Overview

ChatVector connects WhatsApp Business conversations to Google Ads clicks using reference codes. No API required - works with the standard WhatsApp Business app.

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Requirements

• Website with a button somewhere that will open a window to chat in WhatsApp
• WhatsApp Business app
• Google Ads account
• ChatVector account

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Step 1: Install the tracking script on your website

Add the ChatVector tracking script to your website. Full installation details and your unique script tag are available in your ChatVector dashboard.

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The script automatically detects any button or link that opens WhatsApp and injects a unique reference code into the message. No need to modify your existing WhatsApp buttons.

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Step 2: How tracking works

When a visitor arrives from Google Ads:

1. Script captures the gclid parameter from the URL
2. Stores gclid in localStorage
3. Generates a unique reference code (e.g. CV847291)
4. Sends tracking data to ChatVector

When a visitor clicks your WhatsApp button:

1. Script intercepts the click
2. Prepends reference code to the message
3. Opens WhatsApp with modified message

Example message:

[Ref: CV847291] Hi, I'd like to enquire about your services

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At this point, you'll see the reference code and GCLID in your ChatVector dashboard. It should be noted that this happens regardless of whether the visitor actually sent a message or not. ChatVector only knows they clicked the WhatsApp button. Step 3 is where the user "tells" ChatVector whether a message was sent and whether it is worth marking as a conversion in Google Ads.

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Step 3: Qualify leads

When a customer messages you, you need to tell ChatVector which leads are worth tracking.

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Rule of thumb

‍Only qualify leads you want more of. If someone is asking about jobs, or enquiring about services you don't offer, don't qualify them. This trains Google Ads to find more of the right customers.

In our experience, despite all the different smart bidding strategies viable in Google Ads, and different ways to set things up, one thing holds true: quality beats quantity.

If you have a choice between sending 20 conversions (with 5 of them being junk) or sending 10 clean conversions, send the 10. We've seen time and again that volume doesn't cancel out noise. Google's algorithm learns from everything you feed it. Keep the signal clean.

That being said, even sending a signal to Google for every message received will be vastly superior to sending a signal for every time a visitor clicks on your WhatsApp chat button on your website (regardless of whether they send a message)

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While the standard WhatsApp business app lacks automation here to send us the message automatically, we have two ways for you to tell us which leads count and the one occurs inside WhatsApp where customers are being answered in any case.

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Option A: Forward to ChatVector on WhatsApp (easiest)

Simply forward the customer's original message (must contain the reference) to ChatVector's support number on WhatsApp:

+230 5806 2293

That's it. ChatVector extracts the reference code and qualifies the lead automatically.

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Option B: Web dashboard

1. Copy the reference code from the message (e.g. CV847291)
2. Go to the ChatVector Dashboard : https://app.chatvector.co/dashboard
3. Search for the reference code
4. Click "Qualify"'
5. If a lead results in payment, there is also a button "Paid" which will allow you to enter the monetary value for uploading back to Google.

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Works on laptop or phone.

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Step 4: Sync to Google Ads

Now that ChatVector knows which leads you want Google to send you more of, we can inform Google by sending them the appropriate gclid corresponding with the reference in the customer message.

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How conversions reach Google Ads depends on your plan:

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Free plan

1. Go to the ChatVector Dashboard
2. Click "Export CSV"
3. Upload to Google Ads via offline conversion import

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Starter & Business plans

Automatic. Once you connect Google Ads in the ChatVector dashboard, qualified leads sync in the background automatically. No manual work is required for this here.

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Data flow

Visitor clicks Google Ad
   ↓
Lands on your site (gclid captured)
   ↓
Clicks WhatsApp button (ref code added)
   ↓
Sends WhatsApp message
   ↓
You forward message to ChatVector (or qualify via dashboard)
   ↓
Conversion syncs to Google Ads (auto or CSV)

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For any further questions feel free to get in touch over email on support@chatvector.co or via our WhatsApp number.

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