Questions business owners ask us
The questions salon owners, clinics, tradespeople and guest houses ask us most, answered by the founder. New ones are added as people ask.
By Sizo Gugushe, founder of Futnor · Updated
Getting started
How long does setup take?
About five minutes, and you can do it all on your phone. Show it your price list (paste a link, upload a photo, or type it), connect your WhatsApp Business number with one button, and it starts answering.
Do I need a new WhatsApp number?
No. It connects to the WhatsApp Business number you already use, through Meta's official WhatsApp Business Platform. Your chats and contacts stay yours, and customers do not download anything.
I use normal WhatsApp, not WhatsApp Business. Can I still use it?
It connects to a WhatsApp Business number. The WhatsApp Business app is free, and WhatsApp lets it take over the same number you already use. If you get stuck, WhatsApp us and we will walk you through it.
Can I set it up without a laptop?
Yes. Everything works on a phone. The Facebook sign-in to connect your number takes about a minute.
How it answers
What languages does it speak?
It answers in the language your customer writes in. It is built and tested most in English, isiZulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, isiXhosa and Setswana, including the way people mix them with English in one message.
Will it make up prices or information?
No. It only answers from the prices and rules you give it. Anything you have not taught it goes straight to you instead of being guessed.
What if I don't like an answer it gave?
Tap Teach on that message, write what you would have said, and it uses your words from the next message on.
Can I jump into a chat myself?
Yes. You can take over any chat, any time, with one tap. Messages you type yourself are free.
Does it understand voice notes?
Yes. It listens to voice notes, understands them and replies properly.
When does it pass a chat to me?
Refunds, complaints, anything medical or unusual, and anything you have not taught it. You get the chat in seconds, with the conversation attached.
Bookings and payments
Can it book appointments into my calendar?
Yes. Connect Google Calendar and it checks when you are free, offers only those times, and writes the booking in without double-booking. You can also send customers your Calendly link.
Can it remind customers the day before?
Yes, with the reminders add-on (R250 a month). Every booked customer gets a WhatsApp reminder the day before.
Can it check proof of payment?
When a customer sends an EFT screenshot, it checks the account number and amount against yours and tells you if something looks off.
Pricing
How much does it cost?
There is a free-forever plan for about 30 customers a month. Paid plans run from R750 a month for about 120 customers up to R5,500 a month for about 1,200. No setup fee, no contract, no card needed to start.
What counts as a customer?
Plans count customers, not messages. Voice notes, photos and follow-ups are included, and anything you type yourself is free.
What happens if I get a very busy month?
You can switch on Never run out, so your assistant keeps answering on a busy month instead of stopping.
Can I cancel?
Yes, any time. There is no contract.
Where it works
Does it work in Lesotho?
Yes, the same way as in South Africa. It is Lesotho’s first Meta-approved WhatsApp AI assistant, built by a Mosotho founder. It replies in Sesotho or English, and prices are in rand, which is accepted in Lesotho.
Can businesses in other countries use it?
Yes. It works for businesses anywhere that use WhatsApp Business. Prices are in rand for every country, and cards from any country can pay.
What kinds of businesses use it?
Any business where the booking starts with "Hi, how much?": salons, barbers, nail techs, braiders, lash studios, clinics, dentists, guest houses, plumbers and electricians, car washes, tutors, driving schools, photographers, caterers and bakers.
Guides
- Best WhatsApp AI assistant in South Africa
- WhatsApp AI assistant for Lesotho
- WhatsApp AI assistant for African businesses
- WhatsApp bot for salons, barbers and nail techs
- WhatsApp assistant for clinics and dentists
- WhatsApp auto reply vs AI assistant
- WhatsApp chatbot pricing in South Africa
- WhatsApp assistant for guest houses and lodges
- WhatsApp assistant for plumbers and electricians
- Ka Sesotho: mothusi oa AI oa WhatsApp
Try it on your own WhatsApp
Free forever for about 30 customers a month. 7 days of the full Growth plan free. No card, no contract.
Start freeAsk us on WhatsApp