Introduction
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in over 100 countries, and it is changing how we communicate with each other. Its popularity comes from its numerous amazing features, which have allowed us to communicate seamlessly without paying hefty prices.
WhatsApp is an excellent channel for businesses to communicate with customers. Its dynamic features allow businesses to send personalized and media-rich content that successfully engages customers. But the WhatsApp Business API makes it all more worthwhile for businesses, as they can connect with an unlimited number of customers.
This article will explore how to use APIs to send WhatsApp messages.
What is an WhatsApp API?
A WhatsApp API is a tool or software interface designed by WhatsApp that allows businesses to send and receive bulk messages. Businesses can connect to a many customers using this WhatsApp API. Not to get mistaken, WhatsApp Business API is only available for business, and if you are an individual who wants to share personal messages, you need to use WhatsApp app.
With a WhatsApp API, businesses can send and receive unlimited messages, track message delivery, set up automated messaging, offer quick replies, and integrate WhatsApp chatbots, all while managing everything from a single dashboard.
A masterstroke by WhatsApp is to enable businesses to send product catalogs to customers with in-app purchases, integrating a payment gateway. It significantly diversified the way companies use WhatsApp for their business.
How to use API to send WhatsApp messages?
To start using a WhatsApp API interface for sending messages, it is essential to have a verified WhatsApp Business account, which then integrates with WhatsApp API.
Businesses can connect with WhatsApp Business Service Providers (BSP) to access the WhatsApp business API. Businesses need to host On-premise API themselves. However, businesses can collaborate with BSPs who can host and maintain the software interface in exchange for a fee. It may be a good strategic decision for businesses that don’t have the infrastructure resources and technical knowledge to maintain the API. Â
On the other hand, Meta offers a WhatApp Cloud API without any additional fee. It is hosted and maintained by Meta. WhatsApp Cloud API is a popular option among businesses due to its easy application with Meta, affordability, ease of use, and option to scale their business.
How to set up the WhatsApp Cloud API
With WhatsApp Cloud API, businesses can send and receive media, interactive message templates, and messages.
You can effortlessly include WhatsApp messaging into your business processes, such as order updates, appointment reminders, customer service, and CRM and marketing platforms, by using the cloud API.
For setting up your WhatsApp Cloud API, you can follow the steps below;
- 1. Create a Meta Developer Account: You can create your Meta developer account from developers.facebook.com.
- 2. Create an app: On the Meta Developer dashboard, create an app. Select “Business” as the app type. Fill in the details and click “Create App”.
- 3. Add a product to your app: On your Meta developer dashboard, select and set up WhatsApp on your app. At this stage, you are required to link your Meta business account; if you don’t have one, follow the instructions to create one.
- 4. Setup your WhatsApp business account: Once your Meta business account is linked, you will be redirected to the WhatsApp Business Account Configuration dashboard. Here,
• Set up your WhatsApp business account.
• Add a test phone number linked to your WhatsApp business account.
- Note that you will be testing the successful deployment of your message templates in a sandbox environment, which is a controlled and safe environment for the testing of applications or systems.
5. Add recipients: Add the recipient’s phone number to the test message. Go to the API setup section of your dashboard and add the phone number. You can verify the number with the confirmation code sent on your WhatsApp.
- 6. Send a test message: Send a test message using the pre-approved message template to the recipient using the API message field in the dashboard.
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You should create an official WhatsApp Business Account and add a real business phone number to the API Setup when you’re ready to go-live and send messages to your clients. By doing this, you will be able to communicate with your clients without the restrictions of the test account.
To optimize WhatsApp bulk messaging the WhatsApp Cloud API, which lacks a frontend UI, can be coupled with a CRM. WhatsApp CRM allows you to execute your outreach campaign on WhatsApp by integrating your CRM tool with WhatsApp via the Cloud API.
Benefits of WhatsApp API
Here are a few benefits that WhatsApp API provides for sending messages to customers;
- • Bulk messaging: Generally, there is a restriction on the number of recipients you can send WhatsApp messages simultaneously. But WhatsApp API is the platform for you to send unlimited messages.
- • Real-time analytics: With WhatsApp Business API, you can track various metrics in real-time, like read, unread, delivered, or failed.
- • Automate chats: Though not possible with WhatsApp and the WhatsApp Business app, the WhatsApp Business API lets you automate replies to common customer queries using a bot.
- • Team Inbox: WhatsApp’s team inbox feature allows teams to collaborate for better user support.
Kenyt WhatsApp Cloud API
Kenyt is one of the leading providers of WhatsApp marketing through its WhatsApp Cloud API services and WhatsApp campaigns. It offers a conversational AI and NLP-powered WhatsApp automation chatbot for customer interactions that can boost your marketing and sales conversions.
With Kenyt, you can send media-rich messages that can boost your click rates. Send carousel message type to provide an engaging browsing experience for multiple products or services through a single message. If you are looking to schedule your campaigns, then with Kenyt you can schedule your messages two months before reaching your audience at the right time. Â
Conclusion
In conclusion, you may greatly improve your company conversations by using WhatsApp API. You may increase client interaction, automate jobs, and streamline operations by following the steps in this article. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to revolutionize your business messaging. Investigate WhatsApp Business API’s possibilities now!
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are some typical applications for the WhatsApp Business API:
1. Customer service
2. Order Updates
3. Marketing Campaigns
4. Appointment Reminders
5. Two-way communication
6. Feedback and Surveys
7. Payment Reminders and Confirmations
Monitor essential metrics, such as the following, to gauge the success of your WhatsApp messaging campaigns:
1. Message Delivery and Open Rates
2. Click-through rate, or CTR.
3. Conversion Rates
4. Engagement with Customers
5. Customer Satisfaction
Yes, you may use the WhatsApp Business API to send multimedia messages that include documents, videos, and photographs. However, before you can send the message, you must upload the media to WhatsApp’s servers and get a media ID.
Nisha Sneha
Nisha Sneha is a passionate content writer with 5 years of experience creating impactful content for SAAS products, new-age technologies, and software applications. Currently, she is contributing to Kenyt.AI by crafting engaging content for its readers. Creating captivating content that provides accurate information about the latest advancements in science and technology has been at the core of her creativity.
In addition to writing, she enjoys gardening, reading, and swimming as hobbies.
