WhatsApp Cloud API Channel Configuration

The native integration between Sagicc and the WhatsApp Business API, also known as the WhatsApp Business Platform, revolutionizes the way businesses interact with their customers through this popular and powerful communication channel. This integration allows businesses to create a WhatsApp Business account and profile in a matter of minutes and easily connect it with Sagicc, paving the way for more effective and successful customer interactions.

The integration between the WhatsApp Business API and your Sagicc instance offers a fundamental advantage: advanced capabilities for large-scale messaging and a wide variety of options for interacting with customers. This combination enables businesses to efficiently and personally send messages to a large number of customers, leveraging various types of messages. This flexibility strengthens the relationship with customers and significantly enhances the overall customer experience.

Differences between WhatsApp App and WhatsApp Business API

Unlike the WhatsApp app installed on a mobile phone, WhatsApp Business API offers advanced features designed for medium and large businesses looking to leverage a powerful tool. Some of the main differences between continuing to use the WhatsApp app on a phone and integrating the WhatsApp Business API into Sagicc are:

WhatsApp Business API Costs

To use the WhatsApp Business API, businesses must pay a fixed price per conversation, rather than per message. The cost varies depending on who initiates the interaction: the customer or the business. Generally, the first 1,000 conversations of the month are free for all users, and the prices per conversation vary by country. It is crucial to evaluate both the costs and the features offered by the integration before deciding to implement it, ensuring that the benefits for the company and operation outweigh the associated costs.

For more information about Meta's pricing model for the WhatsApp Business API, see the following link: Pricing - WhatsApp Business Platform (facebook.com).

Previous Requirements

To implement the WhatsApp Business API in your company, the first step is to obtain approval from Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp. The final enablement of the API is subject to the criteria established by WhatsApp, which you can consult in detail here: WhatsApp Business Terms of Service. In most cases, if your business is not involved in sectors restricted by WhatsApp, such as gambling, weapons, tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, or dating sites, you are likely to obtain approval without issues.

Additionally, it is essential to consider the size and operational needs of your business to determine if this form of WhatsApp management is suitable.

In addition to Meta's approval, there are other technical requirements necessary for the implementation of the WhatsApp Business API:

• Your company must have a business portfolio in the Meta Business Suite. If it has not been created yet, go to the following link to do so: Log in and access Meta Business Suite and the business manager (facebook.com).

• Your company must also have a business account manager (Business Account Manager) in Meta Business Suite. You can create it at the following link: Create a business portfolio in Meta Business Suite and the business manager | Meta for Business Help Center (facebook.com).

• It is also recommended to complete the business verification process with Meta. If not, the number of messages you can send in a month will be limited. For more information on the business verification process, see the following link: How to get the verified account badge on Facebook and Instagram | Meta for Business Help Center.

• Lastly, you will need an available phone number that is not associated with any WhatsApp account, either personal or business. This number must be able to receive calls or text messages to complete the WhatsApp setup and verification process. If you want to reuse a number that is already associated with a WhatsApp account, you can perform the migration by following this link: Migrate an Existing WhatsApp Number to a Business Account - Cloud API (facebook.com).

Configuring WhatsApp Cloud API Channel

When setting up a WhatsApp Cloud API channel, you will see the “Link Phone” button. For channel configuration, Sagicc requires connecting your company’s WhatsApp Business account and generating access tokens that will allow receiving and sending messages via WhatsApp. If you have not yet created a WhatsApp Business account, you can create one during this process. Ensure that pop-ups are enabled in your browser, click the button to start the configuration process, and follow the instructions to complete the integration.

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First, a pop-up window will open to start the process of connecting the WhatsApp Business account. Click “Log in with Facebook”.

Next, enter your email and password to log in with your personal Facebook account. Remember that this must have business admin access in Meta Business Suite to connect the WhatsApp Business account.

Once logged in, you will start the process of connecting the WhatsApp Business account. You will see a window indicating that TechniSupport SAS wants to access your WhatsApp Business account and your business portfolio. Click “Get Started” to continue the process.

In the next step, select or create the Business Portfolio under which the WhatsApp Business account is or will be hosted. Complete all the required information in the form and click “Next”.

Next, select the WhatsApp Business account. Then, select or create the WhatsApp Business profile. Click “Next”.

If you decide to create a new WhatsApp Business profile, complete all the information in the form. Remember that your profile information must be true and clear, as it will be seen by your customers on WhatsApp. Then, click “Next”.

Next, add the phone number that will be associated with your WhatsApp Business account. Enter the phone number and select the method by which you want to receive the code to verify the number: via text message or phone call. By clicking “Next”, you will receive the verification code through the selected method. Enter it to continue the process.

If the verification is successful, you will see the following confirmation message. Click “Finish” to return to Sagicc and complete the channel setup process.

Finally, you will be redirected to Sagicc to complete the channel configuration. Verify that the phone number to connect is correct, complete the other fields in the form, and click “Save”. If the process was successful, you will be redirected to the channel list, where you will see the newly configured channel.

Once the inbound channel, outbound channel, attention campaign, and users are configured, you can start receiving interactions through WhatsApp and manage communications with your customers through this channel.