Unified Messaging Hub

What it does

The Unified Messaging Hub connects all your communication channels — WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram — into one central inbox. Every conversation with guests, property owners, and your team flows into Vanio, with smart routing that automatically replies on whichever platform they contacted you from. The system also detects which messaging apps each person uses, so you always know the best way to reach them.

Getting started

Setting up your first messaging channel

1. Go to Settings → Integrations in your Vanio dashboard
2. Click Messaging in the integrations list
3. Choose which platform to connect first:
   • Facebook Messenger & Instagram: Click "Connect Facebook" and log in with your business account
   • WhatsApp Business: Click "Connect WhatsApp" and scan the QR code with your phone
   • Telegram: Create a bot token and paste it in the "Connect Telegram" field
   • Viber: Enter your Viber bot credentials

[Screenshot: Integration settings page showing messaging platform options with connect buttons]

4. For each platform, choose the purpose (Guest communications, Owner communications, Sales, Operations, etc.)
5. Give your connection a display name to identify it in your inbox
6. Click Save to activate the integration

Accessing your unified inbox

1. Navigate to Messages in your main dashboard
2. All conversations from every connected platform appear in one feed
3. Each message shows which platform it came from with a small icon
4. Click any conversation to reply — your response automatically goes out on the same platform

[Screenshot: Unified inbox showing mixed conversations from different platforms with platform icons]

How it works

Automatic message routing

When someone messages you on any connected platform, Vanio automatically:

• Routes the message to the appropriate inbox based on its purpose (guest, owner, sales, etc.)
• Creates a unified conversation thread, even if they switch between platforms
• Shows you their contact details and property history alongside the conversation

Presence detection

Vanio tracks which messaging apps each contact uses and when they were last active:

• See at a glance whether someone prefers WhatsApp, Telegram, or Messenger
• The system suggests the best platform to reach them based on their recent activity
• Contact profiles show all the platforms where they're reachable

[Screenshot: Contact profile showing presence indicators for multiple messaging platforms]

Cross-platform conversations

If a guest starts a conversation on Instagram and later messages you on WhatsApp, Vanio automatically:

• Links both conversations to the same contact
• Maintains full message history across platforms
• Lets you choose which platform to use for your reply

Key features

• Single inbox: All messages from WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, Messenger, and Instagram in one place • Smart routing: Messages automatically go to the right team member based on purpose and property • Presence detection: See which platforms each contact uses and when they were last active • Auto-reply matching: Your responses go out on whichever platform the person used to contact you • Cross-platform linking: Conversations from the same person across different apps get connected automatically • Purpose-based organization: Separate channels for guest communications, owner updates, sales inquiries, and operations • Rich contact profiles: See someone's full message history and preferred communication channels • Team collaboration: Multiple team members can access the same unified inbox with proper permissions

Tips & best practices

Setting up multiple accounts

• Connect separate accounts for different purposes (one WhatsApp for guests, another for owners)
• Use clear display names like "Guest Support - WhatsApp" or "Owner Updates - Telegram"
• Different team members can manage different channels while sharing the unified inbox

Managing high message volume

• Set up automated responses for common inquiries on each platform
• Use the purpose-based routing to distribute messages across your team
• Check the presence indicators before sending important messages to ensure you're using their preferred platform

Guest communication strategy

• Connect the platforms your guests actually use — check your current booking channels to see where messages come from
• Keep your WhatsApp Business profile updated with your property management company details
• Use Instagram for visual updates and Messenger for quick support questions

Owner and team communication

• Telegram works well for internal team updates and quick coordination
• Viber is popular in certain regions — check what your local property owners prefer
• Set up separate channels for urgent vs. routine communications

Common questions

What happens if I get messages while Vanio is being updated? All messages are queued and processed automatically. Nothing gets lost, and you'll see everything in your inbox once the update completes.

Can I still use these apps normally on my phone? Yes, completely. Vanio only handles messages sent to your business accounts. Your personal messaging continues as normal, and you can still send personal messages from your phone.

What if a guest has multiple properties with me? Vanio automatically links their messages to the relevant property based on context and booking history. If they're discussing multiple properties, you'll see the full relationship in their contact profile, and you can tag messages to specific properties as needed.