How to apply for WhatsApp Business API?
How could you connect hundreds of customers and agents on one platform?
You might have heard of WhatsApp Business accounts for small businesses. How about WhatsApp Business API for bigger companies?
This article explains the different types of WhatsApp API and their benefits. Then, we will guide you through the complete signup process to apply for WhatsApp Business API.
What is WhatsApp Business API?
WhatsApp API empowers medium and large companies connect with customers at a large scale with agents and bots. It provides advanced business features, including:
Send unlimited bulk messages on WhatsApp without being blocked.
Integrationte with CRM softwares and other tools ERP solutions.
Build an e-commerce store within the messaging app.
Automate conversations, customer service, marketing campaigns, sales and payment process.
And much more.
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)
Both of them are designed for medium and large businesses, and have the same functionalities.
The main difference between WhatsApp Cloud API and on-premise API is the hosting type.
Earlier, businesses were limited to using a BSP that offered on-premise API solutions to access the WhatsApp API. However, BSPs now have the option to provide the WhatsApp Cloud API hosted by Meta.
Companies can obtain the WhatsApp Cloud API through a BSP that offers it (like SleekFlow) or develop their own business messaging tools using their in-house development team.
Some benefits of the WhatsApp Cloud API include managing templates in SleekFlow, (for WhatsApp Business API you need to switch platform) and support connecting on prem numbers.
How to apply for WhatsApp Cloud API through SleekFlow
Step 1: Create a WhatsApp Business API account and connect to SleekFlow
The signup process has some prerequisites:
Turn on 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your personal Facebook account
A valid phone number
Admin access to your company's Facebook Business Manager account
Step 2: Access SleekFlow’s platform
Go to Channels > WhatsApp Official API > Connect
Step 3: Sign up with a new phone number
Click on Connect Cloud API using a new phone number
Click Pay USD15 via Stripe (SleekFlow will charge a USD15 connection fee for each connected phone number per month.)
Step 4: Create a Facebook and WhatsApp Business account
You will need to log in to your Facebook account.
Choose or Create a Facebook and WhatsApp Business account
Step 5: Create WhatsApp Profile
Name your WhatsApp Business Account and WhatsApp display Name
Select the time zone, business category and description (optional).
Step 6: Connect the phone numbers to SleekFlow.
For a new phone number
We strongly suggest users use a NEW phone number that can receive SMS or call for registration.
For existing phone number (with WhatsApp app)
If you are using an existing WhatsApp/ WhatsApp Business number to apply, please make sure the chats history have been backed up using SleekFlow Chrome extension.
After that, please go to your phone WhatsApp/ WhatsApp Business App and delete the number before filling in the number to verify as per the next step below.
During the application time, those messages sent to your number will be queued in WhatsApp server. They will be delivered to your number once it is connected to WABA successfully.
Verify phone number
Fill in the phone number you want to register for this WhatsApp account. Choose either "Text Message" or "Voice Call" to receive the 6-digit verification code.
Enter the code and click the Next button.
Step 7: Set a channel name for your WhatsApp Business Accounts.
Input channel name for internal recognition.
Step 8: Select a monthly subscription plan that suits your needs
You are encouraged to choose an auto top-up value to top up when the WhatsApp balance is below [USD20/USD50/USD100/USD500] etc.
You may toggle the auto top-up status, as well as the top-up value in the settings later:
Step 9: Connect
Your Official WhatsApp channel is connected!
You are encouraged to add funds to your Official WhatsApp account for sending messages, click Settings then the system will direct you to Billing.
How to apply for WhatsApp Business API
If you want to apply for an on-premise API, you have to do it directly on you select providor and then connect your number on SleekFlow:
Step 1: Go to Channels > WhatsApp > Add > Connect
Step 2: Sign up with a new phone number
Step 3: Complete Sign Up at your providor
Step 4: Create a Facebook and WhatsApp Business account
Step 5: Create WhatsApp Profile
Step 6: Registrate your number
Step 7: Generate API key
Step 8: Connect WhatsApp to SleekFlow
Step 9: Add funds to your WhatsApp account
If you wanna know more details about this process you can check on our step-by-step guide.
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.
Apply for WhatsApp Business API now!
Discover the power of WhatsApp with SleekFlow!
Unleash your full potential with WhatsApp Business API. Your customers are waiting!
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