How to Use ManyChat to Grow Your Business in 2026

by | Last updated Jan 8, 2026

How to Use ManyChat

Are you buried under customer messages?

You likely miss questions and lose sales because you cannot reply fast enough.

It is stressful to check Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp all day.

If you make customers wait, they just go to your competitors.

You simply cannot be online 24/7. ManyChat solves this problem.

It is a tool that talks to customers for you.

It handles messages and sends texts automatically, even while you sleep.

Here is how to use ManyChat to save time and grow your business.

Manychat
ManyChat

Ready to save time & boost your marketing with live customer conversation? Millions of businesses use ManyChat to connect with customers. Explore it today!

How to Use Multi-Channel Messaging

Your customers are everywhere. Some love Instagram.

Others use WhatsApp or Facebook.

Multi-channel messaging fixes this. It puts all your chats in one place.

This makes lead generation much easier. You can see every chat on your ManyChat dashboard.

By using a ManyChat bot, you stay organized.

You can even add a chat bubble to your own website.

Manychat Multi Channel Messaging

Step-by-Step: Connecting Your Channels

Follow these steps to link your accounts. It only takes a few minutes.

  • Step 1: Create your manychat account. Go to the website and sign up. You can start with the free version to learn the ropes.
  • Step 2: Connect your business facebook page. In your settings, find the “Channels” tab. Click on the button to link your facebook page.
  • Step 3: Set up facebook messenger. ManyChat will ask for permission to talk to your followers. Click “Agree” to link your messenger bot.
  • Step 4: Open the visual flow builder. This is a map where you plan your chats. It is very easy to use. Just drag and drop boxes to create automated messages.
  • Step 5: Create a welcome message. This is the first thing people see when they text you. Use it to say hello and offer help.
  • Step 6: Use manychat growth tools. These tools help you send automated messages to new people. They help you get more followers on every channel.
Youtube Video

How to Create Interactive Chatbots

A chatbot is like having a helper who never sleeps.

When you connect your Facebook page to ManyChat, you can start building these helpers.

Interactive bots make your brand feel alive.

They don’t just send one text and stop.

They create a conversation. You can even set them up to reply to Facebook posts automatically.

This means if someone asks a question on your wall, the bot can jump in to help.

It is a great way to keep people interested in your business.

Youtube Video

Step-by-Step: Building First Automation Flow

  • Step 1: Give manychat access to your social accounts. Go to your chat settings to make sure everything is turned on and ready to go.
  • Step 2: Choose how the bot starts. You can use facebook comments as a trigger. This means when someone comments on your post, the bot sends them a message.
  • Step 3: Try using a messenger ref url. This is a special link you can put anywhere. When people click it, your bot starts talking to them immediately.
  • Step 4: Write your first message. Keep it simple. Ask the user a question so they have something to answer.
  • Step 5: Use custom user fields to remember things. Your bot can save a user’s favorite color or their email address. This makes the chat feel personal.
  • Step 6: Set up manychat sequences. These are a series of messages sent over a few days. It helps you stay in touch with customers without doing extra work.
  • Step 7: Check your live chat settings. If a customer needs a real human, they can ask for one. You can then take over the chat yourself whenever you want.
ManyChat Chatbot For Automate Your Messages with Manychat

How to Use SMS Marketing

SMS marketing is a game-changer for your business.

Most people check their text messages within minutes.

This makes it much faster than email.

It is a great way to automate conversations that usually take up your time.

Just remember to always ask for permission first.

People only want texts from brands they trust.

Manychat SMS Marketing

Step-by-Step: Setting Up an SMS Campaign

  • Step 1: You need to setup manychat for SMS specifically. Go to your settings and find the SMS tab. You will usually need a pro account to use this feature.
  • Step 2: Connect your business facebook to verify who you are. This helps keep your messages safe and professional.
  • Step 3: Open the flow builder. This is the same tool you use for Messenger. It makes it very easy to plan your text messages.
  • Step 4: You can add an SMS step to an existing flow. For example, if someone is talking to your bot on Facebook, ask for their phone number there.
  • Step 5: Use the tool to create custom fields. This lets you save the phone numbers in a organized list so you don’t lose them.
  • Step 6: If you have the free version, you might see manychat branding on your messages. Upgrading removes this so the texts look like they come only from you.
  • Step 7: Watch some manychat tutorials if you get stuck. The community has many videos that show you how to write the perfect text message.
Youtube Video

Key Tips for Success

Using ManyChat is exciting, but you want to do it the right way.

