Facebook has announced that it is opening WhatsApp to all businesses across the world with the launch of WhatsApp Cloud API. WhatsApp will now be open for businesses to build & customize their experiences efficiently with WhatsApp Cloud API.
Till now, businesses relied on BSPs (Business Service Providers) to get access to WhatsApp Business API.
But, with WhatsApp Cloud API, businesses will get an instant approval for WhatsApp Cloud API accounts, directly from Facebook for Free.
This blog is a complete guide to knowing what exactly is WhatsApp Cloud API, its features, benefits & how to get it directly from AiSensy in 10 minutes.
At a Glance
- What is WhatsApp Cloud API?
- Difference between On-premise & WhatsApp Cloud API
- Features of WhatsApp Cloud API with AiSensy
- Benefits of WhatsApp Cloud API
- How to get WhatsApp Cloud API for FREE
- How will it affect businesses already using WhatsApp Business API?
- Benefits of WhatsApp Cloud API for new people
- Will you get WhatsApp Business API for Free from now?
- Limitations of WhatsApp Cloud API
What is the WhatsApp Cloud API?
WhatsApp Cloud API is the cloud version of WhatsApp Business API, which allows businesses & developers to build on top of WhatsApp to customize their experiences and respond to customers quickly & easily. It's quick & easy because businesses can get direct approval for WhatsApp Cloud API from Facebook.
With WhatsApp Cloud APIs, any business can:
Earlier, only WhatsApp Partners & Business Service Providers (BSPs) had access to build on top of WhatsApp using WhatsApp APIs.
Businesses took help from official WhatsApp BSP (Business Service Providers) to get approved for the WhatsApp API as Facebook didn't provide direct access to WhatsApp API.
Now, Facebook has removed this restriction by allowing businesses to create & get their WhatsApp Cloud API accounts approved directly from Facebook.
Note - It's really easy to create a WhatsApp Cloud API account & you can do it in 10 minutes (process explained later on).
In just a few minutes, this (WhatsApp Cloud API) will allow businesses & developers to build on top of WhatsApp to customize their experiences & respond to customers quickly & easily. The best business experiences meet people where they are and that's WhatsApp, so I'm excited to open this to businesses everywhere."
Mark Zuckerburg, Instagram
Difference between On-premise & WhatsApp Cloud API
The major differentiating factors between on-premise WhatsApp Business API & WhatsApp Cloud API are:
1. Quick Access - For WhatsApp Cloud API, Facebook provides direct access to the Cloud API in minutes. In WhatsApp Business API, it's the BSPs (Business Service Providers) who act as intermediaries to get businesses approved for WhatsApp Business API.
2. No hosting charges - In on-premise WhatsApp Business API, BSPs undertook hosting charges for WhatsApp Business API.
For WhatsApp Cloud API, Facebook will bear all charges for hosting & providing access.
3. Direct approval from Facebook - Facebook provides direct approval for WhatsApp Cloud API.
For on-premise WhatsApp Business API, BSPs provide access by becoming the intermediaries.
4. No maintenance & upgrade costs - Facebook will bear the maintenance costs for WhatsApp Cloud API while for on-premise WhatsApp Business API, BSPs had to roll out manual updates.
But, aside from the above factors, there's not much difference between WhatsApp Business API & WhatsApp Cloud API.
Now, let's have a look at all features you get with WhatsApp Cloud API.
WhatsApp Cloud API Features
Just like on-premise WhatsApp Business API, you'd need a platform like AiSensy to use Cloud WhatsApp API. Let's look at how you can use WhatsApp Cloud API with AiSensy:
These were the features of WhatsApp Cloud API with a platform like AiSensy. There are multiple benefits of the WhatsApp Cloud API. Have a look!
Benefits of WhatsApp Cloud API
The WhatsApp Cloud API offers:
- Lightning Fast approval for WhatsApp Business API directly from Facebook (in minutes) - Facebook will now provide direct access to the Business API to all businesses across the globe. Businesses only need to contact BSPs (Business Service Providers) for a platform to use WhatsApp Business API.
- You pay nothing - Facebook promises that businesses can get approved for WhatsApp Business API without paying anything.
But, Facebook doesn't provide any platform to use the WhatsApp Business API. You can use the official WhatsApp Business API-based platform AiSensy, to broadcast campaigns and solve for customer support under one platform. - Get New Updates instantly - Get all new updates added to WhatsApp Business API, as now you have direct access to WhatsApp Business APIs via Cloud APIs.
