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Christian Strauch
Managing Director & Co-Founder
Managing Director & Co-Founder
With Mateo, you provide your customers with an outstanding customer experience and gain loyal fans.
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WhatsApp, with over two billion users worldwide, is no longer just a platform for personal exchange, but has established itself as a central element in business communication. The WhatsApp Business API gives companies of all sizes the opportunity to use this direct and personal communication channel to improve customer service, conduct marketing and ultimately strengthen customer loyalty.
Unlike the traditional WhatsApp Business app, the WhatsApp Business API offers the scalability and flexibility needed to efficiently manage extensive customer communication. With features such as automated messages, newsletters and the ability to integrate WhatsApp into existing software systems, the API is a powerful tool for companies.
But how exactly do companies get access to the WhatsApp Business API? In this article you will learn everything about the requirements and the setup process for the WhatsApp Business API.
Requirements for setting up and using the WhatsApp Business API
The WhatsApp Business API is a powerful tool for optimizing companies' communication processes. However, there are certain requirements that companies must fulfill before they can use the API interface. As direct access to the WhatsApp Business API is only available to a very small number of large international corporations, most companies access the API via a so-called Business Solution Provider (BSP). The WhatsApp API provider of your choice may have additional requirements for your company. As a rule, the requirements listed here must always be met:
Phone number: To set up and use the WhatsApp Business API, you need a cell phone number or a landline number. If you do not yet have a number for this purpose or need several additional numbers and would like to use the WhatsApp Business API with Mateo, we will of course support you.
Accept and comply with the terms of use and general terms and conditions: As WhatsApp is part of the Meta group of companies, companies must comply with the relevant insert paragraph with links to whatsapp commerce policy
Basic technical understanding: Depending on which WhatsApp API provider you choose, a comprehensive technical understanding may be required. The complexity of setting up and using the WhatsApp API depends on the setup process and the software interface of your API provider. At Mateo, you will be guided through the setup process in a personal setup meeting with one of our messaging experts. If you have any problems during the setup or use of the WhatsApp API and if you have any questions, our team will be happy to help you immediately.
By fulfilling these requirements, you lay the foundation for a successful and smooth setup of the WhatsApp Business API.
Setting up the WhatsApp Business API
Setting up the WhatsApp Business API is a multi-step process, the details of which may vary depending on the WhatsApp API provider. The overarching steps are always identical regardless of your chosen WhatsApp API provider:
Step 1: Set up a Facebook Business account: Since WhatsApp is part of Meta, a Facebook Business account is required to begin the application process. Make sure your business profile is complete and up to date. If you want to use all the features of the WhatsApp Business API, you should have your Facebook Business account verified. We strongly recommend verification for all our customers.
Step 2: Choosing a WhatsApp API provider: WhatsApp works with a number of business solution providers who integrate the API and provide a software interface. Choose a provider that meets your requirements, offers a good price/performance ratio, covers the required range of functions and supports the process. If you are interested in the WhatsApp Business API solution from Mateo, you are welcome to arrange a free consultation.
Step 3: Set up the API interface with the selected provider: If you have selected a professional WhatsApp API provider with comprehensive customer service, your API provider will assist you with this sometimes challenging step and guide you through the setup process. Otherwise, this can take some time and effort. At Mateo, the setup is carried out with one of our messaging experts who will personally take the time for you. The complex technical connection to the API, such as server configuration and setting up webhooks, is handled for you by our team.
Step 4: Use WhatsApp API via the provider's software interface: Once the previous steps have been successfully completed, everything should be ready to use the WhatsApp Business API interface. Messages are sent and received via the software interface of your WhatsApp API provider. Meta itself does not provide a software interface for the WhatsApp API.
Reading tip: What do messages via the WhatsApp Business API actually cost? Find out the current prices of the WhatsApp API in this article!
Differences between WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp API
To keep track of the two variants of WhatsApp, all important information is summarized in the following table.
Mateo has even more to offer than just the WhatsApp API interface
Mateo's WhatsApp API interface offers many other advantages and improves your customer communication in dozens of ways. Mateo's comprehensive communication and marketing software has much more to offer than just WhatsApp. Our customers particularly appreciate the following benefits:
- Centralizeduser interface: Mateo combines WhatsApp Business API, email, Instagram, SMS and Facebook Messenger in one central inbox. The intuitive user interface includes various tools for efficient customer communication and saves you valuable working time.
- Integrations: With Mateo you can integrate WhatsApp with over 6,000 software programs and send fully automated messages such as invitations, order confirmations, shipping information, invoices or reminders.
- Newsletter marketing: Send GDPR-compliant newsletters via WhatsApp or SMS and benefit from open rates of over 95%.
- Review management: Mateo can automatically request online reviews from your customers, boosting your Google ranking and trust in your business.
- Data protection: Mateo complies with all German and European data protection requirements and offers end-to-end encryption for secure customer communication.
- Scalability: Our software is suitable for companies of any size and can be expanded indefinitely depending on the package.
- Cost-effective provider: With an entry-level price of just 79 euros per month, Mateo offers excellent value for money.
Arrange a free and non-binding consultation and we will show you how MATEO can meet your communication needs! Simply book an appointment here or write to us via our web widget.
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