WhatsApp Business API The Ultimate Guide to WhatsApp API
Are you thinking about using WhatsApp API for business, but you’re unsure what it is or how it works? It is the ultimate guide to WhatsApp Business API and answers all your questions. We’ll cover WhatsApp API and how to develop a WhatsApp API account, manage contacts, and send WhatsApp API messages according to the best practices.
WhatsApp Business API: The Basics
WhatsApp API is a plan for the medium to large companies that want to use WhatsApp with multiple users. However, it is more complex than WhatsApp products such as WhatsApp Business App. For example, WhatsApp API has no app or front-end interface and needs to be integrated into business software.
WhatsApp is specific with who it lets connect to their API directly. Businesses wanting help to connect to WhatsApp API are encouraged to use third-party services for business solution providers.
WhatsApp API: Business Solution Providers
WhatsApp is specific about which companies it grants direct API connections to. However, for most companies, the only method to connect to WhatsApp API is through Business Solution Providers (BSPs).
Your knowledge of WhatsApp Business API Solution provides radically focusing on your BSP. To simplify things, there are different types of WhatsApp BSPs — SMS providers and others.
SMS providers can integrate WhatsApp API with their proprietary API. Therefore, it takes more time and effort to include or update new features from WhatsApp.
As for the groups that do not known as SMS providers likely use proxy APIs similar to WhatsApp’s infrastructure. So, it is fast and easy for them to help with new WhatsApp Business API features. Next, let’s look at the methods to host a WhatsApp API account.
WhatsApp API: Hosting Options
Previously, the best way to host WhatsApp API was through an On-Premises API on the BSP’s servers. From 2022, BSPs will provide Cloud API, where the API is hosted on Meta. Cloud API is available in beta to choose BSPs.
Businesses using a BSP with Cloud API access will have all the current WhatsApp API features. By contrast, those using On-Premises APIs are not capable of accessing new WhatsApp API features until their BSPs perform API software upgrades manually.
WhatsApp API: Pricing
You have to sign up with the WhatsApp API account. As the intermediaries, BSPs pay WhatsApp to connect to their API so they can offer the service to the user’s end. BSPs pass these costs on to businesses, sometimes with a markup to make an advantage.
Under the notification-based pricing model, many charge companies on a per-message basis. WhatsApp will switch to a conversation-based price model where businesses are charged per conversation. So now, take a closer look at each component that makes up a WhatsApp API account.
WhatsApp API for Business: Business Profile
A WhatsApp API Business Profile offers clients more information about your business. In addition, businesses can easily optimize their business profiles by updating their cover photo, description, address, email, and website.
The WhatsApp API Business profile is searchable at the app in messaging apps. In the next step, let’s discuss how a WhatsApp API works.
WhatsApp API Phone Number
A phone number required to be associated with your WhatsApp API account. Depending on the BSP, people can purchase a phone number or can port an existing one. Remember, the phone number tied to WhatsApp API is required to be able to receive calls or SMS.
It is recommended to use a phone number, not in use for another App account. Phone numbers can migrate from the App to API, but going back from the API to App is not recommended. You can lose account information associated with the phone number.
Developing WhatsApp API Account
There are two WhatsApp API accounts: the Classic Signup process. The Classic Signup method includes a challenging Facebook Business verification process. However, the experts let you create a WhatsApp API account in under ten minutes without Facebook Business verification, providing you quick access to start testing WhatsApp API.
On top of verifying the Facebook Business Account, people also have the option to verify their WhatsApp API account. All WhatsApp Business API features are also ready to use if your account is not verified.
Verifying a WhatsApp API Account
A verified WhatsApp API account can add credibility to your business and is more recognizable with a visible business name in the profile. You can request WhatsApp API verification directly on Facebook Business Manager or your selected BSPs.
To verify your API account, you need to fulfill WhatsApp’s requirements. It includes following WhatsApp’s Commerce and Business Policies and being a notable business. Unfortunately, WhatsApp only verifies well-known brands.
Once you have your WhatsApp API account, integrate it into a WhatsApp CRM to send and receive messages.
