How to Set Up Your WhatsApp Business API Account

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) is a solution for your business to use WhatsApp to its fullest capabilities. When you set up WhatsApp Business, you’re setting up your business for seamless interactions and effective communication at scale. The WhatsApp Business API offers advanced tools, features, and integrations that make it easier for your business to handle high volumes of messages, provide personalized and instant support, manage communication, and improve customer engagement.

In this blog, we will walk you through how to set up a WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account, the benefits of the WhatsApp Business API, and how you can make the most of the WhatsApp Business API’s powerful features.

How to set up WhatsApp Business

Before we go over how to set up WhatsApp Business, it’s important to note that businesses cannot get the WhatsApp Business API directly, rather they work with a WhatsApp business solution provider like Convrs to do so. Partners can help with the setup, verification, and configuration for businesses to ensure a smooth experience from the start.

Here’s what you’ll need before setting up your WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account:

• Valid email address
• Phone number (can be mobile, landline, or VOIP)
• Meta Business Manager Account with complete information
• Verified Meta Business Account (optional but recommended)

Learn how to get Meta Verified in our blog ‘WhatsApp 101: How to Get Meta Verified’!

Get Started with the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

Step 1: Integrate Your Account

• Log in to your Convrs account and open Business Manager in a new tab.
• On the Convrs dashboard, go to Integrations > 360dialog and click Integrate.
• A pop-up will appear. Enter the requested information to create a 360dialog Client Hub account.

After this, you’ll have access to the Client Hub, where you can control your WhatsApp Business API settings and messaging options.

Step 2: Verify Your Email and Add Company Details

• Check your email for a message from 360dialog and click the link to confirm.
• Once verified, add your company details.
• If you have a VAT ID, enter it when asked. If not, you can type "0" if it’s required.

This step prepares your account for WhatsApp Business API activation.

Step 3: Add Payment Details

• Enter your credit card details. Make sure any VPN is off to avoid issues.
• After payment, complete the checklist to finish your account setup.

Step 4: Log In with Facebook and Select Your Business Account

• Log in to your Facebook account and follow the instructions until you reach the page where you can choose the Facebook Business Account to link to your WhatsApp account.

This links your Facebook Business Account to your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) so you can manage both together.

Step 5: Create Your WhatsApp Business Account and Profile

• Create a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) and complete the fields for your business profile.
• Add the phone number you’ll use for WhatsApp and choose to receive the verification code by SMS or voice call.
• If it’s a new number, go ahead and verify.
• If the number is already linked to a mobile WhatsApp account, delete that account on your device since you can’t use the same number for both.
• Enter the code you receive and click Next.

This step finalizes your WABA setup, allowing you to message customers.

Step 6: Confirm Your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

• Select the WABA you just created. A confirmation message will show your setup is complete.
• Now, your WhatsApp Business API account is ready!

Step 7: Link the WhatsApp API to Convrs

• Select the number you set up for WhatsApp and allow Convrs to access it. This connects your WhatsApp API to the Convrs dashboard, where you can manage messages, analytics, and settings.
• Now your WhatsApp API is fully integrated with Convrs, so you’re ready to start messaging customers.
• Note that your messaging abilities start with limits, or “tiers,” which will increase as your account gains trust.

Step 8: Add Funds for Messaging and Set Up Your Monthly Messaging Quota

• In your 360dialog Client Hub, go to Insights & Funds.
• Choose a one-time payment or set up auto-renewal for continuous service.
• Estimate how many conversations you’ll need each month, then confirm the amount.

Step 9: Update Your Business Profile

• Add your company’s profile picture, set up an About message, and complete any other details on the 360dialog Client Hub.

Your WhatsApp Business API account is now ready to engage customers at your current messaging tier, and you can start sending messages right away!

Why Use the WhatsApp Business API? Key Benefits for Businesses

When businesses set up a WhatsApp Business Account, they open a world of possibilities with features that can elevate customer engagement strategies. Whether you’re a growing company or an established business, here’s why you should use the WhatsApp Business API:

1. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) grows with your business

Incoming messages from customers grow when your business does. Handling a high number of customer interactions can often overwhelm your support team, however, with WhatsApp tools such as WhatsApp Automation and AI Chatbots, you can efficiently manage inquiries and keep up with the demand without giving up on quality. The WhatsApp Business API’s scalability means that your business can handle hundreds of daily interactions without the need to expand your support staff.

2. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) enhances customer engagement

The WhatsApp Business API enables you to send real-time responses and proactive updates, this creates a more engaging experience for your customers. WhatsApp allows customers to get the answers to their questions fast while giving your business a level of engagement that sets you apart from competitors.

3. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) allows you to do more with WhatsApp

One of the best features of the WhatsApp Business API is its variety of useful tools and features, as well as seamless integration with other platforms your business may use. For example, the WhatsApp Business API can connect to CRM systems to keep all customer data together and accessible. When you set up WhatsApp Business, you gain access to tools like WhatsApp Automation, WhatsApp Bulk Messaging, and more, that helps streamline your workflows, minimize manual tasks, reach more customers, and ensures that customers receive personalized and engaging messages at every interaction point.

Common Use Cases for the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

When you set up WhatsApp Business, you’re using a powerful tool that can be used across various departments like marketing, sales, and customer support, and meeting each departments’ objectives while creating better communication experience. Here’s how you can use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API):

Marketing

When you use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) for marketing, you can reach a large audience in a direct and personalized way with effective WhatsApp campaigns that effectively engage with customers. With WhatsApp’s high open rates and engagement rates, you can cut through the noise and reach customers where they are already active and engaged.

