To get a WhatsApp Business API Access, you will need the following:
- a valid phone number
- a signup form link (which will be supplied by a Solution Partner or 360dialog)
You can create a new Facebook Business Account or connect to an existing one during the Embedded Signup process.
Video Tutorial
STEPS:
1. Complete the Applicant Form
Fill out the WhatsApp Business Account application form with:
- Your email address (which can't be connected to an active 360dialog account);
- Your name
- Your Company name
- Password that will be used in the 360 Client Hub login.
The form is available in the following languages. To change it, please use the bottom right menu.
After clicking the Accept Terms button, you will be redirected to the Embedded Signup page.
2. Complete the Embedded Signup
You will need to log in your Facebook account to move forward. It's important that this Facebook account has admin access to the Facebook Business Manager that will manage this WhatsApp account.
There are 3 main steps to the Embedded Signup:
1 - Choose or Create a Facebook and WhatsApp Business account
Please choose your Facebook Business Manager carefully, since it can't be changed after the number is registered.
2 - Create your WhatsApp Business Profile
- Choose Display Name
- Add the Business Category and Description
3 - Complete Number Registration
You can use a phone number that is already registered in the Android, iPhone, or Business versions of WhatsApp. However, to register this phone number in the WhatsApp Business API, you need to follow the steps outlined on this page to delete the WhatsApp account associated with that phone number.
Once you finish deleting your account, you can proceed with Number Registration. You will receive a 6-digit code via SMS or Voice call to verify the number.
3. Generate API Key
When the Embedded Signup is completed, we will immediately deploy the WhatsApp Business API Client and you will be automatically logged into 360 Client Hub, where you can generate your:
API-KEY
When the stack is deployed, the number will enter Sandbox Mode. In this mode, you will be able to send messages but the number will be subject to limitations (please view Trial Experience Rules) until WhatsApp Commerce Policy and Display Name reviews are completed successfully.
Once you API key is generated, you will need to log into you Conversation24 manager interface, and paste it under "360Dialog API key" within the WhatsApp 360Dialog settings section.
To do this please follow the next steps:
- Fill in your number
- Paste the generated API key
- Add a possible successcode (optional)
- Click on "Save"
Your number is now connected to Conversation24 and you are ready to receive chats!
4. WhatsApp Commerce Policy and Display Name review
WhatsApp will review your WhatsApp Account to ensure it is compliant with the WhatsApp Commerce Policy. Be sure to examine the policy closely to make sure your Business is compliant.
WhatsApp will also approve your company's Display Name. Display Name Guidelines are very strict, and names will often get rejected for small details or minor discrepancies between the name and the Facebook Business, website, or social media. To avoid this, make sure you thoroughly review Facebook's guidelines.
During this review period the account will be assigned to the Sandbox Tier, aka: the Unverified trial experience.
/!\ PLEASE NOTE: Only 1 number is allowed in the Sandbox Mode at any one time. If you wish to register a second number, please wait until WhatsApp Commerce Policy and Display Name reviews are completed successfully.
When the checks have been successfully completed, you will be assigned to the Limited Access Tier.
5. Add Business Information in Business Manager
Then, you must add your information in the Business Info section of Business Manager Settings. You need to include a legal name, an address, a website, and the business phone number you intend to use for messaging.
Important: If this information isn't added in 30 days, the number may be automatically disconnected from the API.
(OPTIONAL) 6. Complete Facebook Business Verification
Accounts submitted without having the Business Manager verified will be placed in the Limited Access Tier, which gives access to:
- Unlimited customer-initiated conversations (24-hour messaging windows)
- Ability to send notifications to 50 unique customers in a rolling 24-hour period
- Ability to register up to two (2) phone numbers, which can both be assigned to 1 WABA or split between 2 WABAs
You must initiate Business Verification if at any point you want to:
- Use the Standard Access tier, which gives access to:
- Higher template messaging limits (1K, 10K, 100K unique customers/day)
- More than 2 phone numbers
- An Official Business Account (OBA) - Any business that requires an OBA must complete Business Verification.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Trial Experience Rules
When a business completes the embedded signup flow, the account is automatically placed in the Sandbox until all reviews are completed. This period is known as the unverified trial experience. There are 2 tiers to this:
1) Unverified trial experience (upon completion of embedded signup)
- Notifications: Can be sent to 2 phone numbers, up to 10 messages a day. This limit is renewed daily, so if messages were sent to 2 phone numbers today, you will be able to send 10 new ones to 2 different phone numbers tomorrow. Notifications can only be sent with pre-approved message templates.
- Customer Service Messages: Can have customer-initiated conversations with up to 10 phone numbers. A conversation is a 24-hour window of messaging with a given phone number. This limit is renewed daily, so if you had conversations with 10 phone numbers today, you will be able to have conversations with 10 different phone numbers tomorrow.
2) Expanded trial (upon submission of documents as part of Business Verification)
- Notifications: Can be sent to 2 phone numbers, up to 10 messages a day. This limit is renewed daily, so if messages were sent to 2 phone numbers today, you will be able to send 10 new ones to 2 different phone numbers tomorrow. Notifications can only be sent with pre-approved message templates.
- Customer Service Messages: Can have 1500 customer-initiated conversations. A conversation is a 24-hour window of messaging with a given phone number. This limit is renewed daily, so if you had 1500 conversations today, you will be able to have 1500 conversations (within the 24-hour window) tomorrow.
WhatsApp defines a conversation as a 24-hour session of unlimited messaging between a person and a business. The 24-hour conversation session begins when a business reply to a user message is delivered within the 24 hour window. You can use message webhooks notifications to monitor conversations —only messages with status sent, delivered, and read are impacted.
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