Bot Flow Builder
Design advanced WhatsApp chatbot conversation flows using the WAB2C visual drag-and-drop flow builder. Create multi-step automated conversations with conditional branching, button-based interactions, and trigger-based workflows without writing any code.
What is Bot Flow Builder?
The Bot Flow Builder is a visual no-code tool within WAB2C that lets you design complex WhatsApp chatbot conversation flows. Unlike the simpler Message Bot (keyword-to-reply) or Template Bot (keyword-to-template), the Bot Flow Builder supports multi-step conversation trees with conditional branching, enabling sophisticated customer engagement scenarios.
Visual Drag-and-Drop
Design flows visually by connecting nodes on a canvas
Conditional Branching
Route conversations based on user responses or data
No-Code Automation
Build sophisticated bots without any programming
Flow Builder Interface
The Bot Flow Builder interface consists of a main canvas area where you design your flow, a left-side node palette for dragging nodes onto the canvas, and a right-side properties panel for configuring the selected node.
Screenshot 1 - Bot Flow Builder Canvas
Full view of the Bot Flow Builder interface showing the node palette on the left, main canvas with connected flow nodes in the center, and properties panel on the right.
Interface Components
Node Palette (Left Panel)
Contains all available node types that can be dragged onto the canvas: triggers, messages, conditions, delays, and actions.
Flow Canvas (Center)
The main workspace where nodes are connected to form the conversation flow. Supports zoom, pan, and multi-select.
Properties Panel (Right)
Displays configuration options for the currently selected node, including message text, button labels, conditions, and variables.
Toolbar (Top)
Save, publish, test, undo/redo, zoom controls, and flow settings.
Node Types
Each node in a flow represents a step in the conversation. WAB2C Bot Flow Builder supports several node types for building comprehensive chatbot interactions.
Screenshot 2 - Available Node Types Panel
Node palette showing all available node types: Trigger, Send Message, Ask Question, Condition, Delay, Action, and API Call nodes with descriptive icons.
Trigger Node
Entry point of the flow. Activates when a user sends a matching keyword or clicks a button. Each flow starts with at least one trigger.
Send Message Node
Sends a text message, image, video, document, or location to the user. Supports WhatsApp formatting and merge fields.
Ask Question Node
Sends a message and waits for user input. Supports text replies, button selections, and list menus. The response is stored as a variable.
Condition Node
Evaluates a condition based on user data, previous responses, or variables. Routes the flow to different branches based on the result.
Delay Node
Pauses the flow for a specified duration (seconds, minutes, hours, or days) before proceeding to the next node.
Action Node
Performs operations like assigning a contact to a group, updating a custom field, changing lead status, or triggering an external webhook.
Menu Node
Presents an interactive list or button menu for the user to select from. Each option can branch to a different path.
Sub-Flow Node
Calls another saved flow as a sub-routine. Useful for reusable conversation segments like FAQ responses.
Creating a New Flow
Follow these steps to create a new chatbot flow in WAB2C:
Screenshot 3 - New Flow Creation Wizard
Flow creation wizard showing flow name input, description field, trigger keyword configuration, and initial canvas setup with a trigger node.
Navigate to Bot Flow Builder
Go to Marketing Automation > Bot Flow Builder from the Tenant Area sidebar menu.
Click 'Create New Flow'
Enter a descriptive name for your flow (e.g., 'Customer Onboarding', 'FAQ Bot', 'Order Status Check').
Set Trigger Keywords
Define the keywords or phrases that will activate this flow when a user sends them (e.g., 'hello', 'start', 'help').
Add Nodes to Canvas
Drag nodes from the palette onto the canvas and connect them by drawing lines between output and input ports.
Configure Each Node
Click on a node to open its properties panel. Set message text, button labels, conditions, delays, and actions.
Connect the Flow
Link nodes together by dragging from one node's output port to another node's input port. Use condition nodes for branching.
Save and Test
Save your flow and use the Test Mode to simulate conversations before publishing it to production.
Conditional Branching
Condition nodes allow your bot to make decisions based on user responses, contact data, or variables. This enables dynamic conversation paths that adapt to each user.
Screenshot 4 - Conditional Branching Flow
Flow canvas showing a condition node with multiple branches: "If user selects Option A" goes to one path, "If user selects Option B" goes to another, and "Default" handles unmatched responses.
Condition Types
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Button Response | Checks which button the user clicked | If button = "Pricing" go to pricing flow |
| Text Contains | Checks if user message contains specific text | If message contains "urgent" route to priority |
| Contact Field | Evaluates a contact property | If lead status = "Qualified" send offer |
| Variable Value | Compares a stored flow variable | If order_count > 5 apply loyalty discount |
| Default | Fallback when no conditions match | Send "Sorry, I didn't understand" message |
Testing & Activation
Before deploying your flow to live users, test it thoroughly using the built-in simulator.
Screenshot 5 - Bot Flow Test Mode
Test mode showing a simulated WhatsApp conversation on the left, with the flow canvas on the right highlighting the current active node in the conversation path.
Test Mode Features
- Simulated WhatsApp conversation interface
- Real-time flow path visualization
- Variable value inspection
- Error detection and warnings
Publishing a Flow
- Click "Publish" after successful testing
- Flow becomes active for incoming messages
- Existing conversations are not interrupted
- Toggle flows on/off without deleting them
Best Practices
Keep Flows Simple
Break complex scenarios into multiple smaller flows connected via Sub-Flow nodes.
Always Add Fallbacks
Include default branches on every condition node to handle unexpected user inputs gracefully.
Use Descriptive Names
Name your nodes and flows descriptively so team members can understand the logic at a glance.
Test Every Path
Walk through every possible conversation branch in Test Mode before publishing.
Leverage Merge Fields
Use dynamic data from contacts to personalize messages and make conversations feel natural.
Monitor Performance
Review bot analytics regularly to identify drop-off points and optimize conversation flows.