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WhatsApp Business API 2024 User Guide
WhatsApp Business API User Guide 2024
According to statistics from Business of App more than 3 billion people around the world actively use messaging applications. WhatsApp is the most popular messaging application with 2.4 billion users. It is also the most popular messaging application in the world with more than 5 billion downloads and over 2 billion active users.
Many Hong Kong merchants use WhatsApp to communicate with customers, but the free WhatsApp Business mobile app may not be enough to meet the company’s growth needs. When merchants need to log in on multiple phones at the same time and develop advanced features such as chatbots, they usually consider upgrading to the WhatsApp Business API.
Content
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What is WhatsApp Business API？What is WhatsApp Business API？
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History of WhatsApp Business APIHistory of WhatsApp Business API
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What is the difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API？What is the difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API？
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How do I get access to the WhatsApp Business API?How do I get access to the WhatsApp Business API?
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8 Major Features of WhatsApp Business API8 Major Features of WhatsApp Business API
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1. Green Tick business verification1. Green Tick business verification
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2. Brand new GPT customer service chatbot2. Brand new GPT customer service chatbot
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3. Cloud storage3. Cloud storage
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4. Automatic reply function4. Automatic reply function
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5. Support multi-person team collaboration5. Support multi-person team collaboration
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6. Schedule broadcast list6. Schedule broadcast list
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7. Payment function7. Payment function
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8. Third-party system integration8. Third-party system integration
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Frequent Asked QuestionsFrequent Asked Questions
1. What is WhatsApp Business API？
WhatsApp Business API is an advanced version of the WhatsApp Business application. It is designed for SMEs/ large enterprises. It provides multiple functions and can be regarded as an “upgraded version” of WhatsApp Business. These features include multi-user login and management, quick replies, chatbots and broadcasting of personalized messages, etc., which can help enterprises expand their online business.
WhatsApp Business API is useful for businesses that need to reach a large number of customers, especially in marketing in industries such as retail, beauty, food, design, and hospitality. WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to manage multiple users simultaneously, provide quick responses, develop chatbots to automatically answer frequently asked questions, and use broadcast functionality to send personalized messages to customers.
Chatalog.ai, owned by Set Sail AI, is an officially recognized vendor and provides users with official WhatsApp Business API services. By connecting Chatalog.ai to the WhatsApp Business API, multiple members can log into the Chatalog.ai app and web version at the same time and chat with guests using a single WhatsApp phone number. You can interact with customers more effectively, improve customer experience, and expand the reach of your online business.
2. HIstory of WhatsApp Business API
- Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014
- In 2018 WhatsApp launched WhatsApp Business as a business solution for enterprises
- WhatsApp Business API to switch from charging per template message to charging per conversation in 2022
3. What is the difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API？
Although merchants can build a business profile, set up simple auto-replies, and classify customers with tags on the WhatsApp Business App, these WhatsApp widgets still have the following limitations:
Multiple mobile phones cannot be logged in at the same time – WhatsApp began to support 5 mobile phones sharing one account at the end of 2021, but only one mobile phone can exist as the main device, and the other 4 mobile phones can only use the desktop version, web version or Portal version. If you don’t log in with your phone within 14 days, all devices will be forced to log out.
Limitation of automatic reply function – WhatsApp Business App only provides away message , greeting message and storing 50 quick replies. The functionality of these messaging tools is relatively limited.
Group messaging list limit – The WhatsApp Business App’s group messaging list can only add a maximum of 256 contacts, and if some contacts have not added the merchant’s contacts to their address books, they will not be able to receive messages from the merchant.
| WhatsApp Business | WhatsApp Business API | |
|---|---|---|
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Suitable for
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Micro businesses/l merchants
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SME/Large Enterprise
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How to apply
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Download on your own
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Apply through WhatsApp’s official designated supplier
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Green Tick business verification
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Cloud storage
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1 mobile phone
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(Chatalog backend, synchronized access across multiple devices) |
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Auto-reply feature
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Only 3 messaging tools
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（Various messaging tools) |
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Support teamwork
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Sign in on up to 5 devices simultaneously
(1 phone and 4 devices) |
（No limit on log in devices. Depending on the plan selected) |
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Scheduled broadcast list
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The max. number of single broadcast is
256 contacts
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（No limit on the number of contacts） |
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Customer service chatbot
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|
|
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Payment function
|
|
|
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Third-party system integration
|
|
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Despite these limitations, WhatsApp Business App can still serve as an effective tool to assist merchants in communicating with customers and managing their business. Merchants can upgrade to the WhatsApp Business API through Chatalog.ai to gain more advanced features and flexibility based on their needs and budget.
4. How do I get access to the WhatsApp Business API?
Although the WhatsApp Business API combines the benefits of WhatsApp Business with the advanced messaging features of the API, it cannot be downloaded directly from the application platform (such as App Store / Google Play). Instead, you need to connect the API to a third-party platform through the WhatsApp Business API provider to gain usage rights.
Chatalog.ai is the official WhatsApp Business API provider of Meta enterprise partners, which can support Hong Kong enterprises to meet the needs of multiple people using the same phone number to manage all WhatsApp conversations at the same time. In addition, Chatalog.ai also provides customized broadcast message template design to enhance customers’ message experience and increase marketing effectiveness.
