How to create and connect my WhatsApp Business API with Botmaker?
In this article, you will learn how to connect your WhatsApp Business API account quickly through the new onboarding method in a few minutes.
Estimated reading time: 08 minutes
What´s the new WhatsApp onboarding process about?
The new WhatsApp onboarding process facilitates communication in much less time than the previous manual process which took several days.
If you are a new customer, you can instantly get a trial account for WhatsApp Business API and Botmaker, even if it is not yet verified. This way, you will be able to control your account as you will have your own Facebook Business Manager to check the status of your account and evaluate the quality of your communications.
In addition, the integrated registration allows your company to connect to WhatsApp Business API directly from your website.
Step-by-Step integration with Botmaker
Go to Configurations>Channels(https://go.botmaker.com/#/integrations/channels).
Click on the WhatsApp option and select Connect
You will see a screen like the one below:
Click on "Add account" and follow the steps shown on the screen. You can also test your chatbot by clicking on Test chat.
Note: Please consider the following when adding a WhatsApp API account:
- You will not be able to use the same line as a non-API account on another device.
- The process can be reversed by submitting a ticket to Facebook to request the change to a regular or Business line. However, once the process is reverted, the account will not get API status again.
- The line once registered in Meta, may take up to 48 hours to be approved.
- While the line is in the registration and approval process, it may not be able to receive WhatsApp messages or calls if it was installed on a device. Therefore, we recommend planning a service outage period and establishing an alternative communication channel during this time.
To start with the setup, you must log in with the Facebook account that identifies your business.
What are the requirements to enable this feature?
If your business joined through Botmaker on or after September 12, 2021, you will be able to use the WhatsApp Business API without completing business verification.
After incorporation, your business is placed on a new Limited Access level, which allows:
- 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 (WhatsApp Business Account) or split between 2 WABAs.
Note: You may initiate the verification process at any time if you want to:
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Use the Standard Access tier, which gives access to:
- Currently available messaging limits (1K, 10K,100K unique customers/day)
- More than 2 phone numbers
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An Official Business Account (OBA). Any business that requires an OBA must complete Business Verification. If the documentation to verify the account is not submitted within 30 days, the account will remain active but you will be unable to send messages (although you will still receive messages).
If your company is onboarded through Botmaker, you do not have to complete the Business Verification to use the API. However, all pilot companies have to pass the WhatsApp Verifications and the display name review.
Additionally, at WhatsApp's sole discretion, a small group of businesses with an existing relationship with Facebook, such as those having an account manager, may be placed directly in the Standard Access tier. This will be determined during the review phase of the onboarding process. At this point, there is no action required by the BSP.
How to verify your WhatsApp Business account?
You must verify your business through Facebook Business Manager so your account is fully activated and you can use it without limits. The verification is performed from the Security Center>Start Verification option. See the article Verify your business for more details.
Remember to visit our Help Center for further information.
Written by: Botmaker Team
Last updated: 1/04/2023