• Targeted Promotions and Exclusive Offers

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) can help deliver promotions to thousands that feel personal and exclusive. Businesses can send out discounts, flash sales, or early-bird deals to selected customer groups. Plus, WhatsApp is an ideal time-sensitive campaign as its conversational nature and interactive features encourage engagement.

• Product Announcements and Launches

WhatsApp has multimedia capabilities that lets businesses send engaging messages with photos and videos. Businesses can send teaser messages, previews, and pre-order opportunities, keeping them in the loop of what to expect.

• Event Invitations and Reminders

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) can be used to send invitations and reminders for webinars, in-store events, or online sales. WhatsApp marketing messages can be sent to confirm attendance or remind registrants of the even details for better engagement and increased turnout.

Sales

WhatsApp is a powerful tool for sales teams because it has a direct and personal nature, this helps sales teams have real-time conversations with your customers that helps guide them through the sales funnel and close deals. When you set up WhatsApp Business, you enable your sales team to engage leads at the right time at the best messaging channel.

• Lead Generation and Qualification

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) allows sales teams to capture and qualify leads through WhatsApp campaigns or click-to-WhatsApp ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. When a customer engages, businesses can qualify leads by gathering essential information through automated chatbots, segmenting leads based on their needs and preferences for more tailored follow-ups.

• Product Recommendations and Cross-Selling

For customers who are considering a purchase, WhatsApp messages can be an effective way to recommend additional products or services. Based on previous interactions or purchase history, businesses can send tailored suggestions that increase how likely customers purchase more products to go along with their initial choice.

• Sales Closures

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) enables more personal interactions like virtual product demos or consultations with sales representatives. By providing instant answers to questions and addressing doubts in real time, sales representatives can guide customers through the decision-making process. This direct approach can lead to quicker conversions and stronger customer relationships.

Customer Support

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API)’s ability to enhance customer support is one of its biggest advantages. With the WhatsApp Business API, your business can deliver a quicker, more responsive service that matches the convenience customers expect with tools and features such as WhatsApp Automation.

• Automated FAQs and Instant Support

AI Chatbots can handle common inquiries automatically, providing customers with immediate answers to questions about store hours, policies, and product or service details. This frees up customer service agents for more complex issues while ensuring that customers receive instant help for simpler queries.

• Real-Time Resolution

When a customer’s concern requires a personal touch, the WhatsApp Business API allows for a smooth handoff to a live agent. Through WhatsApp, agents can address customer issues in real time, providing solutions faster than with traditional channels like email. This immediacy reduces friction and strengthens customer satisfaction.

• Proactive Notifications and Alerts

Handling inbound inquiries is not the only objective of customer support teams, they can also send proactive updates like order confirmations, shipping notifications, or appointment reminders. By keeping customers informed every step of their journey, businesses can improve the overall support experience.

Your WhatsApp Business Platform Tools with Convrs

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API), powered by Convrs, offers a variety of tools as a WhatsApp business solution provider. These powerful tools can help you streamline operations, boost engagement, and personalize interactions. Get a closer look at the WhatsApp Business API tools and how you can use them:

WhatsApp Automation & AI Chatbots

WhatsApp Automation can be a game changer for your business by helping you respond to customers quicker and streamline repetitive tasks. Automated workflows can be set up so that you can ensure customers receive the help they need without delay. WhatsApp AI Chatbots are ideal for handling routine inquiries, providing instant answers, and ensuring customers feel supported without delay. AI Chatbots can quickly respond to customer questions such as order status or store locations, helping your team manage high inquiry volumes.

• Instantly address FAQs (like store hours or return policies) even during after business hours, giving your customers 24/7 access to essential information.
• More complex inquiries can be handled by automated workflows that can route messages to the appropriate team to ensure faster and more accurate support.
• Personalize responses based on customer data to boost satisfaction and reduce waiting times.

WhatsApp Bulk Messaging

WhatsApp Bulk Messaging is an effective way to share important information with a large audience, making it perfect for promotions, updates, and announcements. With WhatsApp Bulk Messaging, you can engage customers at scale while adding a personal touch, boosting response rates and building stronger customer relationships.

• WhatsApp Bulk Messaging is ideal for sharing updates on new products, sales promotions, or urgent notifications to ensure your wide audience stays informed without needing to send messages one by one.
• Segment recipients based on criteria like purchase history or location to make bulk messages more relevant, allowing you to send exclusive offers or product suggestions.
• WhatsApp Bulk Messaging can also help you simplify event invitations and reminders.

Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

Click-to-WhatsApp ads can seamlessly link your marketing and customer engagement by allowing potential customers to start conversations directly from Facebook or Instagram ads, turning their interest into real-time interaction. These ads simplify customer outreach by eliminating the extra steps of having to search for your business and sending a message, instead users can just click to chat so that you can capture interest at its peak.

• Create effective campaigns with a call-to-action to chat with your business on WhatsApp to boost click-through rates.
• Click-to-WhatsApp ads are ideal for converting through direct interactions as you can nurture leads once a chat begins by sharing product information, answering questions, or offering personalized recommendations.
• Streamline social media engagement into a conversational channel to support customers through their journey and drive more conversions.

The Wrap Up

When you set up WhatsApp Business account with a WhatsApp business solution provider such as Convrs, you unlock significant opportunities to elevate customer engagement and streamline communication. With powerful WhatsApp tools such as WhatsApp Automation, AI Chatbots, Bulk Messaging and Click-to-WhatsApp ads, your business can meet the goals of different departments. The WhatsApp Business API provides you with a platform that grows with your business, makes customer engagement easier, and drives customer satisfaction.

Ready to experience the impact of a fully integrated WhatsApp solution? Convrs can set everything up for free (valued at $499!) when you try the WhatsApp Business API Platform. Book a free, no-commitment demo or start your free trial now!