What is Whatsapp Business API: The Complete Guide in 2023

Priya Bawa

She has started her career as a Content Writer and writes on blogs related to career.

Source: Safalta

WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging app that is free to use. It allows Android phones and tablet smartphone users, as well as Mac and Windows PC users, to call and send text, photo, audio, and video communications to anyone all over the world for free, independent of the recipient's device.
WhatsApp communicates cross-platform through Wi-Fi, as opposed to Apple iMessage and Google Messages, which need cellular networks and Short Message Service (SMS). WhatsApp's Wi-Fi usage is low-cost, which makes it attractive among users who do not have data plans that offer unlimited phone calls and messages by text. Its cross-platform functionality is also popular among those who have family in other countries, travel overseas, or live outside the United States.
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Table of Contents:
1) What exactly is WhatsApp Business API?
2) The difference between the WhatsApp API and the WhatsApp Business App
3) What is the purpose of WhatsApp Business API?
4) The Benefits of Using WhatsApp Business API
5) WhatsApp Business accounts that have been verified


What exactly is WhatsApp Business API?
WhatsApp Business API is an instant messaging service that allows businesses to communicate with their consumers using WhatsApp. This API, or application programming interface, was initially introduced in 2018, to enable medium to big businesses to send and receive communications with their consumers at scale.

Compared to the ordinary WhatsApp app, the WhatsApp Business API provides more advanced functionality such as automated messaging, chatbots, and connectivity with other business tools that might expedite an enterprise's operations. Businesses may have more customized and effective contact with their consumers by utilizing WhatsApp API, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. Furthermore, by automating specific processes, WhatsApp API may help organizations save time and money.

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The difference between the WhatsApp API and the WhatsApp Business App:
WhatsApp API is the most advanced version of the WhatsApp Business program, which is probably why you have to pay to use it. It is intended for medium and big enterprises looking to improve their reach and client relations.
In addition to the functionality of the business app, this platform provides the following:
  • Integration is the most important characteristic that everyone expects: an open interconnected system that connects all corporate software and WhatsApp! The integration allows you to connect to CRMs, shipping systems, banking systems, and many more systems. 
  • Chatbot: The Whatsapp API supports chatbot integration, allowing for a completely self-service experience.
  • Multiple users: Unlike the business app, the WhatsApp API enables multiple logins, so various team members may log in and chat with consumers at the same time.
  • Storefront: By linking your online shopping cart to Meta e-commerce manager and designating it to your WhatsApp account, you may show your website catalog on WhatsApp. The catalog will be automatically updated and handled.
 
What is the purpose of WhatsApp Business API?
Sometimes we are unaware of our requirements simply because we have learned to live in a certain way. The same is true in business! You may be unaware of your store's requirements since you do not know the solution.
The aforementioned checklist will assist you in determining whether you require WhatsApp API:
  • You're sick of investing too much time personally replying to FAQs from consumers.
  • You want your whole customer support staff to be able to work on the same WhatsApp number at the same time.
  • WhatsApp is used by your consumer base to communicate with loved ones and companies.
  • If you ticked everything on this list, you should have WhatsApp API right away.
  • You want to cut wait times and solve the issue of consumers leaving due to a lack of immediate information.
  • Adoption of the WhatsApp API will result in unparalleled growth. Continue reading to learn how it will influence your business.
  • Because of low open rates and spam reports, you wish to replace automated email and SMS services.
  • You want to increase client outreach and develop your business. 
The Benefits of Using WhatsApp Business API:
WhatsApp Business API has several benefits that can assist organizations in improving customer happiness, streamlining communication, and driving sales. Some of the primary benefits of using the WhatsApp Business API are as follows:
  • Build trust by personalizing client experiences with multilingual assistance.
  • Schedule appointments without the need for phone calls or email chains.
  • Client support should be available twenty-four hours every day, and seven days a week.
  • Simple self-service inquiries can be automated by offering automatic responses to frequently requested questions.
  • Set up automatic answers for particular consumer inquiries.
  • Transfer difficult inquiries to agents with ease.
  • Increase marketing efforts
  • Let's have a look at the differences between the WhatsApp Business API as well as other WhatsApp applications.
  • Use alert update templates to send payment reminders.
  • For commercial communications, choose a strong and secure platform.
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WhatsApp Business accounts that have been verified:
Only the phone number is visible when using the WhatsApp Business App to contact consumers. In contrast, WhatsApp Business API enables organizations to have a WhatsApp Official Business Account (OBA) that displays the business name rather than the business phone number, even if the client has not stored the firm's phone number. In addition, there will be a little green confirmation tick next to your company's name to demonstrate legitimacy and dependability. With WhatsApp Business green tick verification, you may avoid having your WhatsApp Business account banned, saving you the time and effort of going through all the fuss and incurring the penalties of never being able to use that phone number on WhatsApp again.
 

WhatsApp Business API is a service that allows companies to engage with their customers over WhatsApp. This API, or application programming interface, was first developed in 2018 to allow medium to large enterprises to send and receive interactions with their customers on a large scale.

When compared to the regular WhatsApp app, the WhatsApp Business API offers more advanced capabilities such as automated messaging, chatbots, and integration with other business tools that may help an enterprise's operations. Businesses that use WhatsApp API may have more customized and effective interactions with their customers, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Additionally, by automating particular procedures, WhatsApp API may assist organizations in saving time and money.

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What is the outlook for the WhatsApp Business API?

Future WhatsApp Business versions are anticipated to have strong conversational AI capabilities. Allowing businesses to provide speedy and seamless customer service. The market for conversational AI is anticipated to be worth $15.7 billion by 2025. From 2020 to 2025, the economy will grow at a 29.7% CAGR.
 

What is the function of the WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp Business API is a useful tool that allows businesses to engage with consumers on a large scale. Here are some of its important characteristics: Order confirmations, appointment reminders, and delivery alerts are examples of automated communications that businesses can send to clients.
 

When was the WhatsApp Business API released?

During the Conversations event on May 19, 2022, Meta revealed that it will release the WhatsApp Cloud API to any enterprises. This implies that the WhatsApp Business API is now available to all businesses, regardless of size.
 

What is the price of WhatsApp Business API in India?

The WhatsApp API costs the following in India: Pre-paid plan: The pre-paid plan in India has a monthly price of INR 1,500. This subscription provides 1,000 session messages, 500 template messages, and an extra messaging charge of INR 0.50 per message.
 

What does the future of API development look like?

According to Rapid's State of APIs Report, developers considerably boosted their use of APIs in 2022 and aim to continue doing so in 2023. Developers understand that agility is vital for organisations to grow and thrive, and that APIs are the key to acquiring the speed and flexibility required to do so.
 

How many people are allowed to utilise the WhatsApp Business API?

5 users
WhatsApp Business API can be used by up to five people at the same time, with one on the phone and four on linked devices (assuming that none of the linked devices is a mobile phone).
 

Is the WhatsApp Business API secure?

WhatsApp Business API is as safe as the app itself. Even the messages saved are just transitory in order to personalise conversation. In reality, WhatsApp is quite picky about which sectors get access to its API. API is not permitted in adult, gambling, or cigarette enterprises, for example.
 

What are the different kinds of WhatsApp APIs?

  • A text message is a basic text message.
  • A video message contains a video file
  • Images - A communication that includes a picture.
  • A communication in the form of a media template.
  • Audio - A message that includes an audio file.