WhatsApp Business API: Overview, functions and pricing 2022

Here’s the essential guide to the WhatsApp Business API you’ve all been waiting for! “What is an API?” you might ask. API stands for Application Programming Interface. It refers to a software intermediary that allows two applications to communicate with each other.

For example, you’re at a restaurant and you are deciding what to eat by looking at the menu. The kitchen at the back is in charge of preparing all food orders. The critical missing link here is the waiter – also known as the API –  who will communicate your order to the kitchen and deliver the food back to you.

Similarly, that’s what the WhatsApp Business API does! However, as illustrated above, the WhatsApp Business API only works as a messenger. Therefore, in order to use the WhatsApp Business API, businesses will need to choose a provider and integrate it with software.

There are many other things you can do with the WhatsApp Business API, such as utilizing WhatsApp links that make it easier for customers to contact your business and also incorporating a WhatsApp Manager to better manage the surge in conversations!

What is WhatsApp Business API?

So, what exactly is WhatsApp Business API?

In overly simplified terms, WhatsApp Business API can be explained as an upgraded version of the WhatsApp Business App.

WhatsApp Business API is a tool, specially designed for businesses to power communication with customers all across the globe safely and effectively. While the WhatsApp Business App supports small businesses with basic functions such as business profiles, auto-replies, labels, and more, the options are rather limited, especially for those dealing with a greater number of clients and daily inquiries.

Great things come with a price, and indeed, WhatsApp Business API is a paid solution; however, it is only reasonable to say that the value is way over its worth. Other than the security and reliability it brings to both businesses and customers, WhatsApp Business API offers a wide range of additional features including quick replies, chatbots, multiple logins, mass broadcasting, personalized messages, and many more to help businesses sell better online.

How is WhatsApp Business API different from WhatsApp Business App?

Considering the differences between WhatsApp Business API and WhatsApp Business App is crucial. If a budget is required for this messaging solution, it will only make sense for business owners, marketers, customer support, or sales to truly weigh the pros and cons of each option, ensuring that the decision caters to the business needs.

*Third-party WhatsApp Business API providers are no longer available since June 2022 in accordance to Meta's policy change.

The differences, at one glance, can be summarized as shown in the table above. To understand each of the distinct features in-depth, read on.

7 advantages of WhatsApp Business API

What can you do with the WhatsApp Business API?

The possibilities are endless! Businesses can integrate the WhatsApp Business API with platforms like SleekFlow to access more functions and increase workflow efficiency.

As we work through these 7 advantages of WhatsApp Business API, the benefits of WhatsApp Business API will be as clear as day.

Verified WhatsApp Business accounts

When using the WhatsApp Business App to contact customers, only the phone number will be displayed.

In contrast, WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to have an Official WhatsApp Business account, showing the business name instead of the business phone number, displayed even if the customer has not saved the business’s phone number yet.

On top of that, there will also be a tiny green verification tick next to your business name to show authenticity and reliability.

With the WhatsApp business verification applied, you can avoid your WhatsApp Business account from being banned, saving the time and effort to go through all the hassle and suffering the consequences of never being able to use that number on WhatsApp again.

Read more about the steps for unblocking your WhatsApp account here.

WhatsApp template messages

There are two types of WhatsApp Business Messages: Template Messages and Session Messages. 

WhatsApp Template Messages are pre-approved message templates for outbound notifications like delivery alerts and appointment reminders.

Template Messages cannot be used for marketing. You must use a WhatsApp Template Message if more than 24 hours have elapsed since the user’s last response to you. Any other types of messages sent outside the 24-hour window will fail to reach the user.

Creating template messages

When using official WhatsApp Business API providers such as 360dialog or Twilio, each template will need to be approved before it can be sent out. The approval process usually takes around 1 to 2 days for each template.

When creating a message template, you must add the following:

• Name: A message template name can only contain lowercase alphanumeric characters and underscores. No other characters or spaces are allowed.

• Type: Select the appropriate template type from the drop-down list. The template type must fall under one of the template type options, e.g. appointment update, issue resolution, payment update, etc.

