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WhatsApp Business Integration Guide
WhatsApp Business Integration Guide
Alex avatar
Written by Alex
Updated over 3 weeks ago

How to Connect Your WhatsApp Business Number

Connect your WhatsApp Business number to Hostify and manage guest communications from your unified inbox. Send and reply to messages effortlessly in one place.

Requirements

  1. Facebook (Meta) Account: A valid Facebook (Meta) account is required to set up and manage your WhatsApp Business integration.

  2. Meta Business Manager with Admin Rights: Ensure you have administrator access to your Meta Business Manager account.

  3. Verified Business: You have to complete Meta’s business verification process to establish your credibility.

  4. Phone Number: A phone number ready to use for WhatsApp Business. Per Meta guidelines, the number must not be linked to any existing WhatsApp Business or personal WhatsApp account.

    1. If Your Number Is Already Registered: If your number is already linked to WhatsApp, delete the existing account before proceeding:

      1. Open WhatsApp.

      2. Go to Settings > Account > Delete My Account.

      3. Enter your phone number in international format and confirm.

      4. Select a reason for deletion and tap Delete Account.

  5. Valid Payment Method: A credit or debit card linked to your WhatsApp Business account for payment purposes.

Important: We recommend connecting a new number.
​
If you choose to use your existing WhatsApp Business number, you will need to disconnect it first from the mobile app. This will permanently delete all preexisting conversations, and the data cannot be recovered. This is a restriction imposed by Facebook/Meta, and Hostify has no control over it.

Things to Know

  1. What is Meta Business Manager?

    • Meta Business Manager is a platform by Meta that allows businesses to manage their assets, such as pages, ad accounts, and WhatsApp Business Accounts, all in one place.

  2. What is WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)?

    • WABA stands for WhatsApp Business Account. It is the central account used to manage your business’s presence and messaging on WhatsApp.

Step 1: Initiate the Connection

  1. Navigate to the Apps Section in Hostify

    • Go to Apps > WhatsApp
      ​

  2. Activate the integration with WhatsApp
    ​

  3. Connect with Facebook

    • You will be redirected to Meta’s WhatsApp Business setup flow.

    • Follow Meta’s Connection Process.
      ​

Step 2: Start The Meta Authorization Process

During the process, you will consent to authorize Hostify to manage your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA).

  1. Login to Facebook

    1. We recommend to use an existing Facebook profile.

    2. If you are already logged in the same browser - only one-click confirmation is needed.

Step 3: Set Up Your Business Account

  1. Meta Business Portfolio Setup:

    • Option 1: Create a New Meta Business Portfolio.

      • Provide generic business information. Note that the phone number entered here is not necessarily used for messaging.

    • Option 2: Use an Existing Business Portfolio (recommended).

      • If you don't see your Meta Business ensure you have full admin rights.
        ​

  2. WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

    • Option 1: Create a New WABA

      • Hostify recommends creating a new WhatsApp business account.

      • Enter an internal and public name for your new Whatsapp business account

      • Select a category.

    • Option 2: Select an Existing WABA

      • If you choose an existing WABA, proceed to create a new profile or connect an existing profile (number).

  3. Create a WhatsApp Profile (Phone)
    ​    Each WhatsApp business phone is treated as a separate WhatsApp Business Profile.

    • Profile Information Required:

      • Business Name

      • Category

      • Description

Step 4: Add a Phone Number

  1. Options for Adding Numbers

    • New Number: If the number has not been used for WhatsApp Business before.

    • Existing Number: If the number is currently linked to a WhatsApp account:

      • Disconnect or delete the existing WhatsApp account.

      • Retry the connection within 3 minutes.

      • If this step exceeds 5 minutes, the authentication process may time out and need restarting.

  2. Phone Verification

    • Verify the number via text or call.

    • Enter the code upon request to finish the verification.

Step 5: Confirm The Connection

Meta provides an overview of the performed actions and granted access. Please review and confirm. Once done, your WhatsApp Business number will be successfully connected to Hostify.

Step 6: Enter Payment Details in Meta

To fully activate messaging, Meta requires a payment method:

  1. Go to your Meta Business Account (business portfolio).

  2. Select Payment & Billing.
    ​

  3. Click Payment Methods.

  4. If prompted with a warning about missing permissions, assign yourself finance-related permissions to add the payment method.
    ​

    1. You might need to assign the permissions to yourself as is not automatically assigned by Meta.

  5. Select the associated WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) during the authorization process.

  6. Add your payment details (e.g., credit card).

  7. Set your newly added payment method as "Default".
    ​

  8. Finally add your business details, related to the payment method once prompted.
    ​

Step 7: Manage Message Templates

  1. Why Templates?

    • WhatsApp requires a pre-approved message template to initiate communication with a contact. Once the user replies, WhatsApp allows you to communicate freely within 24 hours. After this period, a template message is mandatory to re-engage or start a new conversation.

  2. Create a Template

    • In Hostify, you can create a new template and send it to Meta for review and approval.

    • Required fields:

      • Internal Name: A nickname for the template.

      • Type: Indicate if the template is for guests or hosts.

      • Language and Message: Include the message text, which can have placeholders for dynamic content.

    • Ensure placeholders are mapped to the correct fields in Hostify - each placeholder has an index and has to be mapped to the corresponding field in Hostify.

    • Approval Process: Usually takes less than a minute but can take up to several hours.
      ​

  3. Import Templates

    • Once the connection is initiated, existing templates in the WhatsApp Business Account will be imported into Hostify.

    • Use the "Sync Templates" button to perform imports on demand.

    • After import, map placeholders in templates to corresponding fields in Hostify before use.
      ​

  4. Template Library

    • Hostify provides a library of templates for common use cases.

    • Pre-mapped placeholders make these templates ready to use.

    • Templates can be selected and activated for your account.

    • Once activated, they undergo the usual Meta approval process.
      ​

  5. For Existing WABA

    • Templates will be automatically imported into Hostify.

    • Ensure placeholders are correctly mapped to Hostify variables for all the newly imported templates.

  6. For New WABA

    • New accounts do not have templates by default.

    • Options:

      • Import templates from Hostify’s library.

      • Create custom templates and map placeholders to Hostify variables.

Step 8: Business Verification (if required)

  1. Meta Business Verification Process

    • If your Meta Business Portfolio is unverified, Meta may request verification.

    • Upload necessary legal documents (e.g., business registration) in Meta Business Manager.

  2. Timeline

    • Verification typically takes a few days, depending on Meta’s review process.

Your WhatsApp Business integration with Hostify is now complete. You can start engaging with your customers directly through WhatsApp!

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