What is WhatsApp Cloud API?
WhatsApp Cloud API represents the cloud-hosted iteration of the WhatsApp API, also recognized as the WhatsApp Business Platform. Unlike the previous On-premises API, which was hosted on Business Solutions Provider (BSP) servers or a company's private server, the Cloud API is now situated on Meta's cloud servers.
Acknowledging the limitations of the On-premises API, such as time-consuming application processes, delayed API updates for businesses, and associated high costs, Meta decided to introduce the WhatsApp Cloud API. This cloud-based alternative aims to provide a swifter and more cost-effective avenue for businesses to access the WhatsApp API.
Key Features of WhatsApp Cloud API:
Facilitates businesses and developers in tailoring WhatsApp experiences, enabling quick and easy customer responses, thus reducing onboarding time.
Offers a budget-friendly hosting solution.
Provides immediate access to new WhatsApp features upon releases
WhatsApp Cloud API Pricing
WhatsApp Cloud API charges are based on conversation. WhatsApp's conversation-based pricing is categorized into two segments: business-initiated conversations and user-initiated conversations, also known as service conversations.
Service conversations are initiated by customers, and businesses are billed for user-initiated conversation fees when responding within the 24-hour messaging window.
Business-initiated conversations occurring outside the 24-hour messaging window require businesses to employ a message template to commence the conversation.
WhatsApp extends a monthly allocation of 1,000 free conversations to businesses, applicable to both service conversations and business-initiated conversations. However, effective June 1, 2023, this free allocation will be limited exclusively to service conversations.
Check conversation based pricing guideline.
How can I setup WhatsApp Cloud API?
This user manual will help businesses to connect with WhatsApp cloud API.
Pre-requisites
Meta Developer Account – https://developers.facebook.com/
WhatsApp Business Account (WABA Account) – https://business.facebook.com/
Mobile Number – It should be a fresh mobile number, and should not be connected to any other WhatsApp Service (WhatsApp App)
WhatsApp Cloud API Setup Checklist
Create a Facebook app for WhatsApp
Connect your Facebook business account with the developer app
Connect the number
Setup the webhook URL
Setup the permanent Token
Provide details to Conversive team to enable WhatsApp Cloud API
WhatsApp Cloud API Setup Steps
Businesses will have to go to the developer account. Click on the link, and you will be redirected to the developer account directly (Meta for Developers)
2.After logging into the developer account, the business needs to click on “My Apps”
3.Click on “Create New App” to create a new app for the business
4.Add the use case and click “Next”
5.Select the app type from the available options
6.Create APP
After selecting the app type, enter your business details. Click “Create App” to create the app on your Facebook business page.
7.After entering all the details, click on the “WhatsApp” option, inside the newly created app.
8.Select “WhatsApp” and click on “Setup” and it will take you to the “WhatsApp Business Platform API”. Select the existing business account if you have one, else Facebook will automatically create a new account. Click on ‘Create a Business Account’.
9.Once this process is complete we need to add a phone number. Go to the API Setup option inside that app.
Submit the details for adding a new phone number
10.The next step is to Configure Webhook
Go to WhatsApp -> Configuration
Once you click on Edit, you need to add below details –
Callback URL – https://api.beconversive.com/messages/incoming/whatsapp/magicwhatsapp?hub.mode=subscribe&hub.challenge=1158201444
Verify token – alphasecretchecksmsmagicwhatsapp
And click 'Verify and Save’
12.Create system user
13.Create a System User. Give a name to “System Username”, Select User Role as “Admin”, and click on the Create System User button. This step is valid only when the admin user is not already created.
14.On the same page, click on the Add Assets button
15.First, from the modal, navigate to the left-hand side and choose “Apps” as the asset type. Pick your desired app from the list of available apps. Activate the “Full control” option by sliding the button next to it. This action empowers you to manage your app efficiently. Finally, secure your changes by clicking on the “Save Changes” button.
16.Click on the Generate New Token button
17.Choose your preferred app from the dropdown labeled “Select App.”
18.Scroll down to the section titled “Available permissions” and make sure to select both “whatsapp_business_messaging” and “whatsapp_business_management” from the provided list.
19.To complete the process, click the “Generate Token” button located at the bottom
20.Share the WhatsApp business ID, Phone Number, Permanent token, and your Account ID with Conversive Support
21.The Conversive team will configure your credentials at the backend and you will see WhatsApp SenderID in the Converse Desk.