• Translations: All message template translations must be provided by you in the format below. The element name will be the same for all translations. When sending a message template from the WhatsApp Business API, you will specify the language you would like the message template to be displayed in by using the language field.

• Variables: The correct format for variables is this string: {{#}}, where # represents the variable index. Note: variables must begin at {{1}}.

Formatting template messages

WhatsApp allows for basic formatting in message templates. Here are the formatting rules:

Template message variables

When submitting a text-based template message for approval, you can add unique variables to personalize messages to your customers. Do note that each template message needs to contain at least one variable.

The variables are represented by numbered placeholders such as ‘{{x}}’. Each variable can be replaced with text that contains letters, digits, special characters, or spaces. 

However, variables cannot contain the following:

• New lines

• Tabulators

• More than four consecutive spaces

For example, if you want your customer to receive this message:

You would need to submit the following template:

Do note that WhatsApp will not approve templates with floating variables. Floating variables are lines with just variables and do not contain texts. Please surround the variables with information so it is clear what kind of data is inserted. 

WhatsApp session messages

As mentioned above, there are two types of WhatsApp Business Messages: Template Messages and Session Messages. 

WhatsApp Session Messages are any messages sent and received in response to a user-initiated message. A messaging session starts when a user sends you a message and lasts for 24 hours from the most recently received message. You can then wait for users to message you, or instead, send a Template Message to invite the user to respond. 

WhatsApp Business API Conversation-based Pricing 2022

From February 2022 onwards, WhatsApp officially introduced a conversation-based model for the official WhatsApp Business API. No matter if it's Template Messages or Session Messages, they are all charged according to the number of conversations, depending on if the message is business-initiated or user-initiated.

Firstly, the starting 1000 conversations are free of charge!

After that, the pricing for each type of conversation will follow the country that your business is:

To understand further how conversation-based pricing works, check out our blog on the WhatsApp Business API pricing.

WhatsApp Pricing Calculator

We understand that the maths can get a bit confusing, that's why we have the WhatsApp Pricing Calculator for you to calculate your messaging costs!

Interactive messages

WhatsApp offers interactive messages to encourage customer engagement. They provide the users with simpler options to communicate the products or services they need from your business.

Remember how back in the school days when we used to prefer multiple-choice questions over long-answer questions for exams? The same goes for this!

This fully explains why interactive messages tend to have significantly higher response rates and conversions compared to informational, text-based messages.

List messages

WhatsApp enables businesses to engage customers using list messages with up to 10 options, making the message flow simple, consistent, and efficient.

Reply buttons

Up to 3 options can be provided for the users. This means that business users can design 3 buttons for the customers to select. It can even be combined with list messages when customizing an interactive message flow!

An important note when using interactive messages is that they can only be sent within 24 hours after the user-initiated message is sent. Also, the customers will not be able to select more than one option at a time, but they will be able to return to previous text messages.

WhatsApp Broadcast

With the broadcast function, businesses can send out mass, but personalized messages to their customers to offer details about events or promotions.

Undoubtedly, this saves businesses a lot of time as marketers will no longer have to copy and paste each text individually while ensuring the customer’s name is spelled correctly!

For example, logistic firms can use this function to notify their customers of deliveries, educational firms can also use this to send out seat confirmations for seminars, and supermarkets can use this to send out flash promotions.

Multiple logins

Gone are the days when customer support agents need to fight for the one phone with the WhatsApp Business app installed!

With the WhatsApp Business API, multiple agents can access the businesses’ WhatsApp phone numbers at the same time.

Hence, this does not only allow more customer service agents to serve more customers at a time but also allows cross-functional team collaboration.

Chatbots

For the purpose of efficiency, use a chatbot! Generally, chatbots can be used to cut down the amount of time used for customer service by screening the customer’s needs.

Following this, the customer will then be routed to the relevant department automatically to get the best answers to their queries.

Automated messaging rules

Through WhatsApp Business API, businesses can automatically assign incoming chats to various agents based on specific rules.

This will markedly improve team efficiency as customer service agents can spend more time attending to customer needs instead of manually assigning chats.

Furthermore, with SleekFlow, chats can also be automatically reassigned to a different agent if the initial agent’s status has been set to “away”.