Here are some simple tips to help you get the best results:

  • Keep it Human: Even though a bot is talking, use a friendly tone. Use emojis to show personality. People like feeling like they are talking to a friend.
  • Don’t Spam: Only send messages to people who want them. If you send too many texts or DMs, people will block you. Quality is better than quantity.
  • Test Everything: Before you send a flow to customers, test it on your own phone. Click every button to make sure it goes to the right place.
  • Check Live Chat Daily: Bots are smart, but they aren’t perfect. Sometimes a person needs a human. Check your inbox once a day to help anyone who got stuck.
  • Start Small: You don’t need a huge system on day one. Start with one simple welcome message and grow from there.

ManyChat Alternatives

While ManyChat is a popular choice, it’s always good to explore other options.

Here are a few ManyChat alternatives worth considering:

  • Chatfuel: Another popular chatbot platform known for its user-friendly interface and visual flow builder.
  • MobileMonkey: Offers omnichannel marketing automation with a focus on Facebook Messenger and Instagram.
  • Botsify: Provides a drag-and-drop interface and AI capabilities for building intelligent chatbots.
  • Tars: Focuses on conversational landing pages and lead generation through interactive chatbots.
  • Flow XO: A versatile platform that allows you to build chatbots for various platforms and integrate them with other tools.

Each of these alternatives has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s worth exploring them to see which one aligns best with your specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Now you know how to use ManyChat to grow.

This chatbot technology is a great way to build conversations with ease.

First, go to the left sidebar and select connect to link your pages. Then, set up a greeting text to welcome new fans.

ManyChat lets you collect leads and save phone numbers in custom fields. This builds a strong contact list for your brand.

By using an automatic reply, you improve your conversion rates.

You can track user movement to see what people like. If the bot gets stuck, the default reply helps guide them.

From a single messenger button to the whole bot, ManyChat offers everything you need.

Use these growth tools today and watch your business succeed!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ManyChat and how does it work?

ManyChat is an automation tool for messenger apps. It uses a bot to send a message or quick replies to your customers automatically to help you grow.

Is ManyChat hard to learn?

No, it is easy! You can get started for free and use a new flow to create paths. It is simpler than other tools because of its visual builder.

How do I set up a chatbot on ManyChat?

First, link your page. Then, use the builder to make responses based on what a user clicks. ManyChat delivers the tools to make your chatbot’s effectiveness high.

Can you use ManyChat for free?

Yes! You can create a basic bot with the free plan. It helps you collect leads and talk to your subscriber base without paying a dime.

How to setup ManyChat for Instagram?

Go to settings and select connect for Instagram. You can then trigger a message when someone interacts with your post or sends a DM to your messenger.

What is the 24-hour rule for ManyChat?

This rule means you can send a message only within 24 hours of a user’s last message. This ensures a good experience when a message starts a chat.

What is a ManyChat sequence?

A sequence is a set of automated messages. Once a user chooses to opt in, the bot sends them a quick overview or tips over several days.

More Facts about ManyChat

  • No Coding Needed: You can build a smart chatbot using a visual map called a Flow Builder without knowing how to write computer code.
  • Easy Sign-Up: To start, you just click Get Started Free and log in with your Facebook account, but you must be an admin of your business page.
  • Two Ways to Pay: There is a Free version for newbies & a Pro version for businesses that want more tools and customization.
  • Updated Pricing: The Pro version starts at $15 a month for your first 500 subscribers. If you grow to 2,500 subscribers, the price moves up to $25 a month.
  • Subscriber Limits: The Free version lets you test the basics, but it has a limit on how many contacts you can keep in your list.
  • Pro Superpowers: Paying for Pro lets you use advanced tools like Tags to organize your fans and Zapier to connect ManyChat to other apps.
  • Automatic Messages: You can set up sequences, which are a string of messages that send on their own, similar to how an email newsletter works.
  • Smart Replies: You can create a Default Reply so your bot can still answer if someone asks a question it hasn’t learned yet.
  • Many Ways to Talk: ManyChat works across different apps like Messenger, SMS text messages, and Email, so you can reach people anywhere.
  • New Marketing Tools: In 2026, the app will use Marketing Messages to help businesses send better updates to their followers on Messenger.
  • Progress Tracking: You can use the analytics dashboard to see exactly how many new people are joining your chat and if they like your messages.

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