How to get WhatsApp Cloud API for FREE?
You can get started with WhatsApp Cloud API for Free with AiSensy!
AiSensy helps you get WhatsApp Cloud API & provides you with a platform to integrate the WhatsApp Cloud API & use it to connect with users at scale.
Even those who don't have an approved Facebook Business Manager Account. All you need is an active Facebook Account & WhatsApp Account.
Here's the process to apply for WhatsApp Cloud API with AiSensy:
- Signup on AiSensy App
Go to AiSensy Signup Page by clicking here.
You can signup with your Google account or if you use a different business email, fill in the form.
2. Enter OTP (for Form signup only)
If you signed up by filling out the form, you'll receive an OTP on your registered mobile number.
Enter it & press 'Submit' to proceed.
3. Add Personal & Company Details
- Enter important Business details like Company Name, size, industry, billing currency & timezone so that we can customise your experience.
- Once done, click on the “Complete Sign Up” button to proceed ahead.
4. You've now activated the 14-Day FREE Trial
You've now entered your 14-Day FREE Trial which includes:
- Free WhatsApp Cloud API Verification
- Free 2000 Monthly Active Users
- Free 50 WhatsApp Conversation Credits to test out the platform & messaging.
- Access to all features & get going!
5. Click 'Continue with Facebook' to apply for FREE WhatsApp Cloud API
- Click on the “Continue with Facebook” button to start the application process of WhatsApp Business API procurement.
- Make sure you have admin access of the Facebook Business Manager account to continue with the application.
*Note - Make sure to get your Facebook Business Manager Account verified to get complete access to WhatsApp Cloud API. You can get it verified simultaneously while applying for WhatsApp Cloud API or even after procuring the WhatsApp Cloud API.
7. Click 'Get started'
Clicking the button will redirect you to the Meta window where you can apply for WhatsApp Business API.
Click on the 'Get started' button to start filling out the WhatsApp Business API procurement application.
8. Connect your Facebook account with AiSensy
On the next screen, read the permissions shared & click 'Continue' to connect your Facebook account with AiSensy.
9. Select your Facebook Business Account
Next, select your Facebook Business Account which you wish to be associated with your WhatsApp Business API Account.
Reminding you again to verify this Facebook Business Account to enjoy complete access to WhatsApp Business API.
After selecting the one, click 'Continue'.
10. Fill in Legal Business Details
Fill out the WhatsApp Cloud API Account form carefully 👇
- Your Legal Company Name
- Business Phone number - This can be different from the phone number on which you need to get WhatsApp Business API.
- Business website
- Business email
Press 'Continue' to proceed.
*Note - This window might not appear for a few accounts. If it doesn't, there's no need to worry! This won't have any effect on you getting approved for WhatsApp Business API.
11. Add your Business address details
Fill in official details about your company headquarters, location & press 'Continue'.
*Note - Again, this window too might not appear for a few accounts.
12. Create / Select your WhatsApp Business Account
In the next step, you'll need to create a new WhatsApp Business Account or set up an existing business account.
*Note - This is not the Display Name you need for your WhatsApp Business API that will be visible to the end users. This is just the name of your WhatsApp Business Account created inside the FB Business Manager.
To create a new Business account, add your Business name & Timezone and press 'Continue'.
13. Create a WhatsApp Business Profile
WhatsApp Display name is the name that will be visible to your users. If your Display Name is different from the Legal Name of the company, you can provide a relevant business website to proceed ahead and establish the relationship between both.
There are specific rules you must follow to create this Display Name which you can view in this WhatsApp Display Name Guide.
14. Choose the Category & add the Business Description
Pick the category most relevant for your business & add a suitable description (optional) that will be visible to customers when they click your profile button. The description can be added/changed anytime in future as well.
Once you do this, continue to the final step of your WhatsApp Business API application.
15. Verify your WhatsApp Business Number
Last, you need to enter the Phone Number on which you need to get the WhatsApp Business API. Make sure the number is connected and able to receive code via SMS or Voice for verification.
After adding your number, press 'Send Code'.
Finally, add the code you receive & press 'Submit'.
16. Your WhatsApp Business API Application is now under review
Congratulations! 🎉🎉
If you see the above screen, you've successfully applied for WhatsApp Cloud API with AiSensy.
You're one step closer to growing your business with AiSensy.
The majority of reviews are completed instantly (with 10 minutes) - only the Display Name can take max. 3-4 hours to get approved.
