple WhatsApp interactions efficiently.

Review the action details, then save it!

This action creates two branches: Open and Closed.

Open Branch

Select the WhatsApp action and choose "None - Free-form message." This lets you send unlimited messages during the open window, using the 1,000 free service conversations.

Closed Branch

Choose a WhatsApp action and select a marketing or utility template to initiate a new conversation.

If the customer service window is closed, meaning the customer hasn't replied within 24 hours, you can only send WhatsApp marketing or utility templates.

Understanding Conversations

Conversations are 24-hour message threads between your business and customers, and they form the basis for WhatsApp pricing. Conversations can be initiated through free-form messages or by using pre-approved templates.

When are Conversations Opened?

  1. Marketing, Utility, and Authentication Conversations

These conversations are opened when you send a pre-approved marketing, utility, or authentication template to a customer. If an existing conversation of the same category is already open, no new conversation is initiated. Otherwise, a new 24-hour conversation starts. Example:

  • Hour 0: A marketing conversation is opened by sending a promotion.
  • Hour 4: The customer replies, opening a customer service window that allows you to send free-form messages for the next 24 hours.
  • Hour 5: You send a free-form message. Since an open conversation (marketing) exists, no service conversation is initiated.
  • Hour 25: After the marketing conversation expires, you send another message. This starts a new service conversation, lasting 24 hours.

        2. Service Conversations

A service conversation begins when any message other than a template is delivered, and no open conversation of any category exists.

Example:

  • Hour 0: A marketing conversation is initiated by sending a promotion.
  • Hour 4: The customer replies, opening a customer service window for free-form messaging.
  • Hour 5: You send a free-form message. Since a marketing conversation is open, no service conversation is initiated.
  • Hour 25: After the marketing conversation expires, sending another message starts a new 24-hour service conversation.

       3. Customer Service Window

A Customer Service Window is a 24-hour period that begins when a WhatsApp user messages your business. During this time, you can send free-form messages without additional charges, as long as the window remains open.

      4. Free Tier Conversations

WhatsApp Business Accounts (WABA) receive 1,000 free service conversations per month across all business phone numbers. This allowance resets monthly. Service conversations are included in this free tier, but marketing, utility, and authentication conversations are not.

FAQs

Q: What's the difference between "None - Free-form message" and selecting a template?

  • "None - Free-form message" lets you send custom messages within the 24-hour service window. Templates are pre-approved messages, useful for initiating conversations outside the service window or for specific marketing or support purposes.

Q: Where can I check my free-tier conversation count?

  • You can view your free-tier conversation count in Facebook Business Manager by selecting your WhatsApp account and navigating to Account Tools > Insights.

Q: Can I combine WhatsApp with other channels like SMS or Email in workflows?

  • Yes, workflows support combining WhatsApp with other channels such as SMS or Email, allowing for comprehensive automation sequences.

Q: Can I send messages outside the 24-hour customer service window using workflows?

  • Yes, you can use approved WhatsApp templates to send messages after the customer service window has closed. Note that template-based messages will incur additional charges.

Q: What is a 'Free Entry Point Conversation' and how is it different from a regular conversation?

  • A Free Entry Point Conversation occurs when a customer clicks a "Click to WhatsApp" ad or a Facebook Call-to-Action button. These conversations last 72 hours, during which you can send both free-form and template messages.