The WhatsApp Business API Solution is a popular tool for
businesses to share information with their users, including notifications about
new offers, promotional deals, product launches, and alerts. This solution
allows businesses to integrate their phone number with WhatsApp, obtaining a
verified and authentic Business WhatsApp Number to send messages from a single,
representative number. However, businesses must meet certain requirements in
order to utilize the WhatsApp Business API, which is a powerful and effective
way to engage with customers and share important information.
Five Steps for WhatsApp Business API Integration
1. WhatsApp/Meta Approval
To use the WhatsApp Business API, businesses must obtain
approval from WhatsApp/Meta by submitting a request and going through a
verification process. This includes obtaining a new number and completing the
necessary steps to ensure business verification.
2. Initiate Business Verification Process
To use the WhatsApp Business API, businesses must initiate
the verification process through their Facebook admin account, which includes
verifying the business phone number that will be used. This step is necessary
to ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of the business.
3. Finish Verification Process
Once approved, businesses must provide documentation to prove
their identity and ownership to complete the verification process.
4. Create WhatsApp Business Account
After completing the verification process, businesses can set
up their WhatsApp Business account by configuring account and number settings
and creating messaging templates.
5. Integrate the WhatsApp API
Finally, businesses can integrate the WhatsApp Business API
into their systems to send and receive messages. The provider will provide
documentation and support for the integration process.
The 24-Hour Messaging Window.
When a user sends a WhatsApp message to a business, a 24-hour
messaging window is initiated. During this window, businesses can send
free-form messages to the user. Once the window expires, only pre-approved
message templates can be sent as a business-initiated conversation.
Why Use Broadcast Service
Pre-Approved Message Templates
After 24-hour window, send only pre-approved message templates as a business-initiated conversation.
WhatsApp approves each message template.
WhatsApp approves certain types of messages such as
promotional messages, coupon codes, updates, and transactional messages, but they
must comply with the platform's policies and guidelines.
These templates are used in broadcast mostly.
Broadcast Campaign Analytics
Use Cases of WABA
BookMyShow, a renowned online ticketing platform in India,
utilized WhatsApp Business API to provide ticket confirmation and updates to
customers who booked tickets for movies or events. The move helped to enhance
customer satisfaction and decrease the volume of support inquiries.
Hellmann's created a recipe service on WhatsApp that provided
customers with personalized recipe suggestions by allowing them to send
pictures of their available ingredients. This helped increase brand engagement
and customer loyalty.
Goibibo, an online travel booking platform in India, utilized
WhatsApp Business API to send booking confirmations, travel updates, and other
relevant information to their customers, leading to improved customer
satisfaction and decreased support queries.
The WhatsApp Business API has been used by various businesses
to achieve their goals, from improving customer engagement to reducing workload
and increasing sales. There are endless possibilities for utilizing the API,
and it can be customized to meet the unique needs of different industries and
organizations.
A: The WhatsApp Business API offers a secure environment with end-to-end encryption for message confidentiality. It upholds stringent privacy policies and guidelines to safeguard user data and ensure overall data security.
A: WhatsApp Business API is a messaging platform designed for businesses to engage with their customers on WhatsApp. It enables businesses to communicate efficiently by utilizing features like autoresponder message templates and chatbots. These tools help automate customer support processes, enhance responsiveness, and elevate the overall customer experience. With the WhatsApp Business API, businesses can establish a direct and secure line of communication with their customers, enabling efficient interactions and facilitating seamless transactions.
A: Using your personal phone number for the WhatsApp Business API is not permitted. WhatsApp requires businesses to have a dedicated phone number for API access due to privacy concerns for both the business and its customers. It is essential to maintain a clear separation between personal and business communication. The dedicated phone number used for the WhatsApp Business API should be an active number capable of receiving SMS or voice calls. It is crucial for businesses to comply with these requirements to ensure a smooth and secure communication channel. Using a personal number for the WhatsApp Business API is a violation of WhatsApp's terms of service. If discovered, it may result in the suspension or banning of your account. To maintain the integrity of the platform and protect user privacy, WhatsApp enforces these guidelines. To utilize the WhatsApp Business API, it is recommended to obtain a separate phone number specifically designated for business purposes. This will enable you to adhere to WhatsApp's policies, maintain privacy, and provide a professional experience to your customers while utilizing the API's capabilities effectively.
A: The WhatsApp Business API is open to businesses of all sizes and industries. However, businesses must adhere to WhatsApp's guidelines and policies to utilize the platform effectively. WhatsApp does not impose any restrictions based on business size or industry, making it accessible to a wide range of businesses seeking to engage with their customers through WhatsApp.
A:
A: Unlike the free WhatsApp for Business app, the WhatsApp Business API is a paid service. Its pricing is determined by WhatsApp Business Solution Providers (BSPs) who connect to the API and offer it to businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. BSPs pay WhatsApp for accessing the API and then provide the service to their customers, setting their own pricing structure. The cost of using the WhatsApp Business API varies depending on the chosen BSP, enabling businesses to select a BSP that aligns with their budget and requirements for utilizing the API.