To integrate WhatsApp Business with Smartping, you need the following:

• Meta (formerly Facebook) Business Manager Account: A centralized platform to manage your business assets, such as Pages, ad accounts, and more. You can create an account at https://business.facebook.com/.
• Business Website: An active and secure website that verifies your business's legitimacy and provides customers with a direct channel to connect via WhatsApp.
• Dedicated Business Phone Number: A phone number exclusively for your business, not previously registered with the WhatsApp Business App or WhatsApp Messenger. This number will be used for your WhatsApp Business Account.

To create a Meta Business Manager Account:

1. Visit https://business.facebook.com/.
2. Click on "Create Account" and follow the on-screen instructions, ensuring you have a Facebook account to associate with your Business Manager.

A business website serves as a verification tool to authenticate your business's legitimacy. It also provides customers with a direct channel to connect with you via WhatsApp, enhancing trust and accessibility.

Yes, you can use an existing phone number for the WhatsApp Business API, but it depends on how the number is currently being used. Below are the three possible cases:

1. Using the phone number on personal WhatsApp
1. If your phone number is currently registered with the personal WhatsApp app, you can use it for the WhatsApp Business API.
2. However, you will need to delete the WhatsApp account from the personal or WhatsApp Business App before onboarding it to the API. This means you will lose chat history unless backed up separately.
2. Using the phone number with another WhatsApp Business API provider
1. If your number is already connected to WhatsApp Business API with another vendor, you must request a migration to transfer it to a new provider.
2. This process requires approval from Meta, and the migration must be done without deleting the number from the existing provider.
3. Purchasing a new phone number for WhatsApp Business API
1. If you prefer, you can purchase a new number specifically for WhatsApp Business API.
2. Ensure the number is not linked to any existing WhatsApp account before registering it with the API.

Before initiating the connection, ensure you have:

• Business Website: A functional website that verifies your business's legitimacy and provides customers with a direct channel to connect via WhatsApp.
• Phone Number: A dedicated business phone number not previously used with the WhatsApp Business App or WhatsApp Messenger.
• Meta Business Manager Account: Access to your company's Meta Business Manager account is necessary for the integration process.

Meta Business Verification is a process by which businesses confirm their legitimacy to Meta. This verification enhances account security and unlocks features like higher messaging limits and access to certain Meta products.

Completing Meta Business Verification is crucial for:

• Increasing daily messaging limits beyond the default thresholds.
• Enhancing the credibility and trustworthiness of your business on Meta platforms.
• Gaining access to advanced features, such as applying for the Official Business Account verification.

To improve the chances of successful verification:

Ensure your company's website is active, secured with SSL, and displays the company's name, address, and phone number matching the Business Manager information.

Use an email address that aligns with your company's website domain.

For phone number verification, ensure you can receive calls; temporarily disable IVR systems if necessary.

Ensure the company's trade name in documentation matches that on the website and Facebook page, or they are related.

For businesses in India, the following documents are recommended (in order of preference):

Certificate of Incorporation.

Business License.

Business Bank Account Statement.

Any official document that supports the registered business's legal name, address, and phone number.

It's essential to ensure these documents are up-to-date and consistent with the information in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) records to avoid discrepancies.

The application process involves:

Accessing your Meta Business Manager account and navigating to 'Business Settings'.

Scrolling down to 'Security Center' and clicking on 'Start Verification'.

Filling out your business details—name, address, phone number, and website—ensuring consistency with MCA records and supporting documents.

Selecting your business category from the generated list.

Confirming the business details to be submitted.

Uploading supporting documents to verify your legal business name.

Verifying your legal business address or phone number by uploading the appropriate document.

Choosing a verification method: receiving a code via call or email or verifying using your business's website domain.

Upon completing Meta Business Verification:

You can increase your daily WhatsApp messaging limit from 250 to 1,000 messages/day without Meta business verification.

You gain access to sending unlimited business-initiated conversations as per your messaging tier.

While WhatsApp is free for personal use, businesses utilizing the WhatsApp Business API are subject to a conversation-based pricing model. This means businesses are charged per 24-hour conversation window, categorized as:

• User-initiated (Service conversations): These occur when a customer messages your business. Businesses can reply freely within a 24-hour window without incurring additional charges.
• Business-initiated (Marketing, Utility, and Authentication conversations): These are proactively started by the business, such as sending notifications or alerts. Each category has different pricing based on the country of the user.

To estimate your costs:

• Review Meta’s official rate card: Meta publishes WhatsApp Business API pricing on its official pricing page, detailing country-wise rates.
• Analyze your expected message volume and conversation type mix: Determine the proportion of Marketing, Utility, Authentication, or Service conversations your business anticipates.
• Utilize Smartping’s dashboard: Smartping provides usage tracking and cost breakdowns for every type of message, aiding in accurate cost estimation.

Meta publishes WhatsApp Business API pricing on its official pricing page. Additionally, Smartping provides pricing insights within its dashboard to assist businesses in understanding costs across different regions.

In the context of the WhatsApp Business API, a chat session refers to a 24-hour conversation window:

• User-Initiated Conversations: A session starts when a user sends a message to a business. The business can reply freely within a 24-hour customer service window without incurring additional charges. Each new message from the user resets this window.
• Business-Initiated Conversations: If a business wants to message a user outside the 24-hour window, it must use a pre-approved message template (e.g., notifications, alerts). This starts a business-initiated conversation, which incurs a charge based on Meta's pricing.

To top up your Smartping’s WhatsApp prepaid wallet, raise a recharge request via email from your registered email account. Ensure you follow the specific instructions provided by Smartping for a seamless transaction.

To ensure uninterrupted service, maintain a minimum balance as specified in your plan. Running out of funds may pause your WhatsApp Business API services, affecting your ability to communicate with customers.

Smartping offers a competitive subscription model with transparent pricing:

• No hidden setup fees: Smartping ensures that businesses are aware of all costs upfront, eliminating unexpected charges.
• Lower costs per conversation compared to direct API providers: By leveraging Smartping’s services, businesses can benefit from reduced per-conversation costs.
• Flexible plans with included chatbot sessions: Smartping provides adaptable plans that cater to various business needs, including allocated chatbot sessions to enhance customer engagement.

Smartping supports:

• Mobile numbers
• Virtual Number
• Toll-free numbers