This in turn reduces the customer’s waiting time while ensuring that the customer service agents have sufficient breaks and rest time.

Lead generation tools

Next, businesses can make their WhatsApp number more accessible by adding it to a live chat widget on their websites.

As customers enjoy the convenience, lead generation rates may increase as more conversations are launched by clicking on the WhatsApp icon on the widget.

Product catalog

With WhatsApp Business API, your customers can even shop in the chat! This feature can encourage impulse shopping, and on top of that, offer the consumers a faster, more efficient, and coherent buyer's journey. As they share their positive experience with others, you'll get marketing for free too!

Payment links

From social to order and payment, the shopping experience becomes frictionless on the WhatsApp Business API. Simply generate a payment link for your customers to pay directly in the chat. The fewer the steps, the more likely it is for the consumers to buy more.

Integrations

Lastly, use a single platform like SleekFlow to manage your customer service workflows. 

Integrate various messaging channels as well as add a myriad of customer relationship management software, or even your calendar, payment gateway, task management, etc.

Essentially, make SleekFlow your go-to platform for all things customer!

Who should consider using WhatsApp Business API?

The useful functions of the WhatsApp Business API are extremely attractive, but it is still vital for business owners to consider the suitability of its usage based on their working industry.

1. Retail

The sale of goods and services directly to consumers makes the retail industry a rather fast-moving sector in the world of businesses. As digital technology drives customers towards online shopping and inquiries, O2O retail techniques are no longer an unfamiliar option to most retailers.

For retail businesses, a large number of daily incoming messages from customers can be quite overwhelming and time-consuming to manage. This makes WhatsApp Business API the most appropriate solution as it allows for automation, chatbot, and broadcasting, while at the same time making the account appear more trustable and reliable.

2. Automotive

Before going for a test drive, customers are bound to acquire information about the vehicle that they are interested in. If the customers call in and the line is constantly busy, it may result in a massive loss of leads over time. In this case, the list messages and reply buttons on WhatsApp Business API are definitely useful to save manpower in attending to these new and potential customers.

Also, WhatsApp Business API will be able to ease the procedures of scheduling and making appointments as they progress, thus improving customer satisfaction.

3. Telecommunication

Telecom service providers almost always receive millions of inquiries every day. Most of the time, these customers desire an immediate, personalized response, taking a toll on the customer service team.

Similarly, these challenges of dealing with complex operational processes and related problems can be dealt with by using WhatsApp Business API.

4. Fintech

Blooming e-commerce and the demand for fast, secured digital payments are propelling the fintech revolution. With the integration of advanced technologies including AI, data science, and more, businesses in the field surely understand the importance of having a stable and efficient chat management platform.

The WhatsApp Business API will be a fine addition to their deployment of various sophisticated tools for decreasing the response time of messages while delivering financial services of the utmost quality, security, and privacy.

Explore how AQUMON leads the fintech industry with WhatsApp Business API on SleekFlow.

5. Human Resources

Human resources are all about managing human capital and guiding each individual to their fullest potential. The amount of communication and interaction on top of other paperwork and tasks can cause an unbearable volume of workload. Not to mention that the questions from employees or operational procedures are often repetitive.

This problem can no doubt be solved effortlessly using the WhatsApp Business API. Why repeat the excessive steps when the time can be utilized more efficiently with other duties?

How to create a WhatsApp Business API account?

Firstly, businesses will need to choose a WhatsApp provider. These providers will process the business’ WhatsApp Business accounts and Template Messages by sending relevant information to WhatsApp.

Understandably, there are many different providers in the market that businesses can choose from, and it might get a little overwhelming. To simplify the selection process, we have chosen two providers – 360 Dialog and Twilio which provide the Official WhatsApp Business API, and Chat API* which provides the third-party WhatsApp Business API.

Find out more about the comparison between the official WhatsApp Business API and Chat API* here.

*Chat API is no longer in service since June 2022 due to Meta's policy change. Learn how to apply for WhatsApp Business API with our guide here.

Already an existing third-party or Chat API* user? SleekFlow is offering an exclusive limited-time offer with 20% off the first three months just for you. Grab your monthly subscription plan by entering the promo code on the payment page before it ends on the 30th of September 2022.

