Connecting WhatsApp Business Account to Tech Partner Platforms: A Complete Guide

TL:DR

Integrating WhatsApp Business numbers with authorized technology providers offers businesses a streamlined approach to managing customer interactions. These providers offer advanced tools and services that enhance communication capabilities, such as automated messaging, analytics, and customer relationship management (CRM) integration. By leveraging these solutions, businesses can deliver more personalized and efficient customer experiences, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty. Meta emphasizes the importance of collaborating with these providers to fully utilize WhatsApp's potential for business communication.

We will be covering why and how you should integrate with a 3rd party technology provider approved by Meta (Facebook) to manage your WhatsApp Business Number.

Important Note: You cannot use numbers connected to a technology platform to work with a WhatsApp mobile or web app. You will not be able to make or receive phone calls using such platforms. Technology platforms such as Elevista.ai enable you to come up with a dashboard to manage customer support messages, make your content accessible through WhatsApp (text, image, video, AI-generated content, etc) come up with programmatic messaging flows, sell products, capture payments, have AI bots handle queries for you and more.

How to Integrate your WhatsApp Business Account with Meta's Technology Partner Platform (Approved 3rd Party Tech Providers)

Step 1:

It would help if you made sure to either:

1. Have a new SIM card that's not connected or installed on any WhatsApp personal or business apps

or

2. Delete your account by going to your mobile app, and clicking on Settings>Account>Delete Account (please note this option deletes all your chat history, so you may want to consider a new SIM card as per point 1), you can read more in here on deleting an account. Please note account deletion takes 3 minutes before you can use the number to onboard onto a technology provider with the same number. Once done your phone number will be detached from any apps and is ready to be used for a new purpose.

Please read option 1 before trying this.

Step 2: Log in with Facebook

Before continuing, if you're using us (i.e. Elevista.ai) as your Tech Partner directly or through one of our partners (e.g. Quench.ai), we will provide you with the page through which you can access the Login Page shared below. Please ensure you get in touch with us, share your phone number with us beforehand, and we'll share the page with the Facebook Log in button.

Once there, click on Login with Facebook on the Technology Provider's website to see the below pop-up, and click on Get Started (make sure you're logging in with Facebook in the right user account which can be seen on the top right-hand corner where it says Jane Smith i.e. your name).

Step 3: Connect your account to the platform page > Click Continue

Step 4: Create or select a Meta (Facebook) Business account

The Meta business account is either already set up and ready to be used, or you need to create one. All WhatsApp Business accounts need to be connected to a Meta Business account. For those selecting an existing Meta Business account, make sure your Facebook profile is an Admin of the account with full permission to make a successful integration.

Please note those who are creating a new Meta business account will need to verify an email sent to them later on. Please check your email for an email from Meta asking you to confirm your business email address in the subject line; simply click on the button on the email.

Step 5: Create or select a WhatsApp Business account

Please note WhatsApp Business account sits under the Meta Business account, and it sits on top of your WhatsApp Business number. WhatsApp Business numbers are therefore managed under a Whatsapp Business Account. Either select an existing account where it says Choose a WhatsApp business account or create a new one from the same drop-down box.

You can then select a number WhatsApp Business profile, or in most cases create a new one connected to your SIM card.

Step 6: Create a WhatsApp Business profile

This will be the profile of your WhatsApp Business number. This information is what your customers will see when communicating with you on WhatsApp.

Please note Meta has strict policies regarding the WhatsApp Business Profile Display Name and keeps rejecting names that do not comply with this policy. To be on the same side, your names for the Meta Account, WhatsApp Business Account, and WhatsApp profile should have a minimum level of similarity and consistency.

For instance:

Meta Business Account Name: Jasper's Market

WhatsApp Business Account name: Jasper's Market or Jasper's Fresh Produce Market

WhatsApp Business Profile Display name: Jasper's Market Support Department

For more information, please refer to Meta's naming policy here.

Step 7: Verify your phone number

You will need to have the SIM card on a phone to receive a text message/phone call to verify the ownership of the SIM card number (as a reminder, do not install the SIM on a mobile WhatsApp app, verification will take place through your network's text message or phone call).

Step 8: Finalize and click on Done

You will see the below page on the last step. Please make sure you click on Done.

Please note Meta has a WhatsApp pricing model and for that, you need to connect a Payment Method.

The first 1,000 customer-initiated conversations (customers messaging you first in a given 24-hour period) per month are free of charge. You can also send 250 business-initiated messages (you proactively push personalized messages to your customers) free of charge.

Many end up not exceeding these numbers, however, Meta requires you to have a valid payment method to cover any fees.

Meta's Solution Partners typically give you a credit line and invoice you at the end of the month for your usage, however Meta's Technology Partners such as Elevista.ai leave the power and billing in your hands to deal with Meta's WhatsApp usage.

You will be able to

Step 8.1: Verification and payment details

Please make sure to check your email for any verification emails as per Step 4 above which you need to click on to get verified.

Once your setup is completed, you can see your usage and check/enter your payment details by going to this Meta link.

You need to have a valid payment method on your Meta Business account even if you keep within the free tier subscription to make sure all your messages are successfully delivered.

P.S. Please note you can typically add and manage up to 2 WhatsApp Business numbers under each Meta Business Account. It is completely at Meta's discretion as to whether to increase your limit or not. On this page and under Registered Numbers Limit, they indicate that they will consider increasing the limit to a maximum of 20 for verified accounts, or those with more than 1,000 conversations within 30 days. There is no way to contact them via support to request this (this was the case in 2023, but not anymore), they will rather get in touch with you via email if you are approved.

You can apply here to verify your business to have a better chance of being considered.