# WhatsApp Business API Quick Start

### &#x20;<a href="#whats_app_business_api_overview" id="whats_app_business_api_overview"></a>

<figure><img src="/files/mHPbIRamWDMpqTbaS5yE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### WhatsApp Business API Overview <a href="#whats_app_business_api_overview" id="whats_app_business_api_overview"></a>

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, IS-Messenger 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.

{% hint style="warning" %}
WhatsApp API is not free to use and incurs charges based on the number of conversations. Learn more about [<mark style="color:red;">WhatsApp Pricing here</mark>](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/whatsapp-pricing.md)<mark style="color:red;">.</mark>
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you have a WhatsApp API account from another Business Solution Provider (BSP), you can [migrate your phone number to IS-Messenger here](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/phone-number-migration-to-is-messenger-whatsapp-business-api.md).
{% endhint %}

### Pre-requisites to Sign Up for a WhatsApp Business API account <a href="#pre_requisites_to_sign_up_for_a_whats_app_business_api_account" id="pre_requisites_to_sign_up_for_a_whats_app_business_api_account"></a>

Here are a few things you need to prepare and understand before getting a WhatsApp Business API account:

* IS-Messenger account
* Phone Number
* Meta Business Manager (MBM)

### **IS-Messenger account**

You’ll need a IS-Messenger account to get access to the platform for the WhatsApp API sign up process.

### **Phone Number**

* The phone number used for WhatsApp Business API must be valid (can send and receive SMS).
* If you want to use a number connected to your personal WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App, you must first delete your account. Learn how to [migrate from WhatsApp personal or WhatsApp Business App here](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/phone-number-migration-to-is-messenger-whatsapp-business-api.md).
* Your phone number must not be from any of these [restricted countries](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/cloud-api/support/troubleshooting#country-restrictions):
  * Crimea (+7978)
  * Cuba (+53)
  * Iran (+98)
  * North Korea (+850)
  * Syria (+963)

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that businesses in Turkey can sign up for a WhatsApp API account but is limited to communications with customers with non-Turkish phone number. More information about this limitation and alternative options [here](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/whatsapp-messaging-limits.md).
{% endhint %}

### **Meta Business Manager**

* You need a [Meta Business Manager](https://business.facebook.com/) (MBM) to sign up for a WhatsApp Business 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](https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/business-policy/?fbclid=IwAR0r5k_N1rCYnfK8yyCWUP3D88tVCR814x9UX-w5EIcu8ai8b8is8ilrAQY).
* When filling out your business info in your MBM, ensure that your website is valid.

{% hint style="info" %}

#### **What is a valid website?** \&#xNAN;**-** 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](https://www.facebook.com/business/help/2058515294227817?id=180505742745347).

{% endhint %}

### How to Sign Up for WhatsApp Business API <a href="#how_to_sign_up_for_whats_app_business_api" id="how_to_sign_up_for_whats_app_business_api"></a>

{% hint style="warning" %}
Ensure that you have an Admin access level in your MBM.
{% endhint %}

Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on how to sign up for a WhatsApp Business API account and connect your Channel to IS-Messenger.

### **Steps to sign up for WhatsApp Business API account and connect your Channel on** **IS-Messenger**

1. On the IS-Messenger platform’s [Channel Settings](/ismessenger/workspace-setting/channels.md)
2. Click **Add Channel** > Select **WhatsApp Business API** > **Next.**
3. Click **Connect With Facebook** and sign in using your Facebook account.
4. Click **Get Started.**
5. Click **Continue** to grant permissions for IS-Messenger to manage your WhatsApp Business account and billing.
6. Select an existing Meta Business account or create a new account. (The following steps will show you the steps to create a new Meta Business account)
7. Fill in your Business details and make sure your [website is valid](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/whatsapp-business-api-quick-start.md#meta-business-manager) > Click **Next**.
8. Under Choose a WhatsApp Business account, select **Create a WhatsApp Business account.** Under Create or select a WhatsApp Business profile, select **Create a new WhatsApp Business profile** > Click **Next.**
9. Fill in your business details as necessary > click **Next**.
10. Add your WhatsApp phone number and choose a verification method.
11. Verify your phone number with the 6-digit verification code > click **Next.**
12. Click **Finish**.
13. Select the phone number to be connected and click **Done** to complete the setup.

{% hint style="success" %}
Congratulations! You have successfully signed up and connected your WhatsApp Business API Channel with IS-Messenger
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
You can edit your profile information such as adding a profile photo, address, description and other configurations. Learn more about [managing your WhatsApp Business API profile here](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/whatsapp-business-platform-api-channel-configuration.md).
{% endhint %}

### Send a Test Message <a href="#send_a_test_message" id="send_a_test_message"></a>

Once you have successfully signed up and connected your WhatsApp Business API Channel, you should receive an email from IS-Messenger. The email provides you with a link to send test messages to your WhatsApp Business Account and reply to messages on the IS-Messenger platform.

* **Send a test message** - Click on the *<https://wa.me/{phoneNumber}>* link to start sending test messages to your WhatsApp Business account.
* **Reply to the test message** - Click on the **Start replying to customers now** button to send a reply in the IS-Messenger platform.
*

```
<figure><img src="/files/Zo7MRzsjjsso1HWmbMPg" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
```

{% hint style="info" %}
Alternatively, you can try using our WhatsApp Link Generator to generate a chat link for your phone number to send a test message.
{% endhint %}

### What’s Next? <a href="#what_s_next" id="what_s_next"></a>

You’ve successfully signed up for a WhatsApp Business API account and connect the channel to IS-Messenger. You are now ready to move on to the next step of your journey - [Getting Ready for Inbound Conversations](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/whatsapp/getting-ready-for-inbound-conversations.md).


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