How could you connect hundreds of customers and agents on one platform? You might have heard of WhatsApp Business accounts. How about WhatsApp API? This article explains the different types of WhatsApp API and their benefits. Then, we will guide you through the complete signup process.
What is WhatsApp Business API?
WhatsApp API empowers medium and large companies connect with customers at a large scale with thousands of agents and bots. It provides advanced business features, including:
send bulk messages on WhatsApp
integrate with CRM softwares and ERP solutions
build an e-commerce store within the messaging app
automate conversations, sales and payment process
Differences between WhatsApp Business API and WhatsApp Cloud API
There are two types of WhatsApp API: WhatsApp Business API (a.k.a. On-Premise API) and WhatsApp Cloud API. You must go through a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP) to get the WhatsApp Business API. On the other hand, the Cloud API hosted by Meta is open to businesses of any size. Companies can either work with a BSP or access the Cloud API service directly from Meta with in-house developer resources.
9 easy steps to apply for WhatsApp Business API through SleekFlow
SleekFlow is an omnichannel social commerce platform and an authorised WhatsApp Business Solution Provider. We provide WhatsApp Business API connection service and WhatsApp Cloud API hosting service.
Check the following guide to complete the application.
Step 1: Check the application requirements
Here are some of the prerequisites needed before you begin the application:
Admin access for Facebook Business Manager
Available WhatsApp Business phone number
Credit billing details
If you haven’t verified your Facebook Business Account on Meta yet, now is also the time to do so. Navigate to your Facebook account, select Security and login > Two Factor Authentication and complete the steps required.
Once a phone number is registered on the WhatsApp Business API, it cannot be used for WhatsApp Business or the WhatsApp consumer app.
Step 2: Navigating to channel settings
Go to channels, and click the "Add" button on WhatsApp.
Step 3: Connect to an Official WhatsApp Business account
You have a few options here:
apply the WhatsApp Business API provided by 360dialog
connect an existing WhatsApp Business API provided by Twilio
sign up for WhatsApp Cloud API provided by SleekFlow.
Let's focus on how to connect 360dialog's WhatsApp Business API to SleekFlow now.
Click on 'Connect' to continue.
Step 4: Create a 360dialog account
Creating a new 360dialog account via SleekFlow will allow you to get a special price of only USD 12.50 per month, compared to the original monthly fee of USD 50 to 65.
Step 5: Connect using a new or existing phone number
To create a new account on 360dialog, set up with the new phone number you purchased for your business. You may also use an existing phone number, but a new number is recommended. A Skype number can be purchased for this purpose.
Before you proceed to the following step, it is important that you complete the verification for your Facebook Business account.
In some cases, the Facebook Business verification icon can be greyed out, but the process can be enabled by linking your account to Facebook for Developers.
After completing the Facebook Business verification, click on 'Sign up at 360dialog'.
Step 6: Fill in the application form
Simply fill in the information accordingly and click on "Accept Terms".
Step 7: Connect your Facebook Business account
After that, you will need to connect this new account to your Facebook Business account. You may follow through the steps by creating a new Facebook Business account or connecting to an existing one.
Step 8: Verify phone number
Fill in the phone number that you want to use for your WhatsApp Business account.
You will be prompted to fill in the 6-digit verification code received on the phone number.
Step 9: Generate an API key
Lastly, generate an API key on the screen, then copy and paste it on SleekFlow to connect.
Congratulations! You now have an Official WhatsApp Business API account that can be connected to all of the other channels on your platform.
6 easy steps to apply for WhatsApp Cloud API through SleekFlow
To get the WhatsApp Cloud API on SleekFlow, simply complete the Embedded Signup process. You won't have to leave the site at all.
Step 1: Create Facebook and WhatsApp Business accounts
Step 2: Create a WhatsApp Business Profile
Step 3: Verify a WhatsApp Business number
Step 4: Connect the phone numbers/ WhatsApp Business Accounts to SleekFlow
Step 5: Set a channel name for your WhatsApp Business Accounts
Step 6: Select a monthly subscription plan that suits you need
What SleekFlow can do for your WhatsApp Business strategy
SleekFlow is here to help you sell, support, and convert better on social. Not only can you connect your WhatsApp Business account to SleekFlow, but also other accounts on various social messaging platforms such as Messenger, Instagram, WeChat, LINE, and more so that you can manage all conversations in one place.
Our all-in-one inbox allows you to collaborate with your team members seamlessly. With SleekFlow, you assign conversations to colleagues manually or automatically, add collaborators to conversations, and tag a specific member using internal notes for communication.
If you want to upgrade your chat strategy, make good use of the campaign and the automation function. You can put your contacts into groups based on your needs and then launch your campaign to send out targeted, personalized messages. Chatbots can also be built on SleekFlow to ask qualifying questions and answer frequently asked questions, which help to significantly reduce the response time.
I think the best feature of SleekFlow is the automated assignment of conversation and automatic replies. We tried other platforms but there were too many restrictions. With SleekFlow, we can configure the settings on our own such as whom to assign the conversation and when to send out the out-of-office message.
Alvin Lee
General Manager
Want to transit from traditional email marketing to chat marketing? Read How alfred24, a green delivery solution provider, creates a stable and effective communication channel with SleekFlow.
The magic does not stop here. SleekFlow allows businesses to connect their account to their Shopify store so that they can have purchase history and order status shown alongside the chat room. Besides that, businesses can set automated rules to send out abandoned cart reminders and order status updates.
All these features mentioned above are just the beginning. As more new features are on their way, SleekFlow will be the door to numerous possibilities, curating the perfect path and rising to the social commerce trend. Equip your business with the best tools. Grow with SleekFlow.
Register a new phone number and get the Meta WhatsApp Cloud API on SleekFlow now.
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