Getting started with WhatsApp Business API through SleekFlow

Upon deciding to incorporate the all-mighty WhatsApp Business API, businesses will then have to choose a platform solution that best fits their needs. Businesses who are looking for a holistic customer experience platform can consider using SleekFlow!

SleekFlow has user-friendly web and mobile versions that integrate well with the WhatsApp Business API and other messaging apps. In addition, SleekFlow also has added capabilities of integrating with your existing CRM stacks to ensure a smooth onboarding process and experience. There will be more amazing features to come too!

For now, let us just run you through the process of applying for the WhatsApp Business API on SleekFlow with this detailed step-by-step guide, so you can get a clearer idea of how things work once the collaboration begins.

Step 1: Navigating to channel settings

Go to channels, click Add button on WhatsApp.

Step 2: Connect to an Official WhatsApp Business account

Next, you can book a free consultation for our sales team to walk you through the process or connect to it on your own by selecting 'Connect Now'.

You will then be directed to a listing of features for the Official WhatsApp Business API.

• Fast and reliable connection

• Green tick badge verification (*subject to WhatsApp approval)

• Requires the purchase of a new virtual phone number

• Requires approval from WhatsApp: 2-3 weeks of verification & application period

• Up to 100,000 messages per day with a registered template message without the risk of getting blocked

• The monthly fee of USD 12.50 (HKD 95) with 360dialog, the official Business Solution Provider (BSP), or the pay-as-you-go fees charged based on the number of messages sent with Twilio (USD 0.005 /message)

Click on 'Connect' to continue.

Step 3: Create a 360dialog account

While existing Twilio account holders can choose to connect to Twilio, new users are encouraged to connect to 360dialog as they offer prices with no markup.

Furthermore, creating a new 360dialog account under SleekFlow will allow you to get a special price of only USD 12.50 per month, as compared to the original monthly fee of USD 50 to 65.

*Some WhatsApp Business API providers mark up their prices with extra service fees. Choose wisely.

Step 4: Connect using a new or existing phone number

To create a new account on 360dialog, set up with the new phone number you purchased for your business. You may also use an existing phone number, but a new number is recommended. A Skype number can be purchased for this purpose.

Before you proceed to the following step, it is important that you complete the verification for your Facebook Business account.

In some cases, the Facebook Business verification icon can be greyed out, but the process can be enabled by linking your account to Facebook for Developers.

After completing the Facebook Business verification, click on 'Sign up at 360dialog'.

Step 5: Fill in the application form

Simply fill in the information accordingly and click on 'Accept Terms'.

Step 6: Connect your Facebook Business account

After that, you will need to connect this new account to your Facebook Business account. You may follow through the steps by creating a new Facebook Business account or connecting to an existing one.

Step 5: Verify phone number

Fill in the phone number that you want to use for your WhatsApp Business account.

You will be prompted to fill in the 6-digit verification code received on the phone number.

Step 6: Generate API key

Lastly, generate an API key on the screen, then copy and paste it on SleekFlow to connect.

Congratulations! You now have an Official WhatsApp Business API account that can be connected to all of the other channels on your platform.

Happy WhatsApp-ing!

If you have any issues with completing the procedures above, you may contact our Customer Support team here.

How Singtel leverages WhatsApp Business to drive customer experience

Across social media, news, blogs, and more, customers have been known to prefer texting businesses as compared to emails or calls. To match the pace of these contemporary trends, Singtel has taken full advantage of WhatsApp Business by implementing many, if not all of the features to boost the level of customer satisfaction.

Below are some main aspects or features of WhatsApp Business API that have offered great assistance to Singtel:

• Automated workflow with the chatbot on WhatsApp Business

• Multi-logins for multi-user management

• Enhanced customer experience

Singtel, as a prominent industry leader, has redefined client-facing roles using WhatsApp Business API as the key to driving business growth. As customer relationship holds great importance in a thriving business, their decision to dive deep into social commerce serves as a great reference for all.

Therefore, if your business has yet to explore the powerful potential of conversational commerce, now's probably a good time!