Follow the steps below to prepare your Meta account, link it to Messente and start sending WhatsApp messages
⚠️ WhatsApp has two business products, they are not interchangeable and only the Business Platform product can be used with the API
Business App is intended for small businesses to communicate with customers via a business version of the WhatsApp mobile app. Business Platform is intended for larger customers using an integrated/API approach. Any number used for the Business App cannot be used for Business Platform without first disconnecting it.
1. Read the WhatsApp Business policy
WhatsApp places some restrictions on the content and type of business that can use the platform so we strongly recommend familiarising yourself with their policy to ensure you don't run the risk of being blocked.
https://business.whatsapp.com/policy
2. Meta account
First you need a business Meta account. If you already use Facebook or Instagram you likely already have this.
If you are not already using paid services you will need to setup billing with Meta. Login to your Meta business account and then go to: https://business.facebook.com/billing_hub
3. Phone number
Each WhatsApp sender is associated with a phone number so you will need a number for every sender you register.
ℹ️ If you already have a WhatsApp account and sender, you can skip this step
There are a number of options to acquire numbers:
- Ask your existing business telecoms provider for a new number
- Buy a SIM card (NB you will need to ensure you can receive a call/SMS for registration and keep it 'alive' in case you need to re-authenticate in the future)
- In some markets Meta now offer free phone numbers for use with WhatsApp (NB these are currently always US format), this will show as an option during the embedded sign-up process if available
- Ask your Messente account manager, we can acquire numbers for you for some markets
ℹ️ Phone numbers can't already be associated with any other WhatsApp account
4. Connect WhatsApp with Messente
Next you need to connect your accounts. Navigate to the Senders page and click the 'Connect' button under WhatsApp. This will take you into Meta's embedded signup flow which supports both:
- Creating a new WhatsApp account
- Connecting an existing WhatsApp account to Messente
The video below takes you through the form and what's required.
5. Create a template
Once you have your WhatsApp account you can now create a template. Approved templates are required for all business initiated conversations. Access the Meta WhatsApp Manager, select Manage templates and Create Template.
6. Send a test message!
Find the API documentation here and on the API reference page.
Here's a demo on how the Omnichannel API works with WhatsApp:
ℹ️ Dashboard sending is coming soon
Next steps
Now that you are connected you can prepare to start using WhatsApp for customer communications.
- Setup an auto-reply or be prepared to answer replies - any replies must be responded to in 24hrs so either be prepared to monitor replies or setup an auto-response to guide users to another channel
- Decide on your fallback logic - e.g. you might choose to always use WhatsApp first if you're looking to respond to customer demand or hoping for conversion improvements and then fallback to SMS or you could use it just for multi-part messages where it is likely to be cheaper
- Verify your business with Meta by submitting document in Business Manager to get 1,000+ daily business-initiated conversations and show your business name in chat with customers.
Here's a video on the technical setup of integration WhatsApp Business:
🔗 Useful Meta support articles
How to connect your phone number to your WhatsApp Business account