WhatsApp Messaging Flows “Menu” step

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > WhatsApp > Messaging Flows > WhatsApp Messaging Flows - “Menu” step

WhatsApp Messaging Flows - "Menu" Step

Introduction

The Menu step in WhatsApp Messaging Flows is a pivotal feature within the ActiveCampaign platform that enables businesses to create interactive messaging experiences. This feature allows you to compose a message or question and provide response options that contacts can select. It effectively facilitates engagement by guiding users through different paths in a conversation based on their responses. This step is essential for various purposes, such as assessing customer satisfaction, guiding customers regarding their orders, or directing users toward specific services. By leveraging the Menu step, businesses can enhance user experiences and streamline communication.

How to Access this Feature

To access the Menu step within WhatsApp Messaging Flows, follow these simple steps: 1. Navigate to WhatsApp > Messaging Flows on the left menu of your ActiveCampaign dashboard. 2. Either edit an existing Messaging Flow or create a new one:

  * For editing: Click on the desired flow, click Update, then select Steps. 
  * To add the Menu step, click a node (+) in the builder where you wish to place it, and a modal window will appear. Then, select the Menu option and click the Add button.
  * For creating a new flow: A modal window will appear in the Flow builder. Click the Menu option, then click the Add button.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Once you've accessed the Menu step modal, follow these detailed instructions to configure your menu:

1. **Step Name**: Click the pencil icon and provide a name for your step. It is recommended to select unique and descriptive names for clarity.

2. **Message Composition**: Enter the message that will be displayed when contacts reach this step in your flow. You can personalize your message by clicking the lightning button to include contact, account, deal fields, or custom variables specific to WhatsApp messaging.

3. **Response Options Presentation**: Decide how your answer options will appear. You have several formats to choose from:

  * **Buttons** – Interactive buttons that showcase up to three options, each with a 20-character limit.
  * **List of options** – Dropdown options where you can have up to ten titles, each limited to 20 characters. Additionally, you can include a description for each option with a maximum of 65 characters.
  * **Emojis** – Options represented as a text-based list using number emojis (e.g., 1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣).
  * **Numbers** – Options displayed as an ordered, text-based numerical list (e.g., 1, 2, 3).

4. **Creating Response Options**: Enter the options you want contacts to select in the provided field.

  * To add more options, click the + Add option button.
  * To remove an option, click the X.

5. **Fallback Message**: Provide a fallback message that appears if the user's response does not match any available options. This is a required field where you might include instructions, such as “Please select one of the options above” or “Select an option to proceed”.

6. **Optional Settings**: Enable additional functionalities by toggling the options below:

  * Go to another step if the user doesn’t answer correctly – Specify the number of incorrect attempts allowed before directing the user down a different path.
  * Go to another step if the user doesn’t respond within a certain time limit – Set a maximum wait time before proceeding to the next step, useful for sending reminders or adding agents to conversations.
  * Do something if the message fails to send? – Activate this to define further steps if the message fails to deliver.

Configuration Options and Settings

When configuring the Menu step, you have several important options to consider, including:

• **Step Name**: A unique identifier for the step.
• **Message**: The text displayed to users.
• **Response Formats**: Choose from Buttons, List of options, Emojis, or Numbers.
• **Response Options**: The specific selections given to users.
• **Fallback Message**: Guidance for users if they do not choose an available option.
• **Toggles for Additional Features**: Including options for incorrect responses, time limits, and failure responses.

Best Practices and Tips

To maximize the effectiveness of the Menu step in your Messaging Flows:

• Use clear and concise language in both your message and response options to minimize confusion.
• Personalize messages using contact and account fields to enhance engagement.
• Keep response options limited to avoid overwhelming users with too many choices.
• Consider user experience by implementing helpful fallback messages to guide users correctly.
• Test the flow to ensure all paths function as intended before deploying it to your customers.

Common Use Cases

The Menu step can be used in a variety of scenarios:

• **Customer Satisfaction Surveys**: After completing a purchase, you can ask users to rate their experience.
• **Order Tracking**: Direct users to choose options related to shipping updates or issues.
• **Product Recommendations**: Provide options for users to select categories of interest for personalized marketing.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with the Menu step:

• Verify that all required fields, such as the fallback message, are filled out correctly.
• Ensure that your response options do not exceed character limits.
• Test the Flow to check for unexpected results or dead ends in user paths.

Related Features

To enhance your understanding of related functionalities, you may want to explore:

• Messaging Flows
• WhatsApp Integrations
• Custom Variables for WhatsApp

FAQ

Q1: How many response options can I include in a Menu step? A1: You can include up to three options if using buttons or up to ten options if using a dropdown list.

Q2: How can I personalize the message in the Menu step? A2: Personalization can be achieved by clicking the lightning button within the message field.

Q3: What happens if a user selects an option not provided? A3: The fallback message you specified will be displayed to guide them back on track.

Q4: Can I use emojis as response options? A4: Yes, you can display options as text-based lists using number emojis.

Q5: Is there a limit to how long my fallback message can be? A5: There are no specified character limits for the fallback message mentioned in the documentation.

Q6: How do I prevent users from getting stuck if they answer incorrectly? A6: Use the toggle option for "Go to another step if the user doesn’t answer the question correctly" to redirect users if needed.

Q7: Can I test my Menu step before going live? A7: Yes, it is highly recommended to test the flow to ensure it works as intended.

By effectively utilizing the Menu step in your WhatsApp Messaging Flows, you can greatly enhance your communication strategies and user interactions. ```