WhatsApp Cloud API Pricing
There's a big myth muddying the internet that WhatsApp Cloud API is free. Well, only getting access to WhatsApp Cloud API is free. Aside from that, you still need to pay for conversations as well as a platform of your choosing like AiSensy to use WhatsApp Cloud API.
You need to pay for:
1. User-Initiated Conversations -
Whenever a business replies to a user's message within the 24-hour session window, that message initiates a user-initiated conversation (UIC). Pricing for UIC is Rs 0.35/ conversation in India. Check out the countrywise pricing of UIC & BIC here.
2. Business-Initiated Conversations - When a business initiates the conversation (after the 24-hour session window or as the first message) with a Template message, it's considered a business-initiated conversation. Pricing for BIC is Rs 0.55/ conversation in India.
Read: Know more about WhatsApp conversation-based pricing
What effect will WhatsApp Cloud API have on Businesses already using WhatsApp Business API?
If you already have an approved WhatsApp Business API Account, then WhatsApp Cloud API changes nothing for you! Yes, you can switch to WhatsApp Cloud API, but that won't mean much if you already have an existing WhatsApp Business API Account.
WhatsApp Cloud API is a means to make the WhatsApp Business API more easily accessible to businesses across the globe.
If you're already using WhatsApp Business API with a platform like AiSensy, it changes nothing!
You still get all the features listed in WhatsApp Business API under one single platform i.e. AiSensy.
How will WhatsApp Cloud API help new people who want to apply?
Well, if you're new to WhatsApp Business API & are looking to get your account approved, there's good news.
You can get your account approved within minutes with WhatsApp Cloud API for Free!
Earlier, to apply for WhatsApp Business API, you needed an approved Facebook Business Manager Account. Well, now you can apply & get approval for the WhatsApp API without the FB Business Manager Account approval.
But, you'd have limited access to the WhatsApp API without Facebook Business Verification so we recommend that you get your Facebook Business Manager verified alongside.
Will I get WhatsApp Cloud API for Free?
You can get access to WhatsApp Cloud API directly from Facebook. While you can get the WhatsApp Cloud API for free, you'd still need a platform to use it for communicating with your users. Well, you can do that easily with AiSensy.
Few WhatsApp partners like AiSensy already provide Free WhatsApp Cloud API.
With AiSensy, you can:
Quick-fire these features right now!
Sign up with AiSensy & get WhatsApp Business API for free.
Limitations of WhatsApp Cloud API
The major limitation is that Facebook doesn't provide a platform to use WhatsApp Cloud API. You'd need to connect your Cloud API account with a platform like AiSensy to utilize its potential to the fullest.
Facebook providing a platform for WhatsApp Cloud API is just a myth. Check out 7 more myths about WhatsApp Cloud.
There's another Limitation - You can't use the same WhatsApp number for on-premise WhatsApp Business API & cloud WhatsApp API.
Though, you can transfer your phone number from on-premise WhatsApp Business API to WhatsApp Cloud API.
You can either use a phone number with an on-premise WhatsApp API or with the Cloud WhatsApp API.
WhatsApp Cloud API FAQs
WhatsApp Cloud API is the cloud version of WhatsApp Business API provided directly by Meta, allowing businesses & developers to build on top of WhatsApp to customize their experiences and respond to customers quickly & easily.
You can get access to WhatsApp Cloud API for free, but you'd still need to pay for conversations & require a platform to use Cloud API for communicating with your users.
Yes, Meta will soon provide all key on-premise WhatsApp API features in Cloud API by rolling out new features & monthly updates automatically.
No, the introduction of WhatsApp Cloud API won't have any major effect on on-premise WhatsApp APIs. Both APIs provide the same key features, the only difference being Meta directly provides access for Cloud API. Also, you'd still need a platform to use WhatsApp Cloud API as Meta doesn't provide you with one.
WhatsApp on-premise API is the better choice than Cloud API because you get complete support from WhatsApp partners for onboarding, and queries as well as a platform to use the WhatsApp API. Meta merely provides access to the Cloud API. They don't provide a platform to use the APIs & the support is provided only via emails.
Before you Leave
WhatsApp Cloud API is here to make WhatsApp much more accessible to businesses across the globe.
Mark Zuckerburg's vision is to bring business communication to a platform where the users are most active. The WhatsApp Cloud API is the first step in achieving this!
Much more to come in the upcoming days. Stay tuned.
