Platform Release

December 2022 Updates: Zapier 2.0, Incoming Webhook Trigger, Growth Widgets and a Virus-scanning Feature

Petrina Jo
January 6, 2023

It’s just one week into 2023 so it’s not too late to wish you a Happy New Year! 🎊 Before we dive into the overview of features released in this past month, we’d like to take a moment to thank you for being part of our 2022 journey.

To recap, it was a year of tremendous growth for us, from releasing 17 platform languages alongside a whirlwind of new features to securing $7 million in Series A funding. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you and we look forward to serving you better in 2023.

On that note, let’s take a look at the new respond.io features you might have come across recently, including Zapier 2.0, a new webhooks trigger, a revamped widgets module and the new virus-scanning feature for the platform.

Automate More Processes with Zapier 2.0

The new and improved Zapier integration is now available! 🥳 Here’s your ticket to building more comprehensive automation with over 5,000 applications. Updates include more triggers and a host of actions between the applications and respond.io to make more processes autonomous.

The new Zapier templates for the respond.io integration

To get the new version of the Zapier integration, go to Settings > Integration > Zapier and generate an API key that will authenticate your Zapier account with respond.io.

New Zapier Triggers

Previously, the Zapier integration with respond.io only supported two triggers: New contact created and New or updated custom field. Now, a variety of use cases are possible with these new triggers:

  • New incoming or outgoing message
  • Conversation opened or closed
  • New contact is added
  • Existing contact is updated
  • Contact tag is updated
  • Contact assignee is updated
  • New comment is added for a contact

New Zapier Actions

The legacy Zapier integration also didn’t allow external applications to perform actions on respond.io. This update enables third-party applications to execute actions on respond.io and vice versa. Actions include:

  • Create, update, find or delete a contact
  • Send a message
  • Add a comment
  • Add or remove a tag
  • Update assignee
  • Update conversation status

And many more!

Check out the Zapier and repond.io integration to explore all the available triggers and actions, as well as templates to help you get started with popular applications such as Hubspot, Shopify, Magento, Salesforce and Pipedrive among others.

Fret not, existing users — Zaps that currently use the legacy Zapier integration will continue to run until its deprecation on March 22nd. To ensure no disruption to your workflows, we encourage you to update all Zaps to access the new triggers and actions.

Trigger Workflows with Incoming Webhooks

Respond.io’s Workflows receives a powerful upgrade: The ability to trigger Workflows externally via webhooks. 💪

Previously, Workflows could only be triggered by events within the respond.io platform, such as new conversations or Contact Tag updates. With the new Incoming Webhook Trigger, events in external applications like CRMs or Shopify can trigger Workflows through incoming webhooks (HTTP POST requests).

The new Incoming Webhook Trigger

This allows you to sync information between platforms, prompt actions on respond.io or send messages to Contacts about events on third-party platforms. For instance, you could build a Workflow to update contacts’ respond.io profiles whenever their information is updated in Hubspot.

Check out how to configure this Trigger here.

Save Information Passed in Workflows as Variables

Want to save data received in incoming webhooks? It’s now possible, and you can even use these data values as variables in a Workflow. 🤩

Save data values as Workflow variables

For instance, you can create an order confirmation Workflow that saves Shopify order numbers as variables. The Workflow will send customers a confirmation message with their order number whenever they make a purchase.

The Incoming Webhook Trigger is only available for the Business plan and above.

Grow Leads with Website Widgets

To help you grow your customer base, we’ve built a dedicated module to convert website visitors to respond.io contacts.

If you use website chat, you know the struggle: Visitors can remain anonymous or fill in fake details in contact forms, the chat ends as soon as they leave the site and chat history often isn’t saved. With the new Growth Widgets Module, you’ll never lose a lead again. 😎

Create website chat widgets to capture leads

The Growth Widgets Module is located under Settings > Workspace Settings.

It allows you to create and manage messaging widgets on your website so visitors can connect with you on their favorite messaging apps. Not only is this convenient for them, but it also ensures their contact details and chat history are saved on respond.io.

Let’s explore some of these cool widgets.

Single Channel Widget

If you want site visitors to chat with you on a particular channel (e.g. WhatsApp), create a single channel widget. We support widely popular messaging channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Viber, LINE and more.

Multichannel Widget

Display all your messaging channels in one widget! The multichannel widget allows you to add connected messaging channels on respond.io into the chat button so website visitors can select their preferred channel. 🌟

Allow customers to choose their preferred messaging channel with the multichannel widget

Find out how to set up the multichannel widget here.

QR Code Generator

We’ve upgraded and relocated the QR code generator! We moved it from the Channels Module to the Growth Widgets Module for more intuitive access.

Generate QR codes effortlessly

As part of the upgrade, you can now generate QR codes for all connected channels quickly. Just select the channels from a dropdown list, instead of having to reconfigure the ID for each channel.

Finally, we’ve also improved the visibility of the channel icons in your website chat. Get the full details here.

Enjoy Enhanced Protection From Viruses

Finally, we are pleased to announce that the respond.io platform now has a virus-scanning feature.🛡️

All files uploaded to and received on the platform will be automatically scanned for viruses. If a virus is detected, the file will be inaccessible immediately. Users who attempt to click on or open the affected file will see an “Access Denied” error screen.

This ensures a more secure user experience for all respond.io users. The feature has already been implemented and requires no input or actions on your part.

Petrina Jo
Content Team Lead
Petrina Jo is a Content Team Lead at respond.io. She has an MA in Creative Entrepreneurship and a BA in Journalism. Petrina’s previous role as a senior writer at a luxury publication gave her unique insights into the evolving dynamics of high-value customer communication.
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