WhatsApp Business Platform (API) Overview
WhatsApp API is designed for medium to large companies that want to use WhatsApp with multiple users. It presents an attractive opportunity for businesses to broadcast messages to a wider audience and monitor agents’ and teams’ performances. However, WhatsApp API does not come with an interface to send and receive messages. Fortunately, respond.io solves that problem by providing you with an easy-to-use messaging platform that allows businesses to easily sign up and connect to the WhatsApp API.
WhatsApp API is not free to use and incurs charges based on the number of conversations. Learn more about WhatsApp Pricing.
If you have a WhatsApp API account from another Business Solution Provider (BSP), you can migrate your phone number to respond.io.
Pre-requisites to Sign Up for a WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account
Here are a few things you need to prepare and understand before getting a WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account:
Respond.io account
Phone Number (3 options):
Use your own phone number
Virtual Phone Number
Add a phone number later
Meta Business Manager (MBM)
Respond.io account
You’ll need a respond.io account to get access to the platform for the WhatsApp API sign up process.
Phone Number
Use your own phone number
The phone number must be valid (can receive SMS or phone call for OTP verification).
If your number is already in use on the WhatsApp Personal App or WhatsApp Business App, you must delete your account first. Learn how to migrate your existing WhatsApp number.Your phone number must not be from any of these restricted countries:
Your phone number must not be from any of these restricted countries:
Crimea (+7978)
Cuba (+53)
Iran (+98)
North Korea (+850)
Syria (+963)
Use a Meta-provided Virtual Phone Number
To simplify onboarding, Meta now offers free Virtual Phone Numbers (555 business phone numbers) during the sign-up process. To get a Virtual Phone Number, select "Use a display name only" during setup.
Benefits:
No need to purchase a new phone number.
Auto-verified (No OTP verification required).
Seamless integration into the onboarding process without additional setup.
These virtual numbers allow businesses to immediately complete onboarding and start using WhatsApp without delays.
Add a phone number later
Important: This option is not recommended, as selecting it will prevent the Channel from being connected.
You may see an “Add a phone number later” option during the WhatsApp sign-up flow if your WhatsApp Business Account already has a phone number attached.
To complete setup smoothly and start using WhatsApp right away, we recommend adding a phone number during sign-up by selecting either:
“Use a display name only” to get a free virtual phone number from Meta, or
“Use a new or existing WhatsApp number” to connect your own number.
Choosing one of these options ensures your WhatsApp Channel is fully set up and ready for messaging once the sign-up process is completed.
Meta Business Manager
You need a Meta Business Manager (MBM) to sign up for a WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account. However, if you currently do not have one, you can create one during the embedded sign-up process.
Ensure that your business adheres to the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
Ensure that you have an Admin access level in your MBM.
When filling out your business info in your MBM, ensure that your website is valid.
What is a valid website?
- Viewable and belongs to your business
- Has a matching email domain and web address
- Features your company's name or logo.
Having a valid website in your MBM serves as a best practice to prevent any potential issues if and when you want to apply for Meta Business Verification.
Connecting WhatsApp Business Platform (API) to respond.io
On respond.io, navigate to Workspace settings > Channels > Click Add Channel.
Look for the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) Channel card from the Channel Catalog > Click Connect.
Select your connection method, then click Get Started to proceed through the eligibility checks.
Click Connect with Facebook button and log in to your Facebook account.
Click Continue to grant permissions for respond.io to manage your WhatsApp Business account and billing.
Select an existing Meta Business portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account > Click Next.
If you do not have a Meta Business portfolio or a WhatsApp Business Account, you can create them.
Under Business portfolio, select Create a business portfolio.
Under WhatsApp Business Account, select Create a WhatsApp Business account.
Click Next.
The following steps will show you how to create a new Meta Business portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account in the same sign-up flow.
After creating your Meta Business portfolio and WhatsApp Business Account
, continue to the next step to Add your WhatsApp phone number.
To add your WhatsApp phone number, you can either select Use a display name only to receive a free Virtual Phone Number from Meta or add your own number by selecting Add a new number.
If you selected Add a new number, verify your phone number with the code provided via text message or phone call > Click Next.
Review what you’ll share with our platform > Click Confirm.
Click Finish.
Congratulations! You have successfully signed up and connected your WhatsApp Business Platform (API) Channel with respond.io.
You can edit your profile information such as adding a profile photo, address, description and other configurations. Learn more about managing your WhatsApp Business Platform (API) profile here.
Ensure your WABA/MBM currency is set to USD. This step is crucial to avoid issues with sending business-initiated conversations, even when you have sufficient credits.
Send a Test Message
Once you have successfully signed up and connected your WhatsApp Business Platform (API) Channel, you can send test messages to your WhatsApp Business Account and reply to messages on the respond.io platform.
Send a test message - Use this link https://wa.me/{phoneNumber} link to start sending test messages to your WhatsApp Business account.
Reply to the test message -Navigate to the Inbox module in the respond.io platform to send a reply.
Alternatively, you can try using our WhatsApp Link Generator to generate a chat link for your phone number to send a test message.
What’s Next?
You’ve successfully signed up for a WhatsApp Business Platform (API) account and connected the Channel to respond.io. You are now ready to move on to the next step of your journey - Getting Ready for Inbound Conversations.
