Create your first Amazon Alexa skill using Convoworks WordPress plugin and InstaWP – no server, no registration required
Tags: wordpress, alexa, tutorial, convoworks
Published: 2022-01-29 17:03:54

Don't have your own, or you don't want to bother with installing a new WordPress instance? Now you can try [Convoworks](https://convoworks.com/) using the <a href="https://instawp.io/">InstaWP</a>. InstaWP is a service that enables you to easily create and access a fresh WordPress installation that you can use to test or showcase plugin, theme ... no registration, no server required, only thing is that the website will be available for 8 hours.

<h3>Create InstaWP website</h3>
Just follow this <a href="https://app.instawp.io/onboard">link</a>, enter your subdomain and your site will be ready in a matter of seconds. Click on the "Access now" and login with the provided credentials.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/instawp-setup.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/instawp-setup-1024x615.png" alt="" width="1024" height="615" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2706" /></a>

Important: Navigate to "Settings/Permalinks" and select "Post name" in "Common Settings" section. This is not required if you are using a regular WordPress installation, but it is required when using InstaWP.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-permalinks.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-permalinks-1024x509.png" alt="" width="1024" height="509" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2707" /></a>

<h3>Add Convoworks WP</h3>
Once you have your WordPress website up, navigate to "Plugins/Add new", add and activate Convoworks WP.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-install-convo.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-install-convo-1024x474.png" alt="" width="1024" height="474" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2709" /></a>

After activation, you should end up on the Getting started view. From it you can access Amazon Alexa main settings page, start the new voice service or access related documentation pages.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-welcome-to-convo.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-welcome-to-convo.png" alt="" width="977" height="724" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2712" /></a>

<h3>Connect it to your Amazon developer account</h3>

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-amazon.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-amazon-1024x743.png" alt="" width="1024" height="743" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2715" /></a>
In order to create Alexa skills from your WordPress installation, we have to connect it to your amazon account. Please note that GUI provides you with the direct links on Amazon where you can find or set up required information.

First enter your Vendor ID which you can find <a href="https://developer.amazon.com/settings/console/mycid">here</a>. After that create a new <a href="https://developer.amazon.com/loginwithamazon/console/site/lwa/overview.html">security profile</a>. For test purposes, you can use any url for the "Consent Privacy Notice URL".

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amazon-security-create.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amazon-security-create-1024x599.png" alt="" width="1024" height="599" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2716" /></a>

Once it is created, go to its Web Settings and set "Allowed Origins" to your website domain and set "Allowed Return URLs" to the url provided at your Convoworks Amazon settings page - "Amazon Oauth Callback URL".

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amazon-security-web.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amazon-security-web-1024x601.png" alt="" width="1024" height="601" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2717" /></a>

Now use Client ID and Secret provided in the Amazon security profile and enter it to the Convoworks Amazon settings page. Press "Save", then "Connect" and you should be redirected to the Amazon consent screen. After you allow access, your Convoworks installation is ready.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amazon-consent.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/amazon-consent.png" alt="" width="691" height="688" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2719" /></a>


<h3>Create your first Alexa skill</h3>

Now that we have our installation ready, let's create our first voice application (Alexa skill). Navigate to Convoworks add a new service view, enter your application name and press "Submit". By default service is created from the "Basic Template" which has built in some necessary conversation features, so we can even test it.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-add-new-service.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-add-new-service-1024x693.png" alt="" width="1024" height="693" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2721" /></a>

Now we have to make it available through the Alexa devices. Navigate to Convoworks service configuration view and click on the Configure button on Amazon card below in the view. Once you are on the Amazon configuration view, just scroll to the bottom and press "Create". You'll notice in the top section "Building Amazon" text which will disappear in less than a minute.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-skill-config-top.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-skill-config-top.png" alt="" width="719" height="535" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2722" /></a>
<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-skill-config-amazon.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-skill-config-amazon.png" alt="" width="967" height="705" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2724" /></a>
Once the build is done, you can navigate to Convoworks Test view and try the service. Select "Amazon'' from the dropdown on top of the chat box. If you enter <em>Hi, Hello</em> it will respond that it works. If you enter something else, it will respond that it does not understand. It also supports help, start over and end session commands.

<a href="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-skill-test.png"><img src="https://convoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/wp-skill-test.png" alt="" width="996" height="653" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2725" /></a>

Our internal test view right now supports just text mode. You can also try your skill inside <a href="https://developer.amazon.com/alexa/console/ask">Amazon ASK console</a>, with your Alexa mobile application (available for iOS and Android) or with the real Amazon Echo device.