8 Major Features of WhatsApp Business API
1. Green Tick business verification
Through the WhatsApp Business API official business account, merchants can display their business name on customers’ mobile phones, even if the customer has not saved the merchant’s phone number. When customers communicate with merchants, the merchant’s name will be displayed on the mobile phone page instead of the phone number. In addition, a “green tick business verification” logo will be displayed next to the merchant’s name, indicating that the brand has been officially verified as authentic, so that customers can communicate with the merchant with confidence and even purchase goods directly in the chat room.
At the same time, merchants can also establish a WhatsApp API Link, allowing customers to send messages directly to merchants without adding the merchant as a contact, making it easier for customers to interact with the merchant.
2. Brand new GPT customer service chatbot
Customer service chatbots interact with customers through interactive messages. Two main types of messages are List Message and Reply Button. Each list message provides up to 10 options, customers can add in option buttons according to their needs. The reply button provides up to 3 buttons, and the text length of each button should be less than 20 characters to ensure the text of each button is clear and easy to understand.
The use of interactive messages reduces the time required to understand customer inquiries, while allowing customers to obtain information more quickly and automating the process. In conjunction with the Chatalog.ai chatbot, interactive messages are used to guide users to explore and shop. The chatbot can also assign customer inquiries to relevant teams for follow-up.
Chatalog.ai is also the first to connect GPT to messaging platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, WeChat, etc. Just upload the file to Chatalog, and then connect to communication platforms such as WhatsApp, Messenger, and WeChat to let GPT learn your company’s information and build your ChatGPT assistant. No coding required. Even on weekends or outside office hours, GPT can help you automatically respond to customers around the world, and even help you convert more sales!
Reply Buttons
List Messages
3. Cloud storage
WhatsApp Business API will store customer information in the company’s cloud, storing customer conversation records and data. This is more secure than WhatsApp Business. WhatsApp Business API stores two message types including general conversation messages such as text, images, and stickers, and template messages approved by WhatsApp.
4. Automatic reply function
Replying to customer messages via WhatsApp is convenient for both brands and customers. However, brands often receive repeated inquiries or similar requests from customers, such as store opening hours, shipping arrangements, etc. To combat this, brands can use Chatalog.ai’s keyword autoresponders and chatbots to respond to customers instantly, or even offload complex queries to human agents.
5. Support team collaboration
Unlike the WhatsApp Business App, which only allows up to 5 devices to log in at the same time. All members of the team can use the same WhatsApp Business API business account to serve all customers through Chatalog.ai system. This allows team members to work together to deliver high-quality conversational sales and customer service. All customer information and conversation records will be stored in the cloud server, allowing merchants to have all customer information and conversation records.
6. Schedule broadcast list
WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business can only support scheduled broadcast messages to a maximum of 256 WhatsApp customers, and users will only receive broadcast messages if they save their business’s mobile phone number. There is no upper limit for the WhatsApp Business API. Companies can send WhatsApp messages to their customer base in large quantities through paid conversation, reaching over 10,000 customers in one batch!
Just submit a template message for approval, and once approved by WhatsApp, you can send group messages without any limit on the number of recipients. Merchants can take advantage of Chatalog.ai ‘s automatic customer tagging feature to customize segmented groups based on business needs. Relevant information can be broadcasted by product and customer groups.
Starting from June 2023, WhatsApp Business API will be charged on a per-conversation basis. WhatsApp officially charges merchants for each conversation. Messages of the same type within each 24 hours are counted as one conversation. For details, please click here.
Personalization is important to customers. There are three major categories of template messages including text template messages, media template messages, and interactive template messages. Chatalog.ai provides various template messages and variables to allow personalized elements, such as title, email, and membership code. In addition to text templates, merchants can also add images to create a more attractive and interactive message.
7. Payment function
Merchants can integrate WhatsApp Pay to use the payments feature by following the steps below:
Register as a WhatsApp API user – Merchants need to first register as a WhatsApp API user and obtain a WhatsApp API number.
Set up payment accounts – Merchants can set up and manage their payment accounts through the WhatsApp API’s console or through an agency. Merchants need to select supported banks and payment platforms.
Develop and test payment functionality – Merchants need to develop and test their payment functionality as per the documentation of WhatsApp API. Merchants need to ensure their payment features comply with WhatsApp’s payment policies and specifications.
Publish and Enable Payment Features – Once payment feature development and testing is complete, merchants can publish and enable their payment features through the WhatsApp API’s console or through agents. This way merchants can start payment interactions with customers.
Integrating WhatsApp Pay may also require compliance with local financial and payments regulations. Merchants should carefully study and comply with relevant laws and regulations before integrating payment functions.
8. Third-party system integration
WhatsApp Business API can be integrated with different third-party systems. Chatalog supports the integration of various enterprise-level solutions to meet business needs, including artificial intelligence (AI), data analysis, customer relationship management (CRM), e-commerce, etc.
FAQ
Yes, merchants can use broadcast template messages officially approved by WhatsApp.
Yes, broadcast template messages can include emoji icons in the content.
In addition to the fees charged by the official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider, the WhatsApp Business API is charged per conversation. Please click here for charging details
You can click here to sign up Chatalog.ai account, and then follow the instructions to connect your WhatsApp number. The process will take about 15 minutes to complete.
Yes, if you transfer from another BSP to Chatalog.ai, you can retain your green tick business verification, business name, rating, message credit, etc. contact us to transfer your account.
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