Why it matters
Click-to-WhatsApp ads work because they remove friction: the customer messages you in the app they already have open, without filling in a form. That advantage disappears if nobody answers. Most small businesses reply when they can: between jobs, in the evening, the next morning. By then the interest has cooled and the person has often spoken to a competitor.
An agent that replies within a couple of minutes doesn't sell your product for you, but it makes sure every pound of ad spend reaches a real conversation. It asks one question at a time, records what each lead said and stops to hand over as soon as someone wants a call, a price negotiation or to buy. What happens after hours is covered in after-hours replies. If you want the qualifying part in detail, see WhatsApp lead qualification.
Frequently asked questions
Does it work with Meta's click-to-WhatsApp ads?
Yes. The message from the ad arrives in your WhatsApp like any other chat, often with the ad's pre-filled text, and the agent replies to it.
How quickly does it reply?
It waits about a minute in case the person sends several messages in a row, then answers all of them together. Faster than that tends to feel robotic.
Do I need the WhatsApp Business API to run these ads?
No. Click-to-WhatsApp ads can point to a number on the WhatsApp Business app. MultiChats links that number by QR, like WhatsApp Web, so it stays on your phone.
What if the lead asks something the agent doesn't know?
It says it will check, flags the conversation as "needs a human" and you get an alert. It never makes up prices, stock or dates.