Generate a WordPress plugin to send WhatsApp notifications
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging channel in many markets — Spain, Latin America, India, Southeast Asia. Getting a WhatsApp notification for "your order has shipped" has meaningfully higher open rates than email. Making WordPress send those messages reliably, however, requires knowing which API to use (Meta Cloud API vs Twilio vs 360dialog vs Vonage) and how to manage template messages, opt-in state, and rate limits.
A generated WhatsApp plugin is built around the API you pick and your specific triggers. We handle template message pre-approval workflow (you write the template text, we fit it to WhatsApp's 24-hour rule), opt-in enforcement (never message without consent), and failure handling.
Why generate it instead of installing an existing plugin?
Meta Cloud API is free to start and has generous limits. Twilio and 360dialog charge per message but add value (better UX for templates, better delivery reports). For most EU shops, Meta Cloud API is the sensible default; the plugin can swap later if you outgrow it.
Existing WooCommerce WhatsApp plugins work for sending a fixed set of notifications through the plugin vendor's infrastructure. That means a recurring fee per message, your customer data routed through their servers, and limited flexibility on message content. A custom plugin talks directly to the API, you pay only the provider's per-message cost, and content is fully under your control.
Compliance is where things get serious. WhatsApp requires explicit opt-in, template message pre-approval, and respects a 24-hour service window. A plugin aware of all three (with an explicit opt-in UI and a consent log) is less risky than a black-box connector.
Example prompt
This is the kind of description that generates this plugin. You can start from it and tweak whatever you need before hitting generate.
Plugin name: Acme WhatsApp Alerts
API provider: Meta Cloud API (Business Platform v18).
Credentials: phone number ID + access token stored as options.
Opt-in:
- WooCommerce checkout field "Receive WhatsApp updates" (optional checkbox).
- My Account page also lets users opt in/out any time.
- Opt-in status stored in user meta, timestamped for audit.
Triggers:
1. Order shipped (WC status "shipped" if tracking plugin enables it, else "completed"): template "order_shipped" with params {customer_name, order_id, tracking_number}.
2. Abandoned cart 1h: template "abandoned_cart" with params {customer_name, recovery_link}.
3. Appointment reminder 24h before (if WC Bookings or custom CPT): template "appointment_reminder" with params {date, time, location}.
Templates must be pre-approved in Meta Business Manager; the plugin ships sample template names and expects admin to paste the matching approved names.
Rate limiting: Meta Cloud allows up to 80 messages/second; the plugin batches safely.
Opt-out: reply STOP → update user meta + log timestamp. Subsequent messages suppressed.
HPOS-compatible. Admin log of last 100 sends.What the generated plugin typically includes
- Meta Cloud API client via wp_remote_post with Bearer auth
- Opt-in UI on checkout, account page, and first-time signup form
- Consent audit log (who opted in, when, how)
- Template sender with parameter substitution matching WhatsApp's format
- STOP handler receiving webhooks and suppressing future sends
- 24-hour session window tracking (free-form allowed only within 24h of customer inbound)
- Admin log with status per send (sent / delivered / read / failed)
Swap to Twilio WhatsApp API, 360dialog, MessageBird, Vonage. Template flow differs slightly per provider.
Frequently asked questions
Which API should I use?
Meta Cloud API for EU/most cases (free to start, direct from Meta). Twilio if you already have Twilio for SMS (consistent billing). 360dialog or MessageBird if you need a reseller with local support.
Do I need template pre-approval?
Yes, WhatsApp Business Platform requires templates to be pre-approved in Meta Business Manager. We guide you on the template structure; you submit once from Meta Business and paste the approved name in the plugin settings.
What about opt-in compliance?
The plugin refuses to send to any number without a logged opt-in event. It also respects STOP replies and logs an opt-out timestamp. This satisfies WhatsApp's Business Platform policy and most national messaging regulations.
Can I reply inbound messages?
The plugin captures inbound webhook events so you can act on them (logs them + fires an action hook). A full conversational UI is bigger scope — mention it in the prompt and we scope the MVP.